A Gentle Reminder

[u/ratt_lungworm]

Hello again, old man Ratt here. The first trans support group that I attended was before many of you were born and that gives me the gift of perspective.

The vast majority of trans folk want to uplift & support fellow trans folk.

The trans experience is a microcosm of the human experience. You will meet all types of trans people- religious, atheists, vegans, scuba enthusiasts, jerks, hippies, cops... Folks from every walk of life. In the same way that you would not expect to get along with fifty people you randomly meet on a sidewalk, you won't click with everyone on basis of transness alone. There are trans folks who are genuinely hateful, but there are far more decent trans folks trying to live in this scary world.

Social media algorithms know the easiest way to guarantee engagement is through enragement. This is important to keep in mind because as a trans person, the media you consume with will skew wildly towards material which provokes and stokes our collective fears and frustrations. If you keep that in mind that the negative skew is by design, it becomes much easier to avoid falling into the despair hole.

Anyway, that's about all I got. Take care everyone.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi! This is just a message to say that this discussion isn't serious. Basic respect is still expected from every message, but also, depending on OP's boundaries, being silly and joking a bit is allowed on these discussions, unless stated otherwise. OP's boundaries will always come first. Always remember to be kind <3

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/CatintheCold]

I am lucky to live somewhere with a huge trans community and to have opportunities that let me meet so many of them. Most people are really great folks. I refuse to let the internet (where it’s easier to lie or be a bot) convince me that any infighting is bad enough to split any of my queer communities.

It was never about who was L, G, B, T. It never was about what the plus really means. It’s that the more of us that choose to stand together the harder we are to push around.

[u/ratt_lungworm → u/CatintheCold]

Thank you, that's exactly the point I was rambling at: solidarity is of utmost importance right now. I am very glad that you have a good local community, it makes so much of a difference to be able to participate and meet people. I am grateful to be in a similar place with a strong queer community, it is what inspired me to write this for the folks who's community is largely online.

On infighting: I think it's sad how much the internet focuses on trans women versus trans men. How is it a surprise to find friction and misunderstandings between men and women? It's the oldest trope in the book! Regardless, trans women and trans men have a significantly better relationship than our cis counterparts.

[u/BugBand]

You’ve really met trans cops? (Genuine question)

[u/ratt_lungworm → u/BugBand]

Deadass.  More than one.