Spending Christmas with a transphobic family advice

I read an article from "Pink News" about spending time with a transphobic family at Christmas and I thought I'd do something similar.

that

1. If you're in immediate Danger, take yourself out of the situation if you can and ring the police

2. Talk to a friend you trust or another family member that isn't transphobic (if you're sure they won't share what you say with those who are). Talking can help sometimes.

3. Violence and abuse is NOT your fault no matter the excuse given

4. Plan an exit strategy - think about your worst case scenario - leaving in a hurry, what would you need? ie money, id, other important documents. Pack a bag of clothes and think about where you'd go to be safe. You can always go to the police for help.

5. Keep your mobile phone charged and handy

6. Your safety and well-being is more Important than getting the last word in

For some of us Christmas is the day we await for every year. Opening presents, eating turkey and sprouts spending time with family. But for some it's torture, families can be a pain and when they're transphobic it can be hell. So here's some responses to those pesky transphobic relatives you're forced to spend some time with.

"But there's only two genders!"

Gender is a spectrum. Even if you "don't believe in it" it's still a spectrum. So no there aren't just two genders

"You're born as a boy or a girl! Sex = gender"

"Girl", "Boy", "Man" and "woman" are to refer to gender identities rather than biological sex. Gender is how someone feels inside (gender identity) often expressed via clothes, name and pronouns they use (gender expression).

"Why are you trying to make boys be girls?"

No one is trying to make anyone be anyone. We're actually just letting people be people: girls being girls and boys being boys. Trans girls are girls and trans boys are boys. And even some people aren't either or more than just the one.

"Trans people didn't exist back in my day"

Yes they did! They just didn't tell people because they were murdered and raped. Would you want to tell people something that would get you assaulted?

"There aren't that many trans people in the world"

According to a 2016 UCLA study nearly 2 million people are out in the USA and 650,00 in the UK. However it's almost impossible to know how many there are as people are still closeted.

"we said {offensive word} back in my day"

times change

"it's a mental illness"

Homosexuality was once classified as a mental illness; and, hopefully, we've moved past that now.

stay safe this Christmas and my DM's are always open if you need an escape or some advice.

:santa: MERRY CHRISTMAS :santa: