"Each step forwards to become the person we are makes it harder to go backwards, to return to the shadowy, private world of closed doors and shuttered windows. The experience, the awakening of one's true self, after being so long suppressed, can never be adequately explained with language." - Lili Elbe
Every transgender person, every person period, deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin. To feel like they are their true selves, and to feel that they are deserving of love. Unfortunately, we live in a world that too often responds to things it doesn't understand with hatred and fear. Too often people put things like their own comfort ahead of the lives of others. They place greater value on the price of gasoline and milk than they do on the lives of children.
And that's why the work of organizations like Trans Lifeline are so important, and why I'm asking you to stand with the transgender community by supporting their work. Trans Lifeline connects transgender people to the community support and resources that they need to not only survive, but to thrive. From resources to make it easier for trans people to come out to their friends, family, and co-workers, to a map of every informed consent hormone therapy clinic in the U.S. The work they do is absolutely invaluable, and you can find out more about it at translifeline.org.
This cause is personal to me, and that's why I'm not only asking you to help me reach $500 raised for Trans Lifeline, but I'm asking you to speak out and make your support for the transgender community known. The next several years will undoubtedly be hard for everyone, but it will be especially dangerous for trans people, but if we all speak up and let the world know that we will not let our trans friends and family members be victims of an evil agenda, then we can make change. We can fight hate with love... and we can win.