memories for sinking ships.

(Source: jessyfaceee, via dickfranceschi)

When I first read the brief Rolling Stone preview of Laura Jane Grace’s (more commonly known as Tom Gabel of band Against Me!) story, I felt so happy and overjoyed for her.

I discussed the situation with like-minded folk on the DimeStoreSaints forum and was so surprised (in a good way) by the positive response I was seeing.

I was like, “hey humanity, you ain’t so bad!”

Well that was fucking short lived.

Sure, not everyone has been acquainted with “Gender Identity Disorder” - I can understand that; for fuck’s sake, people don’t even fully understand what gender is!

But I am not okay with this terrible defense mechanism that humans have developed, in which they fear what they don’t understand. Instead of accepting, understanding, loving - they display their ignorance and attempt to cover up their inability to understand something “unusual” by making jokes, dropping insults, and being all-around hateful.

You really would expect that the punk culture would embrace Laura with open arms… Isn’t that, at the very least, part of what this is all about?!

I’ve always chosen to educate myself about the things I don’t understand and those with which I cannot personally identify. I even make a point of attempting to understand the opinions and beliefs of those with whom I don’t agree. In the end, as long as it’s not hurting anybody, why should I be bothered with someone else’s personal politics? There’s no need.

Until it all turns to hate.

I’ve always had a significant interest in Behavior and Personality (perhaps that’s why I chose to study psychology). Gender Identity Disorder, specifically, has always been a subject of interest. I’ve read and watched so much regarding the subject… I can’t understand how others refuse to empathize for those who were born in this situation.

I consider myself very fortunate to have been born with the anatomy of the gender I associate with.

I ask anyone who is saying “Why would he cut his dick off?”, “This is not natural, he should get mental help instead of doing this”, “Nature knows best!” or any of that other related nonsense to consider this -

Imagine having the mind of a woman, but the body of a man? Or vice versa.

Seriously, try to fucking imagine that.

It literally brings me to tears just trying to imagine the pain and torment of living in the wrong body.

How is it that people can’t dismiss their ignorance, and just try to imagine that life? It’s fucking devastating.

To say that Laura has “decided” to be female, is like saying every other member of the planet has chosen to be their respective gender. The transgendered brain is physiologically different and resemble that of the gender they identify with.

It is a natural condition and in no way a choice.

There is so much more to say regarding this subject, but I’d be writing forever.

I really challenge those who remain closed-minded on the topic of Gender Identity to seek out some information on it before condemning anyone. I don’t mean typing “Gender Dysphoria” into Wikipedia and claiming you’re some sort of expert; pick up a book, watch an educational program or a documentary… I can’t imagine it’d be possible to feel the same way after that.

I hope to some day live in a world where a young Laura Jane Grace does not have to hide whom she is for thirty-one years, where she does not have to pretend to be something she is not because it is considered “taboo” and unacceptable.

thegaslightanthem:

So Tom’s gonna be Laura now… and in 2012 I still find people on the internet commenting  on another persons life how they insult and condemn a person for his choices.  

How about the people who go through this and never find peace and end up committing suicide?  Would you rather that?  Or maybe he could become a raging drug addict and ruin his life and family?  Would you rather that?  Or maybe we could have rules from a dictator where everyone gets killed for anything they believe against the government, oh wait that doesn’t work…

How about you leave the guy alone.  How about you let another human being make a decision about their lives without your snide prejudices and bigotry? This is one of the hardest decisions a person can make.  From my limited understanding of the subject, it means feeling your whole life like you were born in the wrong skin.  That’s something that 99% of us can’t understand.  Weither you agree or don’t, it’s not your life.  It’s not your family.  it’s not your band, it’s theirs.  

I don’t see the AM! guys very often, or if at all, but I always wish them well.  They’re a great band.  Leave it at that.  Just let them be a great band.

To those being kind, this is not for you…

If this is joke though, it’s in very bad taste to the people who actually go through this. But I will say that I still feel this way about anyone who makes a decision against what we call normal.  You can’t hate them, and they have the right, here in America, to make their own choices and live their lives free of prejudice.  

So go live, Tom.

XOXO
Gossip Girl 

****PS- EDIT NOTE**** - I do realize using “she” and “Laura” are appropriate but I was being considerate, since I don’t know Tom (Laura) that at this current moment to the best of my knowledge He is still a man named Tom, and hasn’t informed me to begin using she and Larua yet, as we don’t speak, and I haven’t read the article yet.  though he will soon be a woman named Laura, which I will then refer to her as such.  Can you please just look at the big picture here?
Thanks.
XOXO
What are you my english teacher?

(photo copyright (c) 2012 Rolling Stone)

I have such empathy and support for transgendered person. I’ve always loved and adored Tom (Laura) Gabel and couldn’t be happier for her - I can’t even imagine what a weight has been lifted after all of these years.

But it really touches me that she’s receiving support from so many sources. Humans? Maybe you’re not that bad, at least not tonight.

Didn’t think for a second that Brian Fallon/The Gaslight Anthem could get any better, some how proved that wrong again!