Write my MAP Reflection: Week 14
Week 14 reflections
As I reflect on the last week and everything that has happened, and all the work that was done, I found myself contemplating a question. I cant get it out of my mind, and as I witness the attempts at erasure and see yet another story of spiteful and hateful murder of another beautiful human being, I just cant wrap my mind around it.
Why is there so much hatred towards trans people?
There is the intense hatred that has been increasingly intense towards trans people. Trans people have existed since the beginning of time, and in many cultures over history trans people have been regarded very highly and even seen as holy people. Trans people are fully human, deserving of dignity and respect and the same opportunities to live and thrive that many of the rest of us have. Yet, in these allegedly advanced days, the vitriol and hatred towards trans people has reached a height that literally makes no sense.
I cant understand for the life of me, why the existence of trans people and their demands to be allowed to live and receive medical care or get jobs and pursue liberty like everyone else does, threatens any body else’s life or liberty. What is so threatening about a trans person?
The level of hatred has risen back to the point where it is acceptable and somehow desirable to pass laws requiring trans people to be deadnamed and denied legal documents, denied medical care that affirms them, and denied safe housing. Laws that allow them to be fired from jobs, or not hired in the first place, because of who they are. Laws that require those who may be incarcerated to be housed with those of the same gender they were assigned at birth, even though this puts them at significant risk. Directives that allow for data about trans people to be deleted, the “T” to be removed or covered over, stories and images and art that celebrates or even acknowledges trans people to be destroyed. All of this supports an environment where it is acceptable to some to go so far as to beat a human being to literal death if they are suspected of being trans.
Someone make it make sense why the common enemy is a trans person? Why is the secondary enemy is anyone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual, or two spirit?
Why does our existence threaten so much that those of us within the LGBTQIAP2S+ community must be eradicated? What is it about you that makes you hate and fear us this much? I don’t understand, and I am done trying. I choose love and joy over hatred and fear.
T
It is human to refuse
To refuse to be silenced and denied dignity
Even when faced with brutality
It is courage to live
And to live as you are
Not the way everyone else tells you to be
It is brave to look inside
And notice the labels placed on you do not describe
Who lives inside your skin
It is beautiful to transform
To become who you always were within
Moreso when you defy the safety of social norms
It is strength to defy the odds
To refuse to hide away
To celebrate love and nurture joy
I’ll be back next week.