Ok I chickened out. Are these kinds of posts mean?

I have no idea how to word the title in a way that both encapsulates what Im talking about and doesn't sound like something a tik tok-ass crystals person would say.

I started HRT in two phases, first came spiro and some months later came estrogen. The reasoning behind the multistage approach was ultimately very silly and totally irrelevant to this topic. However the experience of starting an antiandrogen and estrogen source seperately was very interesting.

Spiro was like waking up for the first time in over a decade. Estrogen had a myriad of more subtle cognitive, almost spiritual effects. I could feel the existence of an authentic self at my core in a way I hadn't been able to before. I described the feeling as "getting my body and my life back from someone who couldn't handle it anymore". This was well-prior to coming out and girlmoding fulltime.

Over time, many (but not all!) of the memories from before this began to feel like they belonged to someone else. Some felt like the recollection of stories I had been told, rather than events I had lived through. Some had a perspective shift, I was no longer the participant, but an observer, someone standing in the corner of the room or in the "backseat" of my own mind.

I've heard of a handful of similar experiences from other, equally transgender ladies but nothing quite like this. Some of my friends have suggested that what I'm describing are symptoms of an altogether more serious personality/disassociative disorder... but I dunno about that (my therapist had doubts too) and thats really scary anyways.

So like, can anyone else relate or am I just really really unwell?

Pic unrelated

I love waffles :3 easily my favorite breakfast food. Developing different recipes has been so much fun! Lately I've been having one with lots of ground flaxseed and it has been keeping me quite regular. I'll have one or two of those in the morning with some tofu breakfast/lunch "meat" and a bit of cheapo syrup. There also was a version with pea protein powder that worked out pretty well but I neglected to write down the recipe, oops.

Vegan waffle recipe

Makes 4-5 "standard" belgian waffles, actual amount will vary based on what kind of waffle iron you use.

Equipment

2 bowls, preferably with pouring spouts

Whisk

Measuring cups and spoons

Waffle Iron

Optional: Using a rubber spatula/scraper will help when pouring the batter into the waffle iron.

Dry mix:

1 cup white flour

2-3 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

Optional: 1-2 teaspoon powdered cinnamon or blend of "sweet" spices.

Wet ingredients:

1 cup plant milk (see notes)

1 tablespoon neutral tasting cooking oil

Optional: 1/2 tablespoon breakfast syrup or granulated sugar will add some flavor and improve the texture of the crust.

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl until combined, set aside

2. In a seperate bowl, preferably one with a pouring spout, whisk the wet ingredients together vigorously, if using granulated sugar whisk until it is dissolved.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient bowl and mix until combined but still slightly lumpy. Allow the batter to sit for at least five minutes so the flaxseed can hydrate.

4. Make the waffles, portions and waffle iron operation will vary. Consult the manual or wing it carefully.

Notes:

• This recipe may take longer to cook fully compared to other mixes. Ultimately the steam produced by the cooking process is always an accurate indicator of doneness.

• The dry mix can be made well ahead of time, a double batch fits nicely into a 32 oz deli container.

• Adjusting the amount of plant milk will make the waffles more or less dense, experiment and adjust to preferences. 2/3 cup dry mix to 1/2 cup wet mix (or 1 cup to 3/4 cup) is my preferred ratio.

• The batter keeps well overnight if refrigerated in an airtight container but you will need to add a little more liquid and stir thoroughly because it will be very thick.

• The batter dries like cement, wash the bowl immediately after using.

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Synchronicities are fun.

I moved recently and as I was unpacking (and dusting, and delabeling, and undeadnaming) my music collection I came to notice that two of my CDs (Sarah McLachlan - Solace and Indigo Girls - Indigo Girls) had the same name written on them in the same handwriting. The name is pretty uncommon, and the same as the last name of a guy I had met a couple months ago. It was a long shot but I texted them a picture of the two cd's next to eachother and asked "Do you have any relatives who are/were into artists like Sarah McLachlan and the Indigo Girls?"

To which they replied "Yes, my mom. That's her handwriting."

We later got confirmation from their mom that these actually were hers before her ex husband threw her entire collection away over a decade ago. I have offered to return them to her but have yet to receive a response. Kinda hope she lets me give them back to her, I like the way that it would bring things full circle.

What really gets me about all this is that I picked up the copy of Indigo Girls a little over seven years ago and the copy of Solace this year, in a location about 200 miles away.

I just thought that was neat and felt like sharing.

Is that bad?

Can you believe that before they invented ice cream cones youd walk up to the stand, place your order, and the guy would have a scoop of your shit and be like "yo wheres the bowl" and if you didnt have a bowl youd be like "I dont have a bowl" and the dude would get pissed, like PISSED and shoot you in the face and youd die. and youd really die because its was the 1800s and they hadnt invented doctors yet.

Wow.

Ice cream cones.

I was clickity clack clack clacking away on my Olivetti 32 writing greetings to new neighbors this afternoon and I remembered how satisfying, how fun this is. I also totally forgot how the workflow went, but figuring that out again was enjoyable. My handwriting is kinda shit and a computer printout lacks soul so I find the typewriter is a happy medium for personal correspondence. I aught to do this more. My personal machine is from '63 and I'm thinking she needs some work done to the platen because its hard as a rock and the paper keeps sliding around in imperceptibly small amounts that add up over time. Thinking of doing the "bike tire shrink wrap" trick but that makes me nervous. Removing the platen on a machine like mine is a very involved process as well, rather intimidating.

Anyone else enjoy working with typewriters?

I went back to work on my writeup, I will return to finish this tomorrow.

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As a reminder, please do not discuss current struggle sessions in the mega. We want this to be a little oasis for all of us and the best way to do that is not to feed into existing conflict on the site.

Also, be sure to properly give content warnings and put sensitive subjects behind proper spoiler tags. It's for the mental health of not just your comrades, but yourself as well.

Here is a screenshot of where to find the spoiler button.

spoiler

This was at some department store. The doors had keypads on them so I went back to the entrance to ask this kid if I could be let in. The dude gives me a smug little smirk and radios for someone to meet me back there. No one showed up after like seven minutes and as I left the aformentioned mall operator was going through some poor ladys cart item by item. I was later able to find an unsecured restroom a block away.

Even the strip malls have gone mask-off, this shit sucks.

I've had a lot of conversations with cis people about the trans experience and most of these have been cordial, if not enjoyable! While most of the points raised when discussing the struggle for trans liberation elicit sympathy from these people the topic of minors transitioning tends to get the strongest and most oppositional responses. They seem to believe that the possibility that someone may regret transitioning for identity or reproductive reasons justifies blanket bans on transitioning for minors. I've also heard concerns about gender affirming care being used as an avenue for medical abuse, of which I am unaware of any verified cases.

How does one approach the topic of trans liberation for trans minors? Obvously debatelord antics aren't going to win hearts and minds but there has got to be some narrative angle that resonates with cis people or otherwise dispells their fears of cis children coming to harm.

• Link To Transgender Law Center Statement
  Text

Transgender Law Center Condemns SCOTUS Opinion in Hecox and BPJ

NATIONAL – Transgender Law Center decries today’s ruling by the Supreme Court in West Virginia v BPJ and Little v Hecox, which greenlights discrimination against transgender youth who want to participate on sports teams that match their gender identity. The majority opinion, fully supported by all six conservative justices, allows the sports bans in Idaho and West Virginia to stand.

“Today’s sweeping ruling is a huge overstep of this court’s power to push ideology over honoring basic civil rights,” said Shelby Chestnut (they/he), Executive Director. “We know a future is possible where every person, no matter who they are, has the freedom to live and thrive as their authentic selves. Our people are organizing in every community to make our voices heard, hold our leaders accountable, and build a world that works for all of us.”

All nine Justices upheld the sports bans on the basis of Title IX. The majority opinion also ruled that these bans are not a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. In the dissenting opinion, Justice Sotomayor noted, “In the end, to the Court, the facts do not matter, even though the consequences are serious.”

“It is egregious that the Supreme Court authored this opinion, upholding these clearly discriminatory bans,” said Shawn Thomas Meerkamper (they/them), Managing Attorney. “Every young person deserves to move through life free from discrimination or exclusion. We are steadfast in pursuing every legal avenue possible to ensure all youth, including transgender youth, can belong.”

While the long-term impact of the Court’s ruling is not yet known, this will likely affect civil rights protections for transgender people in many other areas.

“We have always known that the courts have never been a validator to our worth or our existence,” said Mariah Moore (she/her), Director of Policy & Programs. “Time and again, our civil rights have been fought for and won when we show up together and make our demands crystal clear. No matter who is in power, we will continue banding together to create a future where every person can live freely as themselves.”

Transgender Law Center filed an amicus brief in the case to uplift the lived experience of transgender athletes and the importance of sports in their lives. Read their stories here.

Today, the Supreme Court also issued its decision in Trump v Barbara. In a 6-3 decision, the Court struck down the administration’s Executive Order targeting birthright citizenship, holding that the order violates the 14th Amendment.

“All of us, no matter where we come from, deserve safety and belonging in the place we call home,” said Isa Noyola (she/her), Director of the Border Butterflies Project. “The ruling today reaffirms that everyone born in this country deserves recognition, rights, and the freedom to participate in our society. We all belong here, and we will never stop showing up to create a world where current and future generations can thrive.”

• Link To Erin Reed Article

Both of the above links are worth the read but the tl;dr is:

• Discrimination against trans student athletes is ok, school bathroom bans may be as well.
• Ruling is narrow and does not remove other protections for trans people, but may open up other avenues for attacks.

If I'm understanding this correctly, this is basically saying that sex-segregation policies in schools do not violate the rights of trans students.