More of a Re-Introduction
Aug 8, 2018 14:44:36 GMT -5
LizardTau, Admiral Agrippa, and 5 more like this
Post by thesanityassassin on Aug 8, 2018 14:44:36 GMT -5
Hey folks, I bring you an important announcement about some big changes in my life. For those of you who already know about this, I appreciate the hell out of you holding on to this big news for so long.
Over the last several months I have come to realize, or perhaps more correctly come to accept something I have always known - I am a transgender woman. Embracing this has opened my eyes to a happy future I never thought I could have, and I am truly excited to spend the rest of my life as a stronger, happier, healthier and *better* person. Suddenly so much of my whole life makes so much sense. Like all the pony avatars. Yep, it’s a bit crazy, a bit scary, but it’s exciting and it’s good. Promise!
Anyway, logistics time –
Yes, I am changing my name to Maeve Charlotte Mullen.
Yes I am changing my pronouns to she/her.
Yes, this is all confusing, and scary and at times silly to try and work out. I’m not going to hold slip-ups against you (sometimes I make them myself!), but I really do appreciate the effort to remember this when referring to me, especially in person. I *will* correct you, and when I do it is not chastisement, just...me respecting my own boundaries.
Yes, I have started hormone replacement therapy, and hair treatments (both removal and regrowth). You’re gonna see me start to look a lot different really soon. And it’ll be strange. Trust me, I feel it more than most. But I appreciate the understanding during my second bout of awkward teenage years.
Yes my family is accepting and we are staying together happily.
No, this is not a sudden out of the blue thing, as much as it might seem like it.
No, I am not interested in debating my existence or that of “gender” as a whole.
No, I’m not going to “grow out of this”.
No, Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria is not a real thing.
Yes, I absolutely thought this through. Many times. With doctors and therapists and everything.
I understand and appreciate that this affects all of you, albeit to greater or lesser degrees. Feeling upset, hurt or confused is understandable and valid. Grieving a person who in many ways is gone is valid and understandable. You’re expected and allowed to feel what you need to, but I promise that this isn’t as strange as it might seem. We’re not that different, really. We want to live our best, most authentic, happiest lives. There are a lot of scary headlines out there regarding trans folks, and I understand any concern you have for (or even about) me. But I promise that it’s not that bad. Trans folks are talking steps forward every day, and I am surrounded by loving, understanding, and wonderful people. Things are gonna be great.
Now, I have a few things to ask of you. Please don’t come to me seeking more information than I have given right now – I’m exhausted and overwhelmed enough, and while I absolutely appreciate your desire to learn more, I don’t have it in me to personally explain this to everyone. I may or may not share more at a further date, but a ton of this is intensely personal, even if it is sort of out there for the world. In the same line, I ask you to please take even 15 minutes of your day and look up some information on transgender identity and experience from an expert. There’s *tons* out there, that can explain far better than I could. If you really want to support me, do a little bit of work. Not a lot, you don’t have to. I’m not asking for activists, or even allies, just humans doing a little more work to understand and respect other humans. A brief message of support, however, is more than welcome, whether attached to this post or privately. It means a lot to know I’ve got folks on my side.
If on the other hand, you are reading this and *don’t* want to support me, I am sorry, and I understand, but please just exit stage left and I won’t say another word. Not everything is for everyone, and I am not going to try and force anything down your throats. All I ask is that you don’t try and force opinions about the various ways I’m not real or valid down mine. Trust me, I’ve seen them all. Every day. Repeatedly. But please, before you go, just...take 5 minutes to ask yourself why you’re going, really? I won’t debate your firmly held beliefs, but I would appreciate it if you at least examined and understood them a little better from this.
And really, that’s all I ask of anyone - to just pause and consider, with curiosity and compassion, the experience that I and many others have gone through and ARE going through. That’s how the world becomes a better place.
Some of you may have noticed that this is lifted directly from my Facebook post – however this part is just for the Kingston gaming community. I super appreciate the efforts all of you have gone to in making this the most welcoming group I can imagine. Let’s be real, gamer culture can be toxic as hell, and there are a lot of groups that I wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing this with. This is not one of those groups. I know a few of you may have been inconvenienced by me recently in terms of not responding to trade messages, or mucking up the timing on painting commissions. I hope...this explains that a little more. The weight that has lifted off my shoulders in posting this is so immense, and I should be back to good function almost immediately.
I’ll reiterate the stuff here about names and pronouns. It’s gonna be a little weird the first time we play on a Saturday (which I might feel less panicked about attending now) or a tournament, I get it. But really, I think most of you just call me Mullen anyway, which can happily continue, so really, not so big a change. I’m not at all asking any of you to be my first line of defense, but I pre-emptively appreciate the support in dealing with any out-of-town gamers who maybe don’t understand my situation.
ALSO – Dibs on the plastic Sisters when they come out. I’ve been waiting for them forever, and they get officially announced like a month after I come out to myself? This can only be the divine hand of the Emperor. He held the back until His appointed servant on Terra came to her senses. You can thank me later.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I love you all.
See you soon,
Maeve Charlotte Mullen
Anyone that doesn't like it can get out. 
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