I am very keen to find this book in the library or purchase it as just these few excerpts have resonated with me so much. I often feel that with my queerness and identity as non-binary, that it is a push and pull experience where I am fighting against myself but also others perceptions of me. I am constantly restraining myself from wearing clothes that I would feel more comfortable in (traditionally feminine presenting) for valid and experience related fear and trauma of harassment, assault and homophobia. It is true that it is possible to feel so liberated and free when you stop pedalling the idea of your on inferiority, it is just a big blow when someone else destroys (or at least attempts to) the self progress you have made towards the version of yourself you know yourself to be.

I am very grateful for the safe queer spaces that are available to me, and also the love that these spaces contain. The act of protest of me expanding these spaces to include local shops, my workplace or a cafe is a risk and a struggle simultaneously.

This notion of ‘tiptoeing’ resonates with me too, where I have also experienced people flat our ignoring topics to which they find uncomfortable. I don’t see the gain to them personally, why not show support for something that you don’t disdain?

I will return and update this blog post further once I have read more of the writings within.