Editor’s Note: content warning for mentions of transphobic violence
Some of the people I know make a point of giving me any articles they find in magazines or newspapers that mention LGBTQ issues. Which I appreciate. However, most of the articles are about trans people being murdered, particularly trans women of color, or some politician pushing for legislation in their state which would be harmful to LGBTQ people.
I have come to a point where I don’t know how to feel about this anymore.
I used to get angry about it. Then for a while it just made me sad. Eventually I got around to feeling a need to do something about it at which point I used my position on the University Beyond Bars Education and Equity Team to coordinate API Chaya coming in to WSR to teach a 14 week class once a year on gender socialization, toxic masculinity, and domestic violence. Furthermore, systemic and domestic violence against LGBTQ people has already been brought up as issues we want to explore further in Alliances.
So now, I don’t know what else can be done about it from where I sit and I don’t know how to feel about having done what I can and that being so very little. I actually feel like I’ve done nothing at all because talking about a problem does not solve the problem. It’s a start towards solving things, but is not a solution in and of itself.
Which brings me back to where I began, when I see articles about trans people being killed, or politicians being hateful, it’s talk. It’s not a solution. How am I supposed to feel about that when creating more talk is all I’ve managed and more talk is not in any way going to cut it?
Amber Fayefox Kim 