pollinating joy wherever we go

Dear friend,

Spring is hurtling along, and if you're anything like many trans folks I've been talking with recently, your life is likely swirling with events, commitments, and/or impending changes.

I've been starting my day by spending a few minutes lying in bed rereading bits of Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. Highly recommend as an alternative practice to the morning doomscroll.

I hope that amid navigating survival and daily needs, you're finding opportunities to soak in some thriving, too.

Btw - can I make an ask? In June, will you send in your Pride-related joy snapshots & reflections as soon as they occur, and poke your friends to do the same?

The last week leading up to each newsletter release has been a little hectic as I try to corral all the submissions, and I could definitely use your help! It's not that that the joy isn't out there, it's that folks need to 1) put it into words/images, 2) give me permission to feature it here!

So, please do:

• Send in your trans joy contributions early next month! 🙏🏼
• Ask a trans friend if they wanna share their joy with us.
• Share about the newsletter in your circles - Signal groups, Discords, IG stories, your queer quilting group?
• Reply to this email if you're interested in helping to get the word out about ATJ on an ongoing basis (being a trans joy angel, if you will!).

I'd really love to have the Pride month issue just filled to the brim with community beauty and aliveness! Will you help me that happen?

In the meantime, please sit back, take a moment to breathe with me, and enjoy our May mosaic of trans joy.

With care and solidarity,

Jin (he/him)

🩷

"My moment of trans joy came when I went to a new hair stylist. I was nervous. Would they be better than the last?

They were as welcoming as their space was beautiful, which is to say, very much both! Into the chair and we began.

Their hands wove through my curls and my reflection transformed. First in one style and then another. From shape to form and through three more they moved me. I could not believe my eyes! 100 hair cuts in my life and for the very first time I looked... real. I looked like me."

🩵

"I was a miserable worm for a month and then I got an amazing haircut and now I'm a goddess again."

🩷

"Thinking about how I haven't worn any makeup in two weeks and how that isn't making me feel like any less of a woman."

🩵

🩷

"In the middle of a big house-moving process, I had the chance to escape with two transmasc friends to some desert hot springs for a boys' trip. We spent hours immersed in the sulfurous steam, talking about everything from relationships to the gender feelings we had as kids. We weren't even gone for 24 hours, but I feel like in that one day, I soaked off weeks of worry and tension."

🩵

🩵

"A little while ago, my big sis and her partner took me to urgent care and part of the process was getting bloodwork done. The person checking us in at the lab and then doing my bloodwork was trans and I think we made her day. She started to introduce herself as the name on her name tag and then went “wait, y’all are trans, I can give you the name I actually go by, not what’s on the name tag.” She seemed very happy about that. 🥹🥹"

🩷

"Oh, our baby just calls everyone Mom" and other lies we tell while scoping out allies in a new small town."

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Trans joy can be complex and multilayered, and it can also be so simple. Feeling inspired? The contributor form for June is open!!

Hey folks! It’s me, your astrologer, Feebz (he/ze/zem/zir), with your monthly report on the Sun’s and Moon’s motions in the sky! We are having a lot of Gemini action coming up at the end of this month, which is set to feel pretty positive. For all the bad rap Gemini gets in pop astrology, its multi-directional nature is incredibly important. Gemini represents the function of information and social movements being carried to different places, groups, and individuals – much like how bees move between flowers to pollinate. Expect to feel progress wherever area Gemini lands in your personal natal chart. 🐝🌺

🌙 5/26: New Moon in Gemini. This moon transition occurs late at night and you'll see its effects mostly the next day and the day after. This period is likely to feel scattered, and potentially lighter than other moons. However, within it, you’re going to plant some pretty serious seeds regarding either how you socialize or want to pitch in for shared expenses. Overall, you'll be engaging in a lot of talking and decision-making regarding how to merge your life with other people’s in order to make a more collaborative lifestyle.

❤️‍🔥5/29: Mercury Cazimi. “Cazimi” translates to “heart of the Sun,” meaning a planet resembles a New Moon by merging completely with the Sun to become renewed. This date, Mercury is going through one of its several annual cazimis and in its home sign of Gemini. Expect an epiphany that gives you clarity on how you want to improve your communication.

🌕 6/11: Full Moon in Sagittarius. Finally, during Pride Month, we make it to the other side of the zodiac as the Moon reaches her Full phase, culminating before dawn. This is a going to be a big Pride due to our collective reaction to the government's negativity. Similarly, you may be on the way to achieving something you have worked toward for quite some time, but either the process will include very big twists and turns, or the environment in which you obtain your desires is surprisingly stressful. Hang on tight; you have the passion to see this through – you just have to commit to your ideals.

First, we have a delightful fantasy novel featuring a magical trans girl protagonist!

I read the first two chapters available online and was immediately smitten.

