Let’s lose the absolute descriptors — because they’re predicated on a strict gender binary that simply doesn’t exist. “Gay” and “straight” are useful labels to describe sexual and romantic orientation in a general way. …

How many of those under 18 will be put at risk because of their parents’ poor decisions? We were lucky to survive. My parents stopped vaccinating us when I was a year old. At three, I got the chicken pox; when I was 12, my six siblings got it, including the 14-year-old eldest. They remember…

When people ask “What are you having?”, what they really mean is “Did your ultrasound technician see a penis on your fetus?” But as a society we’ve collectively agreed on polite euphemisms — so instead of being clear that they’re inquiring about your baby’s genitalia, they use generic language. We…

They control us, gaslight us, and threaten us. They have free reign to manipulate us, and even sabotage our earnings. But social media giants face few consequences. Their abusive behavior goes unchecked. Your account will remain banned “Thanks for writing in. Your account has been banned from Tinder for violating our Terms of Use or…

When I first came out as genderfluid, people asked me what pronouns I used—and I said “any.” Here’s why the conflation of pronouns with gender led me to use they/them exclusively. A few years ago, my sibling gave me an amazing gift for my birthday: a circular pronoun pin with…

Men make more than women, but only expect to pay half for everything. Why do they think that’s “progressive?” I’ve spent most of my life in poverty. Until the last few years, I consistently grew my debt and often experienced housing or food insecurity. …

No. Yes. Yes, and no. No—and yes? But only sort of? It’s from a name, but it also is a name. It’s not from that name. Please just call me by the name I introduce myself with… I’m genderfluid and my chosen name is gender-neutral. Relatively. Except that everyone assumes…

You’re excited! You’re doing a thing. And you’ve been taught that it’s a thing that’s socially acceptable to discuss anywhere, anytime. But it’s not. Because intentional weight loss is part of a system of violence. We’re in an anti-fat society. And anti-fat bias kills people every day: through medical neglect…

March and April of last year passed in a blur of anxiety and obsession, as I read scientific articles and tried to understand what was happening. My chronic pain reached a peak of intensity since I was no longer walking a mile or two each day. …