I’m going to say something that gets lost in the shuffle sometimes

So much of the world of trans people is the world of the medical

And so much of the medical is a story of actuarial tables

regret rates

survival rates, risks

But transness, really, isn’t a medical thing

it’s a question of who I want to be and who I will become

So, if you want to talk to me about whether me, at 45, would rather

detransition now, and live to 90 like that

or remain myself, and live to 70

there really isn’t even a choice there

hell. Make it 100 and 60,

and you don’t even add hesitation

No trans person

is shocked that the regret rate

is lower for a vaginoplasty

than for a knee replacement

So, when you see me out

with a shirt that says

“Death before Detransition”

it’s not a slogan

it’s not Charlton yelling to a crowd

It’s an

earnest.

fucking.

promise.

made of sound mind while in a sound body.

And I love most people I meet,

but my body is for me,

and for me alone.