Hi,
I’m having issues at the mo around writing. The ideas come quickly enough and yet I feel I’m self censoring.
Just the other day I started a reply to someone and I stopped. Not because it was mean, unkind, or dodgy: but simply, if I don’t say this, does it matter?
Sharper tongued readers may be asking that about the whole blog…. and they’d not be wrong! 😁
I felt urged to comment – perhaps even satirically – around recent rulings (see here: The Good Law Project and PinkNews here) – but again, why? Those reading this are likely to trans or allies, and in ‘preaching to the choir’ is anything likely to change?
I could spend that energy writing to the /dev/null of disinterest that’s my local MP. But that wee IT joke – for you normal people, it’s where data disappears into the void 🙂 – should tell you the fruitfulness of that activity. Likewise the continued inaction to ban conversion therapy despite cross party support… 🙄
Maybe we should start the lie that trans people cause low tax and assist in wealth obfuscation. Would that prompt progress? 😉 You can add it to the rest of the BS doing the rounds. 🙄
To add to all that, I want to mention that Child 2.0 recently attended the GP to ask about transition options. But… I am torn on this around his privacy.
Perhaps the best I can say is you try your best as a parent – to support, to understand, to love, and prepare your child for life. That and be open – within reason – to help other parents & carers who are ask.
With the hot weather and gap week been Chams, there’s little news on that front.
Oh, I am now somewhat part time at work. I am hoping the drop in money will be manageable and the pay off – so to speak – will be better mental health. 🤞
L x
We write so we are reassured -and reassure others – that we are not alone.
And to follow your ‘preaching to the choir’ analogy, to celebrate our community.
Thank you, Susie. I think that are very wise words.
As I said last time, there’s no requirement to be in top performance mode all the time, or to be on the defensive all the time or to be supportive at the expense of one’s own wellbeing. It’s hot, take it easy, enjoy the extra time out of work and we’ll hear about Chams, or not, as you choose, next time. Sue x
Yes, I’m with you on that and I did listen to your advice last time 💜 Thank you.
I guess…. there’s a disturbance in the T Force – not in a Yorkshire Jedi way (Disturbance in t’Force? I don’t expect the Sith Inquisition) 😉
Hopefully taking a proverbial step back and some time to recharge well help.
I think Sue has hit the nail on the head there, we write not to preach but to support many have be through similar situations but all too often we think we are alone, I hope that the effort we make goes some little way to show support for others. But we also need support ourselves, your child considering transition is a huge step but something that you will be able to show support for simply because you see things from a different perspective to other dads….
Thanks Andrea. I think that’s a really interesting way to look at it. I wonder if I’ve lost my a way a little given what you’ve written? 🤔
What I mean is, have I slipped into wanting to refute, defend, and explain? I very much doubt anything I put here is going to change any ‘anti’ views. This reminds me of the quote about racism and how its near constant drip, pushes folk into wanting (needing?) to correct mistruths. That comes at a cost of not being able to get on with life. Maybe I should – as Ms Swift would say – shake it off.
As to the dad situation…. It’s complex – perhaps understandably! 😁 This is going to sound contradictory: but it’s both a big thing and not. Perhaps it’s the familiarity with people transitioning that’s taken away some of the worry. That and the decision has been some time in coming – and there’s absolutely no rush or judgement on that. I guess we’ll see what the future holds. 🤞
I don’t think you have lost your way, you are struggling with life like all the other people on this earth, we just have to struggle a bit more. We all want to defend our position, we want the world to understand everything from our point of view, but that is the problem. All too often people want others to see their point of view without accepting that there may be opposing and valid viewpoints. I think its about respect, we all need to just accept that we all have our personal view on life and because it might not agree with your individual view that doesn’t make it wrong.
I understand the Dad thing is very complex and difficult, your offspring are very lucky to have a Dad that is able to see both sides of the situation and as a result can support in a way many Dads are unable to……….
Thanks. Parenting is not easy and perhaps it’s a good thing there’s no user guide. Each kid is unique, even if there’s a lot of commonalities in care, raising, and love.
Hmm. Do I want the world to understand it from my point of view? 🤔
Last month their was a discussion at Chams around trans people in sport. The group’s point of view is highly varied and each person shared why they felt that way. We don’t have to all agree, but I do think we need to be respectful. The key thing here is that preferences and views shared in the group are not hostile.
When I look to the nastier ends of human behaviour – yes, I’m judging – there are views that directly affect me, my family, and my community. There’s points in which we move from concern to bullying to hurting.
I feel there’s a growing tide of events that are a threat to the Trans community. I don’t like writing that, because I feel it makes me sound like a conspiracy theorist. Yet, look to the USA, Russia, certain European states, the UK Conservative party, etc; and it’s worrying, if not scary.
I’m going to be blunt and say gender dysphoria can kill. I’ve lost friends to it and I know the deep, crushing anguish from those who’ve battled against it. We may need to fight to keep our rights to keep being who we are and that is something I didn’t think I’d need to write in the 21st century.