trans elections! mask merch! gritty?

Hey friends,

Hope you're all hanging in there.

I've been putting off writing this newsletter for a few days because I was hoping to eventually have something to say. But lately, it feels like the more that happens, the less I want to speak about it. Maybe because there are more people listening now. Maybe because so much of what's happening right now (an election? a pandemic? a vaccine? a coup?) is so big and nebulous that it's hard to fully wrap my mind around it. Maybe because I'm tired of looking at screens. Maybe because I'm tired.

Anyway. Much has happened. The United States has elected a president that isn't actively going out of his way to ruin the lives of trans people. In fact, I heard a lot about how ~inclusive~ Joe's acceptance speech was — but  it turns out he just literally said a big list of types of people that maybe voted for him. Here's the transcript: 

I am proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse in history.

Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

Progressives, moderates and conservatives.

Young and old.

Urban, suburban and rural.

Gay, straight, transgender.

White. Latino. Asian. Native American.

And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African-American community stood up again for me. 

Cool, good job just literally saying transgender! The bar is in hell. 

We also know that at least four trans women and one nonbinary person won their elections to join their state legislature. I'd like to interview one or two trans elected officials on the upcoming season of Gender Reveal — anyone have a preference on which of the winners you'd like to hear from? Let me know please. 

Speaking of Gender Reveal, a podcast we are all ostensibly here to talk about, I have three interviews in the bag for next season and have several more in the works. Really really hoping to start the show in the next couple of weeks, but I also want to be respectful when people are like "lol I can't talk right now I am recovering from *gestures widely*" so we'll just start as soon as we possibly can.

In the meantime... there's new merch! Designed by friend of the show and human angel Ariana Martinez.

This design is available on a shirt, a sticker, or our first ever face mask because wow it sure is bad out there, huh?

100% of proceeds are going to the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project because Ariana is, again, an angel person.

By request, we also restocked trains flag merch, gender is dead sweatshirts and the still popular Surf Don't TERF sweatshirts, which I am literally wearing right now!

This photo is old but I'm sitting in my dark bedroom right now but please roll with it; it's the exact same look. 

Anyway, we're running low on designs for the shop right now, so if you've ever thought about submitting a design, now is a great time. (Or, if you've done it before, feel free to do again! There's no limit on designs submitted, although we may choose not to run them all.)

In personal news, uhhhhhhh, I met Gritty.

OK, here's a challenge: does anyone know where I can buy black overalls that are less form-fitting than these, but not super super wide legged like Dickies, and that also are not Carhartts? Is it possible? It's maybe not possible but thought I'd ask while I'm here, tysm. 

OK, I think that's it because my brain has now turned completely off. I love you and I really hope you're having an OK week. Stay safe out there. 

Here's your weekly Rhubarb. 

xo,
Yr resident gender detective