On the "pick your lane" advice, I think the thing that trips me up most is I feel like I'm expected to pick the "trans rights" lane because I'm trans, but the thing I'm actually most passionate about and make time to work on every year is voting rights and access. I don't think I'm wrong to put my focus there, but it still feels weird, like I'm letting our community down or something. What are your thoughts?
Hey friend! This is a fantastic question. I think it's not just good to find passions outside of your specific identity—it's necessary in making sure all our movements fight for all of us! I love trans voices in the conversation for voting rights (especially when it comes to conversations around voting ID laws!), I love having disabled voices in the climate justice movement to ensure the future is both livable and accessible, I love having men driving change among allies in feminist spaces.
For some people, it can also be really painful to focus advocacy work on our own identities. Losses feel more personal and conversations can get defensive really quickly. It's a strategic move for you to go where you can make the biggest difference without draining yourself.
You aren't letting our community down at all—and folks who make you feel that you are should focus on making the changes they can! We are all trying to build a better world, and everything is connected anyhow!
Thanks for this. I've seen several people on Substack trying to force others into whatever action they're taking. Not everyone is cut out for battle on the front line.
Hi Ben,
On the "pick your lane" advice, I think the thing that trips me up most is I feel like I'm expected to pick the "trans rights" lane because I'm trans, but the thing I'm actually most passionate about and make time to work on every year is voting rights and access. I don't think I'm wrong to put my focus there, but it still feels weird, like I'm letting our community down or something. What are your thoughts?
Hey friend! This is a fantastic question. I think it's not just good to find passions outside of your specific identity—it's necessary in making sure all our movements fight for all of us! I love trans voices in the conversation for voting rights (especially when it comes to conversations around voting ID laws!), I love having disabled voices in the climate justice movement to ensure the future is both livable and accessible, I love having men driving change among allies in feminist spaces.
For some people, it can also be really painful to focus advocacy work on our own identities. Losses feel more personal and conversations can get defensive really quickly. It's a strategic move for you to go where you can make the biggest difference without draining yourself.
You aren't letting our community down at all—and folks who make you feel that you are should focus on making the changes they can! We are all trying to build a better world, and everything is connected anyhow!
Thanks for this. I've seen several people on Substack trying to force others into whatever action they're taking. Not everyone is cut out for battle on the front line.
Thank you for the reminder about Tower Grove Pride. I miss it EVERY YEAR!!!
I’ll be there too this year!! I’ll be there basically the entire time either wandering around or at the PFLAG booth!
It's my favorite Pride festival in St Louis! Nice cool weather and plenty of space to walk, with lots of handmade stuff from the community!