So many thoughts...I just attended a weekend, er, event where I wasn't kept away (my Venmo payment was enthusiastically accepted) but where I didn't really belong. And I had an inkling going into it that this was going to be the case. My mere presence often confounds carefully calibrated social algebra, and I have no interest in watching other people do math problems.
But the reason I find myself in these situations is because I no longer really pick and choose my extracurricular activities based on whether they are trans-friendly, or LGBT-friendly, or 'inclusive." I want to be out in the world, not just preaching visibility, but actively "rubbing people's noses in it," as Republicans are fond of saying.
So I don't know what the solution is, other than to keep demanding that people treat me the same as they would treat anybody else.
I really appreciate you sharing, Monique and adding to the conversation. I LOVE the fact that you don't seek spaces "meant for you" and instead make the world your playground. That takes a courage that most people will never understand. At the same time, I wish we didn't even have to have this discussion and that people in our "free" country could feel safe and welcomed in most spaces. We're far from that. Thank you for being you.
Thank you for this post. The irony that you could be "included" in the GATI if you altered your book title (and didn't say it AT ALL!). "Change everything so that WE can feel better about INCLUDING you." Wow.
Yes, that's a great point. I think that's a big part of the current struggle with inclusion-- the idea that "I will let you in so long as I don't feel like your existence affects my identity."
A truly meaningful post. Well articulated, and so relatable! 💙 🌈🫶🏽
Thank you! That means a lot.
So many thoughts...I just attended a weekend, er, event where I wasn't kept away (my Venmo payment was enthusiastically accepted) but where I didn't really belong. And I had an inkling going into it that this was going to be the case. My mere presence often confounds carefully calibrated social algebra, and I have no interest in watching other people do math problems.
But the reason I find myself in these situations is because I no longer really pick and choose my extracurricular activities based on whether they are trans-friendly, or LGBT-friendly, or 'inclusive." I want to be out in the world, not just preaching visibility, but actively "rubbing people's noses in it," as Republicans are fond of saying.
So I don't know what the solution is, other than to keep demanding that people treat me the same as they would treat anybody else.
I really appreciate you sharing, Monique and adding to the conversation. I LOVE the fact that you don't seek spaces "meant for you" and instead make the world your playground. That takes a courage that most people will never understand. At the same time, I wish we didn't even have to have this discussion and that people in our "free" country could feel safe and welcomed in most spaces. We're far from that. Thank you for being you.
Thank you for this post. The irony that you could be "included" in the GATI if you altered your book title (and didn't say it AT ALL!). "Change everything so that WE can feel better about INCLUDING you." Wow.
Yes, that's a great point. I think that's a big part of the current struggle with inclusion-- the idea that "I will let you in so long as I don't feel like your existence affects my identity."