So my mom is insanely talented and was sobbing when she found out about Leelah’s passing and her (and many others’) unsupportive and transphobic parents. She desperately wants to give every trans youth a hug and tell them that they’ll be alright but she can’t reach out to everyone. So she made these.
“I don’t need eyes to see the real you,
or a mouth to tell you who you should be.
Just ears for listening,
and paws for hugging.
You are perfect to me.”
Each bear is made with 100% eco-friendly materials (including hemp stuffing!) They are very durable and extremely high quality. AND! 50% of all proceeds goes directly to the National Center for Transgender Equality!
She’s trying really hard to give back to our community in the best way she knows how and she really, really does care about every single one of us.
don’t like, just reblog!! SIGNAL BOOOOOST
This post is naive at best. I can appreciate a person wanting to support the trans community. That is as far as my good thoughts on this post go.
Speaking as a someone who lives in the same community as Leelah; who after her death addressed the urgent needs of local trans people triggered and traumatized; who ran the trans organization providing direct care to the community and facing the national media circus; who was up for three days because I didn’t know who else we might lose if I missed a call for help while I was asleep… Speaking as someone who never mentions a person gone without recognizing the countless others (trans women of color mainly) who don’t get vigils, news coverage, or charity bears… Someone who can’t name someone lost without recognizing the shattering impact it has on those of us left behind… Speaking as someone who was there, I am asking people to stop using the death of one as a means to motivate more to survive. I am asking people to be more analytical of “support” offered in hopes that we learn to see the difference between what contributes to our movement and what is co-opting it.
I don’t shame this mother, the post creator, or the some odd 33 thousand people who reblogged it. I affirm anyone who feels genuine grief, whether they knew a person or not. I do not support the co-opting of trans experiences to sell crafts. FYI a 50% donation is not a big contribution, especially considering this Etsy store sells other goods. Despite whatever good intentions these people may have, they are still likely making a profit off you.
Cis people must not be allowed to push their guilt or sadness into the center of our movement. It is happening all too frequently; cis privilege makes them unaware they are doing it. Our oppression leaves us unaware that we can stop it. I unapologetically have zero sympathy for cis sorrows over the trans struggle. If cis people want to support us, they can give us bears and hugs for free, not sell them to us. They can advocate for trans rights or volunteer. They can vote for people that validate trans needs. They can speak out against violence and demand trans equality. If you want to donate money to the trans community, give it directly to trans people. The trans organization of Leelah’s local community is Heartland Trans Wellness Group. Or donate to the awesome folks at The National Center for Trans Equality.
It is up to us to keep control of our movement. Do not leave it to the tear-jerking parents or the cis allies who suddenly care about what they have ignored for years. Keep your head and remember that we are a living people working for ourselves. Don’t take something just because it is handed to you. Pay attention and keep fighting.
This lady tries to do something nice for trans people and you start bitching and moaning because… She shouldn’t make and sell cute stuffed bears to help trans people? She’s apparently “profiting” off death?
We (trans people) are not entitled to anyone else’s money. We are not entitled to cis people bending over backwards for us. If they want to do something, but stil get monetary value for their hardworkd (It’s not easy sewing up nice bears), then they are allowed to do so. Ciz people can help us out any way they deem fit, and if making and selling bears is what they want to do, then that is fucking fantastic.
Get your head out of your ass
“We want cis people to support us!”
“Um, wtf are those cis people doing trying to support us?! Cis scum!”
plus…my mom isnt making money off of these bears at all. 50% to the National Center, 50% to make more bears!