God, how I could have born to be the happy woman in this picture. Alas, I was born with the wrong chromosome mix, and could not ever look as good as this idealized version of myself. At least, I didn't have to deal with mood swings, monthlies, pregnancies, or any of the problems unique to a cisgender female. And I would never have met RQS - that would have been a great loss.
When I look at today's politics, I see women's rights under attack around the world. In some cultures, its a religious patriarchy that subjugates women. In others, it's social values which insist that a woman must be subordinate to a man. And in nations like the USA, women are under attack - and many don't see what's happening.
In the past few years, the US Supreme Court has effectively eliminated a woman's right to control her own body. Some states are making it illegal for a woman to travel from her home state to get an abortion in a state where it's legal, putting the woman at risk of legal persecution if her home state's government finds out. These states are attempting to prevent out of state sources from sending in drugs which can induce abortions, and will force a woman to carry a rapist's child if she becomes pregnant.
America's attack on women started with several religious fundamentalists seeing a chance to gain power by using Americans' strong religious beliefs (especially in what we call "Red States"). Trusted leaders easily manipulate people who only think in 2-3 second sound bites, getting them agitated in ways that they are willing to elect authoritarian leaders to impose their cultural values on those who don't agree with them. And guess who benefits? Not the common person. Not society as a whole. But, only the people manipulating the masses.
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Why did I start off sounding like a history teacher? Well, the Orange Monster's attack on Transgenders is in full swing. And I'm thinking of doing a peaceful act of rebellion - taking a short cruise as Marian. I'm tired of obedience to a norm that the people did not choose. Only by standing up for our rights, can we survive this hateful administration.
But the choice of taking this cruise depends on RQS visiting her sister. I would be booking this cruise ONLY if she decides to fly to Florida. I'm not sure yet of what will happen. But it'll be nice to get back on a ship again.
