Trans Day Of...

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth, written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen (a tired, trans dude who lives in the woods).

Hi all,

I wrote a longer, more serious newsletter but I’m now sending you this one instead. Decided to keep it more positive and brief.

Thought I’d quickly share an inspiring story that happens to be about a trans person I love:

My friend Quince Mountain — who was the first trans guy I ever met, let alone became friends with, someone who is one of my favorite beings on this earth — in 2020 attempted the Iditarod in what was then an historic attempt, one cut short by lockdown.

This year, he attempted the race again. Unbeknownst to many of us (until he said so during an interview mid-attempt), his mother had passed away a week beforehand. While he didn’t ultimately complete the race itself, he did resolve to make it all the way to Nome with his dogs anyway — and they did.

Here’s a local news story about him and why he kept going:

I am just so proud of Quince. He is one of my heroes. I’ve said this before, but in many senses, I no doubt wouldn’t be living the life I am, if I hadn’t met him.

As many of you are surely aware: Today is Trans Day of Visibility. I feel pretty meh these days about TDOV, as do many others. Here is an especially good reflection on all that by Parker Molloy.

Some will protest for trans rights today. Others will observe this day in other ways, like by having a nice snack.

It’s true for me that in years past, posting a photo of myself on this day (as a newly out trans person) felt exciting, liberating. And yet lately I wonder, as many wonder, what our visibility has yielded other than making us targets for cruel and unrelenting attacks.

Anyway once again, especially if you are cis and have the capacity (emotionally, financially, etc.), here are a few ways to support trans people, today or any day:

• Seek out and attend a trans-rights protest in your area. (If you want to try to join one last minute today, here are a bunch of big ones via Assigned Media).

• Pick up the phone and call your reps, tell them to support trans rights or bust.

• Show up at a town hall and give hell to any elected official who isn’t supportive of us.

• Buy (and read!) books by trans authors. Or request said books from your local library. (FIWW here’s mine.)

• Subscribe to trans folks’ channels and podcasts, paid newsletters, so forth.

• Watch our shows/movies. (Here’s a list of movie recommendations.)

• Listen to trans musicians. (Here’s a big trans playlist I’ve been making.)

• Support trans-owned small businesses

• Give to trans fundraising efforts, which abound.

• Hire us.

• Pay us.

Finally, an announcement (on a not-unrelated note):

After years of consideration, I have decided to launch some way that those of you who so desire can give me some money directly, via Buy Me a Coffee. Being a (trans) freelance journalist these days is quite financially precarious, to say the least. So, if you enjoy and/or appreciate my work and want to make sure I can keep doing it, consider supporting me on there.

Those of you who do contribute: Thank you, sincerely. You are What’s Helping Today.

Also just to note this, I am doing this tip jar site in lieu of paywalling all or part of this newsletter. I’ll see how this goes!

As ever, I truly appreciate all of you who subscribe, follow, read, listen to and/or share my work.

If you are trans: Today and every day I am sending you love, regardless of how visible you choose to be.

Anyone can always feel free to write me, perhaps tell me what’s helping you, today.

Take care,
Sandy

p.s. Once more: My advice for cis allies who feel concerned but don’t know what to do about it.

p.p.s. Re-sharing this article on how trans folks might best care for ourselves during these despair-inducing times, as well as this post on the necessity of cis allyship, (I’m quoted in both).

p.p.p.s. Here’s evidence of me, a trans person, existing visibly (and in such moments, quite happily):

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