Hi,
A later than usual post today. No great drama or upset, just a busy day as it’s the school holidays.
Out
Child 2.0 and I headed into town – quite possibly, for the first time this year – as he wanted items for the upcoming school prom. I was surprised to see how many more shops had closed up in the Broadmarsh area of Nottingham. I say area rather than the shopping centre, which has been been demolished some time ago. So many To Let signs and boarded up units. It’s like there’s a slow burning fire that’s crept up the hill, touching and closing the properties.
Going Backwards
Talking of Child 2.0, we had a letter from the NHS explaining the government’s block around sourcing puberty blockers for under eighteens. Now, this does not affect C2 at the mo, as he’s still in the queue. Meanwhile, it’ll be four years, give or take, since he socially transitioned at school and has lived full time. But, I feel for any trans teen – and/or their parent(s) / carer(s) – if that gateway to treatment was closed.
With the above in mind, he’s the video version of the podcast, Pod Save the UK. This week, the hosts – Nish & Coco – ask What do the Trans community need most right now? They are joined by Abigail Thorn & Freddy McConnell.
I listened to the audio version as I drove over to visit my folks. It… was not easy to listen to. Well, in terms of words coming out of the speaker and into my brain, yes it was 😉 Perhaps more accurately, it was challenging emotionally and also intellectually.
Emotionally as it feels that at the mo, there’s a few figures in the UK government and NHS, who are actively working against transgender equality. I wish this was not the Cass* – sorry, I meant case. Freudian slip 😉. Cheap puns aside – and no, I don’t mean Cass directly. However, the review has not helped. I think it was a good start, but I now feel it was hijacked along the way. The video will go into that too.
As to intellectually, the discussions made me rethink a few things I’d accepted as true or valid. I think – and listening to others at Chams – we’re seeing some trans people undertake (I’m going to say) processes, to help them be who they need to be. Unfortunately, it seems there’s a growing amount of gatekeeping by folk outside our community.
Nostalgia
Do you remember the old days of YATGB? Mostly posts were about struggling to understand and accept who I was, or where I’d been that month. As much as I don’t get out into the real world, I would love a break from the near constant sniping and a halt to the walls being built to keep trans folk out.
At the risk of mentioning the UK general election, I am hoping the current lot are removed from power, and the new folk stop this war on rights.
L x
Thank you for the reminder to listen to/watch that podcast. It was helpful to listen to it today. If infuriating to be reminded about the barriers being erected at speed by an outgoing administration by the backdoor that seem unlikely to be reversed by any incoming administration; at least it served as a helpful reminder that most people have no truck with such blatant gatekeeping. It also served to highlight that when people seek trans* voices, they can have very good conversation.
Yes, not easy to listen to as you say. Conversely, there’s an article in the Graun today about the rise of neurodiversity…. aaand that couldn’t be more inclusive and respectful.
/S Perhaps we should team up to form a Neuro Critical movement? 😉 b
Because those people with the nonstandard brains, I mean, well, it’s literally all in their heads, so they just need to try and fit in better. 🙄
Moving back to more sensible discussions: yes, letting people who are trans talk – and not to have them have to defend who they are! – is powerful stuff.