the secret teachings of trans joy

Dear friends,

The more I read each month's community joy submissions, the more convinced I am of something that I think very few people realize.

I think trans people can actually teach us, collectively, how to appreciate life.

There are so many things people tend to take for granted, and I don't just mean when it comes to gender. I mean things like simply the act of breathing, in a body, surrounded by other people in bodies, and seeing the beauty in that experience.

Of course, I understand the challenge of being present with these moments when we live in a stressful, disembodied world fed by the fires of capitalism and constant global crisis.

And yet, in a population often considered to be one of the most disembodied, stressed-out, and in crisis, what I see is the constant blooming of gratitude for life and all its gifts.

Perhaps it comes down to choice and the secret teachings inherent in that choice, when those of us who could have passively accepted the social norms thrust onto us and flown safely under the radar, decide instead to be deliberate about the lives we lead, no matter the cost or fear.

This is often called "brave" or "outrageous," depending on one's viewpoint.

But I think that ultimately, it is a gift that brings with it the wisdom of conscious living.

I hope you enjoy the gifts given to us in this issue–I know I did.

May the secret teachings of trans joy make your life better, every day.

With care and solidarity,
Jin (he/him)

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I have started greying a lot more as I age, and it is a joy I would love to share with our community--it does get better, we do get older, and you will be okay! Grey hairs are sacred, and so are you.

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I love my trans body. I love making it stronger, and showing it off. I love decorating it and moving in it. I've worked really hard to make it my own and I couldn't be more satisfied with my gender/gender expression.

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Yesterday was my E-Birthday! 🥳 2 years on #HRT and choosing myself 4 life. Sooo grateful for all the loved ones who came to celebrate with me. 🥹💜💜💜🫂 I'm so blessed! After decades of rejection from others and self, I know how precious and beautiful each one of you are.

-@fionablackrose

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Coming out as trans was the best decision of my life. It didn't just give me joy it gave me a reason to love, a reason to take care about my body and self. I love my life and I love my trans brothers, sisters and enbies. And I will forever be thankful for my community. (I made this meme for us, below.)

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The past weekend retreat was an emotional roller coaster, after weeks of nervous anticipation about finding and exchanging compatible vibes, engaging in insightful conversations, and connecting with those who have more in common with me than our differences. Speaking my truth is always more difficult with the masks I bear as someone neurodivergent, transgender, non-binary, and Asian American. What centered my will to keep trying was a friend’s voice in my head, ringing “you were meant to be there!”

As the days passed, I felt each mask slowly dissipating as each person I met bravely shared with me their cultural experiences and challenges. I began to think about my vision of a current or future space that guided me in my journey. Inspired by different natural landscapes, my internal self manifested itself as a small starfish looking for belonging in a redwood forest or an excitable corgi with the inner spirit of a calm and collected cat.

Thinking of nature…my mind bounced back to the current setting where I sat on a picnic blanket chatting with friends and hearing the sound of a light breeze dispersing and rustling across a sea of leaves. I began to share my story with my new friends, with a few pauses in between. As they each spoke, we shared laughter and dreamed of a future where we would meet again to enjoy a meal. What can only be felt as euphoria revealed itself in a warm feeling tingling down my chest. I sat quietly and caught my breath. I was safe, not alone, and full of trans joy.

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I spent a really beautiful couple days in the woods with my friend. It felt so rejuvenating and nourishing! On my way home, I had a gorgeous solo hike to this fantastically sensual waterfall. It made me feel alive and grounded and full of joy :)

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I am loving watching this dahlia slowly unfurl a few more of its petals every day:

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If we could all be summer lilies living our best lives under a trans sky...

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Last but not least, spotted in the wild by a community member landing in the Midwest:

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If you're feeling inspired, the contributor form for August is open for your joy experiences and feelings!

Hey all! I am back from last month’s too-solar toasting, as well as from an amazing astrological pilgrimage in Washington, held in honor of Apollo the Sun God and Jupiter the Good.

As I write this, we are just coming off of the New Moon in Leo. 

🌙🦁 This New Moon is about planning your public reputation. To celebrate this seeding in the Sun’s hot, expressive sign of the Lion, I highly recommend wearing yellow or gold. Alternatively, you can find candles in those colors and light them for a moment of contemplation. Reconsider how you present yourself to the world. How do you want to tailor your words? What do you want to be known about you that hasn’t been made public before? What feels authentic but safe for you to share?

There might be some obstacles to circumvent in order to accomplish major goals in this area, whether it be rearranging your work schedule, or tending to your chronic illness as a way to make creative use of limitations. 

♀️♃♋ On August 11th, we have a very exciting aspect—the Venus and Jupiter conjunction in Cancer. Venus and Jupiter are the Lesser and Greater Benefics, meaning they are responsible or representative of all good and pleasurable things in life. Them being right on top of each other in the sky means they are combining their forces for some extra good fortune. Even better, Cancer is Jupiter’s favorite sign to be in, so he’s unusually empowered to aid Venus in any love, collaboration, music, art, or healing projects she has you doing.

This event goes exact at 10:26 PM PT if you want to plan to get out your telescope. Otherwise, feel free to gaze up at the planets and maybe write some petitions to ask for gifts. It doesn’t need to be fancy—though an ink color corresponding with Cancerian water could be nice—and may be best done comfortably at home. Bake some bread and invite friends over if you can; make it a potluck or play with cosmetics together!

