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Fuck that sad shit

I'm not saying that I don't get sad. I get sad all the time actually. What I mean is that, often times, when I am seeking to see other trans folks, specifically trans people of color, I am met with narratives of resilience, hardship, strife, heartache, and rejection. These stories need to be told. No one else is going to do it, and when queer narratives are told from outside sources, they water-down versions of the real thing. And while these stories need to be told, what about stories for trans people?

I understand. The true narrative of trans people need to be told. They need to be remembered and retold again. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I guess I get a lot of the bad and ugly. And no, I'm not critiquing anyone person's writing. I mean really, who the fuck am I?? But I am saying that the popular narrative that is told of trans people is the bullshit that we have to overcome to just be ourselves. And that is great. But aren't these stories for people that are unaware of the obstacles of trans people? 

Lately, I've been getting into YA LGBTQIZ+ literature. And the shit is lit. Short chapters, jammed packed with emotion, plot twist, diversity, and a fresh perspective. And even being a librarian, it takes a lot for me to complete a book, so YA lit has a been great. But often LGBTQIA+ literature I find that the stories are about overcoming negative situations. And I get it. Isolation, especially now, is real and debilitating. Finding characters that relate to the readers own real life is essential in fighting isolation and finding commonalities with others, even if they are fictional characters. 

But what about the magic? One thing that I feel like most queer people will agree with: Queer people, specifically trans people, are magic. Even from an indigenous standpoint of two-spirited individuals, trans people have always had a certain mysticism. Does the magic nullify the real humanistics parts of trans people so therefore that representation needs to be limited in society? I don't think so. I know seeing a trans superhero would rock my fantasy. They could be clairvoyant or have fight for LGBT rights in the streets like Luke Cage. 

Or what about the lens duality of trans people? Trans people have lived/are living in two different worlds. The world of larger society where we are all judged by what we look like outwardly. And then the world of queer where we show up in varying different ways. Whether it is a full active member in the queer world or someone who is a part of this world just because they are trans and nothing more, there is a duality in perspective that is rarely discussed. 

And maybe I'm lamenting with no end. It's not like I'm out here writing books. 

Comments

  1. the anxious buttAugust 30, 2020 at 4:49 PM

    Its ok to want more, I think. To ask for it. Also, I think you totally could write books. If that's something you wanted to do

    ReplyDelete

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