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. :)
Shannon, I swear we have a similar timeline, last year was my first pride as myself, and it was Seattle Trans Pride as well. This year I’ll be going with a cadre of new friends and my wonderful partner, and if you happen to spot a side shaved trans woman in a flock of other trans and non binary people wearing an alarming amount of summer green (or a very very bold purple) and laughing her head off, please do stop and say hello (should you feel comfortable with doing so). I’m going to be clocky, I’m probably going to be extra and silly and hyper emotional, but goddammit I’ll be me and fuck the haters.
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!
Shannon, I swear we have a similar timeline, last year was my first pride as myself, and it was Seattle Trans Pride as well. This year I’ll be going with a cadre of new friends and my wonderful partner, and if you happen to spot a side shaved trans woman in a flock of other trans and non binary people wearing an alarming amount of summer green (or a very very bold purple) and laughing her head off, please do stop and say hello (should you feel comfortable with doing so). I’m going to be clocky, I’m probably going to be extra and silly and hyper emotional, but goddammit I’ll be me and fuck the haters.
Happy Pride, and I hope to meet you there!
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!
Oh, and Happy Pride
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.