☿️✈️ The same day (8/11), Mercury stations direct from their retrograde in Leo, so everyone who felt this rough one (Alaska Airlines, lol) will get a bit of a reprieve. Some glitches may remain until August 25th, but the inconveniences are largely over. Before this reprieve comes, though, allow yourself to do some extra processing work. Retrograde periods are points of consideration, while the direct phases afterward turn the retrograde observations into action. It’s chill, so have fun with it.

Catch you all next month!

(By the way, if you have a monthly (or one-off) feature you'd like to pitch the newsletter, let's chat! It could be anything, really, as long as it might help trans folks feel joyful, seen, and/or entertained. 😸)

First, I'm very excited to introduce you to this delightful webcomic, Lucky Lilly by Lauris Cortivo.

I saw it pop up, clicked—and the next thing I knew I had breezed through the first 10 pages, even though I don't often read webcomics!

The creator says:

I'm Lauris Cortivo, a late bloomer trans man (started my transition at 34). At the beginning of 2024, I created a webcomic about a lighthearted sapphic romance, called Lucky Lilly. While creating this vibrant and healing story, I realized I was trans. The love I put into this comic is completely related to my blooming.

Also, there's a trans boy character who will get his own spinoff next year (it will be awesome!).

You can read all of Lucky Lilly here.

Also, follow Lauris at @lauriscortivo.bsky.social!

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Take a moment to put on this lovely summer song about trans joy by Phoebe Weyland and dance in your room—or better yet, outside in the yard or park!

Phoebe says:

I mostly wrote [the song] because I started progesterone and felt remarkably happy. My suicidal ideation basically went away entirely. I also just wanted to write something that emphasized the good parts of being trans.

Follow Phoebe at @phoebeweyland.bsky.social!

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A dapper little unicorn I spotted in the wild:

The artist, Anu, says:

My latest creation is a trans unicorn with top surgery scars. #art #transartist #transgender #unicorn #transjoy #healingjourney

Follow him at @anumorgan.bsky.social!

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Last but not least, poet Amelia Fey Parsons just debuted a lovely new digital anthology that combines both of her chapbooks, and graciously shared with us a trans joy poem from its pages!

She says that it is "a poem about transition, and the joy, healing, euphoria, and peace of becoming who you really are."

Beautiful Cocoon

I sing when no one can hear
It’s a song meant just for me
Every night I love to fly
Even if it’s just in dreams
Beneath a star speckled sky
I gaze up at the moon
In the morning I emerge
From my beautiful cocoon

I dance when no one can see me
Music always in my ears
I speak my heart aloud alone
It’s my favorite thing to hear
I try my best not to worry
Good things will come soon
And I smile ear to ear
In my beautiful cocoon

I look at my reflection
And do you know what I see?
I see an ocean, I see the sky
And infinite possibilities
I lay in fields of flowers
And breathe in their perfume
When I get up I’ll emerge
From my beautiful cocoon

Get your copy of Amelia's poetry anthologies, Beautiful Cocoon x Majesty Chaos, and follow her at @truefeyqueen888.itch.io!

• Open Call for Queer + Trans collage art by the Twin Cities Collage Collective! Free & open to artists from anywhere.
• TransLash Wire is launching to amplify trans voices, particularly in the South and plains states. Their site is a treasure trove of articles and projects, including those centered on Black trans femme artists and Black trans changemakers.
• Check out The Nonbinarian, an amazing trans+ owned bookstore that exclusively carries queer books and distributes them to book deserts in Brooklyn! They have a whole slew of events in Crown Heights that you can attend if you’re local, or you can buy books/merch if you’re not!
• A "starter pack" for trans folks who work in nature! I believe you can message Robin Hayward, the creator and first account listed, to be added.

Some great news articles from the past month:

• "She Hit Me and It Felt Like Community" —about Queer Fight Club (it's real) and a badass Pacific Northwest martial arts tournament.
• "These Dolls are spreading trans joy whether you like it or not" —a lovely feature on the "meme queen of East London."
• "India’s Landmark Trans Clinic Reopens With Community Care" —love that this clinic is completely trans-led! The U.S. and other so-called "first world" countries could learn some things from these folks.

Are you enjoying ATJ?? It takes many hours, conversations, and collaborations to make this newsletter happen every month, so it would be amazing to hear a few words from readers! What are you most enjoying, how did this issue make you feel, or what features have inspired you? Go ahead and hit reply <3

If you're a cis ally and/or have a few bucks to spare for uplifting collective trans joy, you can also now upgrade your subscription to $5/month! You can also tip us at Buy Me a Coffee.

⭐ Do YOU have trans joy to share with us?? Check out the Contributor Guidelines!

⭐ We’re always looking for trans projects & resources to amplify. If you make art of any kind, are launching something, or have a lead that you think our community should know about, please reply or fill out the form on this page.

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You can also follow us on Bluesky where we share snippets of trans joy in between newsletters.

Thanks for supporting and reading!!!

I’ll leave you with this…

All trans people are excellent scientists. It's 100% true.

Summer well, my friends—'til next time!