I attended Pride for years as an ally, as a friend. And to support my beloveds who are Bi- or Pan-.
This is the first year I've attended AS a member. First year since my egg cracked for good. First year as ME. And it was as different as chalk and cheese. I'm wearing my cute trans pride kitty t-shirt from Tee Turtle. Various cute earrings. Skirt and trans pride stripy socks. And I get SO many people telling me "I love your shirt!" "I love your socks". "You look SO pretty!!". My wife telling me how beautiful I look. Random hugs and meeting new friends, new siblings. The random crying jags because I am hormonally a 13 year old girl and everything is just so amazing.
And that was just a smaller local Pride. I'm going to Seattle Trans Pride end of the month. Seattle Pride the following Sunday. Last year I went to Trans Pride just barely out of my eggshell, just taking those first weak flaps of my wings. Absolutely overwhelmed with the realization of who I really am.
A year later, I know EXACTLY who I am. A wife. A geologist. A scientist. A partner. A geeky girl who is finding her style and her joy. I am Shannon, and I could not be happier.
Oh, and one note. One of my fellow grad students is transmasc. Another one of my cohort has been taking his empty T vials and making them into mini vases, fairy lights, and other little things like that. May have to ask what she would be willing to do with my empty E vials. :)
I will more than likely be there, blue or purple shirt and a denim skirt. And my trans pride stripy socks. :). Don't know if I'll be with my spouse/nesting partner, or by myself. And would love to say hi!
Gosh, how this fabulous email resonates within me. I was ashamed of myself from my earliest memories. Like over 60 years ago when, in nursery school, I wanted to practice curtseying with the girls, and disappointed when the cloth in my trouser legs wouldn't pull out the way their skirts did. I tried anyway, but keeping a sharp eye out to confirm that no one witnessed me.
It's now been seven years since I started my transition and OMG such a journey. I remain a little self-conscious but nothing like early on.
I am volunteering at the Seattle Pride Parade on the 30th and also did at Pride in the Park a week ago. Such a wonderful group, the Seattle Pride organization, the vendors, the attendees, all full of joy!
I'll be at the Pride Parade too, marching in the Rainbow City Band with a purple cello. Yes, that's actually a thing. If you run into me, be sure to say hi!
I'm going to be a Block Captain, meaning that I'll be making sure that the marching groups are lined up in their proper places in a block before the start. I don't know which block I'll have but it's possible that you'll be in mine and if so I'll look for you and your cello!
And I feel you on the curtseying. I'm in a medieval recreation group, and It's been fun reprogramming the spinal reflex of a bow into a curtsey. Have I been practicing? Why yes, yes I have. :)
Wow. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I finish reading this. I still need to do a lot of work to unburden the parts of me that have been holding shame for so long, but now I know that that’s what I have to do. Thank you.
Thank you for this Doc. It's beautiful, heartfelt, and oh so very true. I'm crying tears of joy. 💯 💜
Awwwwwww 💜
Happy Pride.
Indeed. Happy Pride! 😂
I attended Pride for years as an ally, as a friend. And to support my beloveds who are Bi- or Pan-.
This is the first year I've attended AS a member. First year since my egg cracked for good. First year as ME. And it was as different as chalk and cheese. I'm wearing my cute trans pride kitty t-shirt from Tee Turtle. Various cute earrings. Skirt and trans pride stripy socks. And I get SO many people telling me "I love your shirt!" "I love your socks". "You look SO pretty!!". My wife telling me how beautiful I look. Random hugs and meeting new friends, new siblings. The random crying jags because I am hormonally a 13 year old girl and everything is just so amazing.
And that was just a smaller local Pride. I'm going to Seattle Trans Pride end of the month. Seattle Pride the following Sunday. Last year I went to Trans Pride just barely out of my eggshell, just taking those first weak flaps of my wings. Absolutely overwhelmed with the realization of who I really am.
A year later, I know EXACTLY who I am. A wife. A geologist. A scientist. A partner. A geeky girl who is finding her style and her joy. I am Shannon, and I could not be happier.
Oh, and one note. One of my fellow grad students is transmasc. Another one of my cohort has been taking his empty T vials and making them into mini vases, fairy lights, and other little things like that. May have to ask what she would be willing to do with my empty E vials. :)
I made my first two estrogen vials into earrings for Pride. I very much recommend it!
Oh, and Happy Pride
I will more than likely be there, blue or purple shirt and a denim skirt. And my trans pride stripy socks. :). Don't know if I'll be with my spouse/nesting partner, or by myself. And would love to say hi!
Gosh, how this fabulous email resonates within me. I was ashamed of myself from my earliest memories. Like over 60 years ago when, in nursery school, I wanted to practice curtseying with the girls, and disappointed when the cloth in my trouser legs wouldn't pull out the way their skirts did. I tried anyway, but keeping a sharp eye out to confirm that no one witnessed me.
It's now been seven years since I started my transition and OMG such a journey. I remain a little self-conscious but nothing like early on.
I am volunteering at the Seattle Pride Parade on the 30th and also did at Pride in the Park a week ago. Such a wonderful group, the Seattle Pride organization, the vendors, the attendees, all full of joy!
I'll be at the Pride Parade too, marching in the Rainbow City Band with a purple cello. Yes, that's actually a thing. If you run into me, be sure to say hi!
I'm going to be a Block Captain, meaning that I'll be making sure that the marching groups are lined up in their proper places in a block before the start. I don't know which block I'll have but it's possible that you'll be in mine and if so I'll look for you and your cello!
I played pink neon strings on one of my electric basses for a while.
Hey, one of my harps is purple, so I am NOT about to knock any other purple string instruments. :)
I might just see you there then! :)
And I feel you on the curtseying. I'm in a medieval recreation group, and It's been fun reprogramming the spinal reflex of a bow into a curtsey. Have I been practicing? Why yes, yes I have. :)
I didn't know I needed this today, but here I am really thinking deep about childhood/adolescent shame.
🫂🫂🫂
Oooooooof 😭
That’s a biggie
I’ve just been to my first pride (even tho I think we began our journeys at similar times)
💪🏳️⚧️🥳🏳️🌈💕
Happy Pride!
💜💙💚💛🧡❤️🤎🖤🤍🩷🩵🩶 my neuro-spicy, gender-non-conformant self dancing with *sparkles* ✨💃🧚🏳️🌈🥰🏳️⚧️🔥💣💥♾️
Important points not easily achieved, I observe.
Saturday is our third annual Pride riverboat cruise here in Prejudice Central.
The vaspider essay!!! Yes!
Wow. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I finish reading this. I still need to do a lot of work to unburden the parts of me that have been holding shame for so long, but now I know that that’s what I have to do. Thank you.