Pride Month
Looks like June has rolled around once again. Happy pride month, folks! We've come a long way, but we still have lots of progress to strive for and achieve, and we especially need it now. I just wanted to quickly list off some things I think more queer people should understand and accept and promote, so that we can all grow just that bit stronger and more resilient:
Pronouns, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression don't need to "match". You can be bisexual and aromantic, or vise versa; you can be a trans man who still goes by she/her/hers pronouns; you can be a straight femboy; you can be non-binary, or genderqueer, or genderfluid, and not express it in any "noticeable/obvious" way; you do not have to had experienced dysphoria or undergone any kind of medical procedure to be valid as a trans person.
No one is owed justification or explanation of how you identify, refer to or describe yourself, how you feel, or how you choose to express or not express any of that. You have no obligation to conform to other people's opinion on what you 'should' be, do, or act like.
Generally less recognized identities like genderfluidity, genderflux,intersex, two-spirit, demigender and demisexuality, gender-non-conforming or questioning, etc. are all just as valid and worthy of recognition and respect as the more commonly-known lesbian, gay, transfem, transmasc, etc.
And for the fellow bisexuals:
You are valid if you have a preference for a particular gender or never dated or had sex with someone of a particular gender. A guy who is into guys 98% of the time and 3% of the time for people of other genders is 100% bisexual. It's not "mostly gay", "faking it", "confusion/indecisiveness", or a "phase". Being about equally attracted to guys and others doesn't make him "half gay/half straight" either. He is still 100% bisexual.
Being bisexual doesn't not mean you're unfaithful, interested in polyamoury or sex with more than one person, more sexually active or open or promiscuous, or at increased risk of contracting or spreading STIs.
Bisexuality not excluding of trans identity; it is trans-inclusive.
Pansexuality refers to attraction to people regardless of their gender, but someone technically fitting that criteria can still choose to identify as bisexual. Again - you chooses to identify is their choice only.
Bisexuality does not have to match your romantic attractions. Your bisexuality is still valid if you only are only romantically interested in a particular gender, or even aren't romantically inclined at all.
Your bisexuality is still valid if you prefer certain gender expressions. You can prefer GNC-presenting women and more masculine men, be into feminine men and butch women, or lean towards people of any gender identity that presents in some way.
No, not "everyone is a little bisexual". This misconception devalues and minimizes the significance of bisexuality and those who identify with it.
Never Forget
The greedy and exploitative corporations, dysfunctional or outright fascist governments, and their armies of soldiers and police will never have a place in pride. They always have and always will prioritize their own power and wealth over the rights and safety of queer people, and suppress the voices and freedoms of the marginalized and poor to stay on top. They are always an enemy, regardless of if they put a pride flag in their social media profile banner or pump out a bunch of rainbow-themed shit to sell. We didn't earn any of our rights by politely asking for them, we rioted for them. We won't have them enshrined and protected by politely asking, we must fight hard and ruthlessly for it.
Respect existence, or expect resistance.