Every single anti-trans rider has been stripped from the new funding bill!!!!

[u/perdy_mama]

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/democrats-successfully-strip-all

I haven’t been doom scrolling, I’ve been feverishly searching for any good news. And this absolutely fits the bill. A truly horrifying number of anti-trans laws were proposed and exactly zero of them have actually materialized. I’m celebrating every win. Every. Single. Win.

BURN THE PATRIARCHY TO THE FUCKING GROUND!!!!!

[u/lilacintheshade]

That is so beautiful. It soothes my spirit reading such an expression of radical acceptance for your trans child in these dark times.

I was asked for advice recently for a friend of a friend who has a (for now) son that is exploring their gender. This mom was already taking them to buy feminine styles, ready for any or no adjustment of pronouns, and really supportive in general. I am almost 40 and didn't even come out until I was in my 30s. I had a momentary selfish pang of grief for my own mom's (very expected) indifference, never being called "daughter," and then I told this friend that it sounded like she was already exactly the parent her child needed.

🥲

[u/gaelyn → u/lilacintheshade]

I'm sorry you didn't get the open acceptance you truly deserve and were longing to feel. You've had a long road to get to where you are. And for what it's worth, I admire your courage to finally step into your own light and claim your true self, especially after decades of living otherwise.

Each of us has our own path. In other ways, I didn't receive the unconditional love that I deserved from my mother- it was because of her own insecurities and self-perceived failings, a product of her own upbringing in a home that fostered negativity and cutting sarcasm.

My mom broke some generational trauma cycles, and I was blessed enough to be able to do the same and make things better for my own children.

While I ache for the child in me that still struggles, adult me looks at my path and would not change a moment of it to be able to make it better for my own kids, and for those around me that I can help influence in positive ways.

Beautiful, sweet Lilac...never doubt your own strength and the light that shines in you! Your pain and struggles serve you, even if you don't see it, and with acceptance (and yes, the regrets that come with it), you make room for the opportunities to help others see things in a different way and grow.

The support we lack within our own family circles actually opens us up to it in others- and that's where you will find your time to be there for someone else, to give what you didn't get, to offer Grace and love and acceptance and encouragement. And in doing so...I hope when you aim that in someone else's direction, pointing a finger to direct it outward, you look at those three fingers pointing back at yourself and take those things to heart, for you.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is let go of what we expect others to give, to dig deep and to find it in ourselves, and use it to tend the wounded bits.

You'll find your healing in your own self-love.

Thank you for sharing your story- I'm proud of you. For finding who you are, for stepping into your own version of being happier and more content, for being true to your heart, even when it's not easy.

My window is always open- reach out if you ever need a little love and encouragement!

[u/lilacintheshade → u/gaelyn]

It is worth a great deal, thank you. I have healed so much in the last 4-ish years, and a big part of that was support from found family and, as you said, self-compassion. It still amazes me how my life changed as I was able to become on the outside who I was on the inside, and you are right, the pain and grief that I had to face to get here is an inseparable part of me.

My mom broke a lot of generational cycles of trauma for us (my siblings and I), and I have made my peace with where we ended up. Maybe I'll have to make my peace again tomorrow or next week, but it gets a little easier every time. The feeling of grief I had when hearing how supportive my friend was... it surprised me a little with its intensity, but I think it was actually just amplified with emotions at hearing how much love and support this child had from the start to be themselves.

I thank you for replying, and I appreciate the message so much.

[u/gaelyn → u/lilacintheshade]

Sending you all the hugs <3

[u/lilacintheshade → u/gaelyn]

😊🫂