queer family! i love you
a mini round-up of other things i love with a side of collective grief
I started this post a week ago. I still don’t have the proper words to express the collective grief the queer community is holding right now. I am angry, have always been angry, and I will remain angry until they stop killing us.
I’ve been working hard at being nice to myself this week, and I’m urging whoever is reading this to do the same. Read a book that doesn’t bury its gays. Make an angry zine. Scream outside your apartment while it’s cold and sprinkly— bask in the catharsis. Tell your friends you love them.
It’s hard for me to publicly be productive with my anger and grief (and this is true for so many marginalized people). That said, some things I love right now:
I’m finally reading Brandon Taylor’s Filthy Animals and kicking myself for not starting it sooner! These linked short stories are exactly what I needed right now. Taylor’s attention to detail and embodiment is incredible.
My favorite Modern Baseball album, Sports, turned 10 yesterday! I’m currently working on a way-too-long piece about the evolution of their discography and growing up queer and trans along with their sound. (Fingers crossed for the 5+ year hiatus to maybe possibly end?)
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. I know it’s glitchy, but my partner and I have spent a ridiculous amount of time playing since the day it came out. I’ve loved every second of it. Also, the character design options are expansive— both our characters look queer as fuck.
This essay by MM Carrigan on LitHub, “How to Gain a Gazillion Followers Online, Taco Bell Quarterly-style.” I don’t miss twitter as a whole, but I miss TBQ’s encouraging, burn-down-the-establishment tweets. Their substack has been a joy to read.
Trans people. Especially the stranger I met a couple weeks ago who talked with me about being trans in Texas for a generous amount of time. Thank you for existing. We have always been here and we always will be.
What do you love right now? Whatever it is, hold it close.
Some trans organizations doing the work, should you have resources to spare:
Trans Lifeline (they frequently have applications for HRT and name change grants, most of which are reserved for BIPOC!)
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition
Transgender Education Network of Texas
(Bonus: here’s the queer Modern Baseball flag I made for the trivia league I’m in)
