Face of Bosco

As a cisgender gay man, the idea of being treated as man is not strange. People even call me 'sir' sometimes. Go figure. But for Trans people being treated as the gender they truly are, that is a big deal. That is why it is important to remember that addressing someone by the correct name and pronouns is very important:

Proper use of gender identity terms, including pronouns, is a crucial way to signal courtesy and acceptance. Alex Schmider, associate director of transgender representation at GLAAD, compares using someone's correct pronouns to pronouncing their name correctly – "a way of respecting them and referring to them in a way that's consistent and true to who they are."

@npr

I would like any cisgender man to for a second, imagine what it would be like if someone would address them as Ma'am. Many would have a fit. Most would be deathly offended. Oh, it may not happen to you because you may fulfill all the conditions to be perceived as male: dress code, secondary sexual characteristics, height, etc. But what if you didn't? How would that make you feel? 

I have known Trans people all my life. I work in an environment where Trans people are visible and accepted. But many people have never met a Trans person. Ever. That's why Trans visibility is so important. Trans people make up about 1% of the population and they are not seen as a political force. They are the last term under the LGBTQ+ umbrella that bigots feel free to attack. Don't believe me? Well, the deluge of anti-Trans laws we have seen of lately may be able to convince you:

In 2023, anti-trans bills continue to be introduced across the country. We track legislation that seeks to block trans people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to publicly exist: 562 bills; 49 states. 79 passed; 354 active and 129 failed.

@translegislation

That's why I think it's important to let Trans people tell their own stories. The changes you see in @Bosco here, may not seem too salient to you. You're still seeing a pretty girl when the makeup is on. But for the person who has experienced them, they are immense and transcendent. Seeing yourself and presenting yourself the way you know you should look is the most empowering thing that can happen to a person. Especially if they are Trans. BTW, if you don't know any Trans people, maybe it's time to expand your circle of friends. Or maybe you do and do not know it. It happens...

XOXO

P.S. consider donating to some of the following organizations. They help keep the wave of hate coming from the Religious Wrong at bay. And remember, first they came for Trans people and... what did you do?

ACLU

The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

GLAAD

For over 30 years, GLAAD has been at the forefront of cultural change, accelerating acceptance for the LGBTQ community.

Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign works to educate the public about the transgender community and provides resources for transgender and non-binary people to live their fullest lives.

Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.