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there is a judge in Seattle who does the weekly name change hearings, and who says it's her favorite part of the week. she says she doesn't read out previous names, or ask about the reasons why people want to change them. she says it's a beautiful moment, and a celebration; a claiming of a new identity, or a reclamation of an old identity. she encourages the room to clap for folks. then she welcomes everyone up, one by one, by last name and with warmth; she shows them the court order where nobody else can see, asks them to double check the spelling, and then they're done! do they want a picture? do they want their friends and loved ones who came with them to be in it too? do they want the court order in the photo? she helps everyone pose, shakes hands and stands with them for as long as they need to take it, recruits the clerk for help taking photos of the folks who came alone. then she tells them where to go next, congratulates them, and claps along with the rest of the room.

probably three quarters of the people there were trans, and she centered their experience quietly, with love and joy.

I think I'll be thinking about her a lot this January, and for a long time after. it's good to know she's there.

@batshit-auspol congrats ur famous

SOBBING

ok so hear me out

I don't want to participate in cruelty. In meanness, in fear. Sometimes I do, because I'm human and hurt, but most of the time finding some kindness in my heart is what will allow me to endure this cruel world. One of my worst fear is the world hurting me so badly that kindness, trust, and love would not be accessible for me anymore.

I do everything in my power for that to not happen. When I feel my heart closing up, I fight to open it again.

A compilation of my magical ocean-themed illustrations - all of these and more are available as prints until Nov 26th in my store here!

Reading a Terry Pratchett book is literally just: Here's a funny little joke Here's something that you can tell is a joke but don't get and will only figure out five years later Here's a surprisingly cool fantasy concept Here's a unique and well written simile Here's a lil guy Here's something that has aged depressingly well into the modern day Here's something that has aged remarkably queer into the modern day Here's a character that you can barely understand what he's saying Here is the most terrifying and deeply disturbing concept you have ever heard, casually mentioned Here is the dumbest fucking pun you've ever heard but in the best way Here is a quote so profound that it makes you view morality and the world in a different way Here is a plot twist that you can't tell if it's genius or stupid Congratulations! You've finished the book! It has fundamentally changed you as a person and you will never be the same!

no fucking way

the aliens are going to have questions about our world that absolutely no one will ever be able to answer

I agree, queerness is more than gender and sexual orientation, and I have been saying as well that Our flag means death represents these other parts so well.

Belonging together when we don't belong in most places. Seeing another queer practicing self-expression and getting the courage to try ourselves. The childlike wonder afterwards with some make-up or new outfit we would have not allowed ourselves to enjoy before. The community singing along, even when we are not doing a perfect show.

The kindness. Encouraging each other to face our emotions. The messiness and yet the magic of it all.

When Izzy first walked out I was worried that he would be made into a joke that the crew would laugh at

but then he started singing and the dancing began and I realized that he wasn’t meant to be a joke at all. This is the most open and happy we’ve ever seen Izzy and the show treated it that way. Not mocking him but instead celebrating this moment.

When we talk about queer representation it’s usually just focused on queer relationships, but what I love about this episode is it shows other sides of being queer. That moment where Izzy saw Wee John doing his makeup and had a realization that he wanted that too? That is what being queer means to me. The crew singing along and cheering for him? That is what being apart of the queer community means to me.

What i love about this show is that it shows queer joy, not in a sanitized way, but in away that is messy, beautiful, and without any mockery or shame.