Never Mind the TERFs ...

Quadratischer Aufkleber mit dem Text Never mind the TERFs - here's the trans community auf weißem Hintergrund. Die Worte trans community sind im kräftigen Blau auf einem pinken Streifen geschrieben und erinnern an die ausgeschnittenen Buchstaben-Collagen aus Zines. Beschreibung des Künstlers:

10 NEVER MIND THE TERFS - HERE‘S THE TRANS COMMUNITY sticker.

Well, easier said than done.

Also, there‘s nothing such as „the trans community“, we all are a multitude and complex beings, and hopefully there are plenty of communities, that qualify as being made of, by and for a multitude of trans people as well.

And hopefully all these communities are dedicated to be there for, welcome and support the same multitude of trans people, they say they do, and not only some.

I do believe, that community building is the only way to push back against any kind of TERFs. Those, who label themselves as such and also those who say they aren’t, but talk and act otherwise.
Too many times, we are alone, and also left alone with them and their hurtful words and actions.
And too many times, those TERFs and/or their terfy believes are right beyond us.

I also do believe, that many of us grew up with a cissexist and anti-trans (believe) system, that also teaches us, NOT to prioritize us and our own needs and feelings, especially when those misalign with that same system.
It teaches us to have empathy with our haters and hurters first, before we have empathy with ourselves.
It teaches us, that we must understand und support those, who hurt us, before we understand and protect ourself.
It teaches us, that there are „reasons“ why people act hurtful and even violent.
It doesn’t teach us, that being trans is no reason to do anything, especially not, if you’re not trans yourself.
Being trans doesn’t affect anyone else than the person, who is trans themself. Everything else is OUTSIDE of each and every single trans person, and has to be addressed outside of each and every single trans person.
Especially outside of each and every single one of those trans people, who are already singled out, or are singled out by exactly this.

The cistem also teaches us, to prioritize teaching cis people before teaching ourselves.

And in my opinion, too many people these days, trans and cis alike are very busy teaching cis people over teaching ourselves first.
Of course, we can help and support the people that are around us and are interested in unlearning their cissexist believes. I even think we should.
We, most trans people, have been there ourselves and most likely are still in the process of. This is not done in a day.
I believe, this is never „done“ - it’s an ongoing thing.
And I believe, nobody should be a teacher, who doesn’t love learning, and who doesn’t continuously engage with the ever changing learning material.

I believe, this un/learning is best done, when we atune ourselfves with other trans people, especially those with very different experiences than our own, and exchange knowledge, resources and empathy with those other trans people first.

Otherwise a very common thing I witness many people, trans and cis alike, tend to do, is to center cis people and their needs. Again.
And this doesn’t help us, it helps them. Again.

It doesn’t dismantle anything.
Especially not TERFs.
And not any cistem.

To be clear here, there is no clear line between trans and cis people, there are also other things and other margins as well.
There are also overlaps and gaps and exchanges as well as side-hopping, shapeshifting and try-outs.
And ALL of those are valid experiences and viewpoints, that can’t and also shouldn’t be made, or called „untrue“.
We need to embrace all, or we are not supporting anyone.

But there is a clear line between people who hate us and those, who don’t.
Hate shows up in words, in actions, in structures and in riddles.
It also shows up in words, actions, structures and riddles by the same people, who love us, or simply just don’t hate us.
The only difference is a dedication to unlearning, dismantling, support, redistribution and change.

Let our trans communities be a retreat.
Let our trans communities be of center.
Let our trans communities center around us.
Let our communities center those, who need us the most.

The stickers are square with 5cm sides.
They are printed on 95µm white permanently adhesive foil, and have a glossy partial UV-finish on the letters.

They have a nice soft feel and stick very well on especially flat surfaces.

They are meant to be spread not to be kept, but I do encourage to do so with love and only with permission from the owners of the destined surface.