2018 has been a tough year for feminine transgender and gender nonconforming people (GNC). It feels like that is said every year, but we mustn't forget the multitude of achievements that have happened over the year. When it comes to feminine identities that are trans and GNC, we have constantly been achieving and striving throughout 2018 and it needs to be recognised. Here's a small list of just a few of the incredibly queer things feminine people have done this year to prove that we aren't going anywhere and show that we can sparkle. 1. The launch of Fruitcake magazine
Jamie Windust is a recent graduate who was put on the 2018 Evening Standard 1000 most influential list, was nominated for a Gay Times honours award and launched the first two issues of Fruitcake magazine which is a celebration of all things creative and queer.
2. Pose FX series
In June 2018 Pose FX came on to screens with over 50 transgender characters. Set in the late 1980s, the show looks at the many different lifestyles that contrasted each other in New York at the time.
3. Munroe Burdogf appointed as LGBTQ+ editor at Dazed beauty
This year Munroe has been doing her things and taking over - totally here for it. In November she took on Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain and showed grace, dignity and power. Earlier on in the year she was appointed as Dazed Beauty’s LGBTQ+ editor and has been doing some great work with that.
4. Beyond the Binary campaign
Sadly this year's Pride in London march was highjacked by a group of transphobic women, however National Student Pride marched for all Gender Nonconforming identities in the parade and showcased how young queer people are here to stand up for trans and non-binary rights.
5. The launch of Nail It Official
The wonderful Charlie Craggs this year launched her petition for a trans flag emoji. Using nail art and the lobster emoji, Charlie has been doing the rounds to spread information and visibility for trans women and other feminine identities.
6. Travis and their Burgerz
This year non-binary icon Travis Alabanza created a show reclaiming an act of violence that happened against them created power from it. Showing us that trans and GNC are empowered and freaking talented. The show sold out numerous times and was wonderfully inspiring.
7. Twitter taking on Transphobia
In late October social media giants Twitter decided to be more specific when it came to how they will tackle transphobia on the platform when they updated their hateful conduct policy changing it to banning “repeated and/or non-consensual slurs, epithets, racist and sexist tropes, or other content that degrades someone. This includes targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals.” A small win against the horrific abuse trans and GNC people face.
8. You
Every transgender and gender nonconforming person out there is an achievement. Having the bravery to live your truth in a society that at times can feel stubborn in accepting and seeing you is a wonderful thing. This year has been hard especially for feminine identities, its already hard enough for cis women in the world, so when someone who doesn’t fit into ridged gender binaries expresses themselves femininely sometimes we’re not met with much kindness. Remember you can strive and accomplish whatever you want as long as you set your mind to it.
Never forget that being you is a beautiful thing.
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