Kara Buchanan, the artist, says:

Trans joy was very much at the core of why I wrote Magica Riot. I wanted to create a story, and a universe, where a trans person could be a hero, and be loved and supported without question. Claire's experiences becoming a magical girl center her joy in being herself, just as her experiences with her new friends center her joy in being accepted and treated unassailably as who she is. In turn, she takes that trans joy and sends it back out into the world as selfless empathy and heroism. It's meant as a story about what we can be when we're given the chance to blossom.

🌌 @magicariot.com
🌐 magicariot.com/

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Next, a literary magazine run by and for trans youth!

This amazing project's creator shares:

Chrysalis is a literary magazine by trans youth, for trans youth (created with a little help from trans adults). These days, it feels like we are always hearing about trans kids and teens. Chrysalis was created so that trans, non-binary, intersex, genderqueer, agender, two-spirit, and otherwise gender expansive youth can speak for themselves – and most importantly, speak to one another.

At Chrysalis, we believe that art, literature, and culture are a key part of trans resistance and resilience for people of all ages. And we know that the creativity, talent, and imagination of trans youth is unparalleled. Chrysalis exists to give that radiance a platform.

Trans youth (18 or younger) are invited to submit visual art, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, advice questions, and journalistic reporting for our very first issue! ​Grown-ups can support the magazine by donating, spreading the word, and joining our mailing list so that we can let you know as soon as you can pre-order a copy. Our first issue is expected to launch in fall 2025!

📷 @chrysalis4transyouth
🌐 chrysalismagazine.org/

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Another piece I fell in love with recently, by Sid on Bluesky:

Sid says:

Trans joy is trans rage. Don't let them take either from you.

I made this piece because I believe that to find joy in your transness, you must also find the rage for those who would strip you of it. Protect your joy. Protect your friends. Rage at the system.

Visually, it was inspired by the horse illusions from medieval manuscripts.

If you want to support me you can find this piece posted on my Bluesky.

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Want some auditory "transpiration"? Check out the Joy Tuck Club podcast!

Here's what the creators say:

Welcome to The Joy Tuck Club, a podcast that celebrates the diversity and beauty of transgender identities and expressions. We are Red and Freckles (aka Rachel and Phoebe) and we are here to dive into everything transgender – from the highs and lows of transitioning, to the everyday joys and struggles of just being ourselves.

Past episodes have ranged from sharing myth-debunking trancestor histories to chats with surgeons specializing in Top Surgery and FFS... the creators are also coming out soon with a book called How to Transition. Definitely a duo to keep your eye on!

🌌 @twodamptrans.bsky.social
🌐 thejoytuckclub.buzzsprout.com/

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Lastly, I had Aary from Peer Seattle reach out after seeing our May newsletter, as they had helped organize the Trans Lives in 2025 event featured in our community joy section!

Peer Seattle is an organization based, of course, in the Pacific Northwest, but they offer virtual events and support groups as well.

Aary says:

When people hear about Peer Seattle, they often assume it’s just a place for queer folks in crisis. And yes, we’re here during hard times—but we’re also a space for laughter, connection, and becoming more ourselves.

As the Family Navigator, I support queer and trans people navigating polyamory, kink, and all the layers that come with them. In our Trans Is Beautiful group, we talk about what’s hard—but we also swap makeup tips and celebrate small wins. And music, laughter, and a crew of trans volunteers running the show make the vibes in our lobby immaculate.

The best part? Everything we offer is completely free.

Want to connect or learn more? Feel free to send me an email directly or complete an intake on our website.

📧 aary@peerseattle.org
🌐 peerseattle.org

• Forge Forward's first-ever Trans Survivors Zine is hot off the presses & free to download! Dive into stories of healing and connection, and lots of art.
• This QueerAF article on the forgotten folktales of trans joy just came out this month & has been going viral on Bluesky.
• The gorgeous comic The Fox Who Became A Girl is coming out in physical form on 6/13!
• Breathwork for Trans Liberation with Eli the Gender Doula happens every 3rd Tuesday, with sliding-scale tix and scholarships available.

Do you have trans joy to share with us?? Check out the Contributor Guidelines & use the form to send in your joy!

We’re also looking for trans-led projects and resources to amplify. If you're making something awesome, or have a lead that you think the ATJ community should know about, please reply to this email.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please take a sec to 1) drag and drop this email to your Primary inbox tab if it's not already in there, 2) support us by forwarding this email to someone you think would love it in their inbox!

(Are you the someone who got this forwarded? Get your very own free subscription to Amplifying Trans Joy!)

🌌 Follow us on Bluesky where we share snippets of trans joy in between newsletters.
☕ Buy us a coffee - tips go to our regular contributors & platform fees.

Thanks for supporting and reading!!!

I’ll leave you with this…

In the face of all that keeps coming at us, stand up fight back!

And also... lay down and relax.

Because we need both.

Till next time - stay safe and sparkly, friend.