Well friends, I am coming to you today while being unbearably sad, just to be honest. News broke early this evening (on the East Coast that is, late afternoon for those of you out West) that trans pioneer and groundbreaking journalist Monica Roberts has died. I’ll have more about that in the link round up, but I also couldn’t bring myself to write a different kind of intro.
We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of pioneering Black trans journalist Monica Roberts. Her award-winning blog @TransGriot set the standard for many of us in independent trans & queer media. We’re sending strength and love with our condolences to her friends & family. pic.twitter.com/1UVVcxjbsh
— Autostraddle (@autostraddle) October 8, 2020
I’m sad today. And you know what? Sadness sometimes happens. I hope you’re finding peace, wherever this message may find you.
Queer as in F*ck You
Monica Roberts, TransGriot Creator and Pioneer in Trans News, Has Died. Last year, in an interview with Harron Walker, here’s what our now at rest elder had to say: “I have a long history of telling TERFs where to go and what bus route to take to get there.You can quote me on that.” Quote 👏🏾 Me 👏🏾 On 👏🏾 That!
In the same interview, she also shared the following:
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run into some Black trans millennial who tells me that my blog inspired them to do this or inspired them to do that… So every time I sit down and start writing a post, I keep that in mind.”
I’m mourning Monica Roberts this evening, but I also first and foremost want to lift up some of those Black trans millennial writers and media makers that she wrote for.
Imara Jones, activist and producer of TransLash Media
I’m shocked at the sudden loss of @TransGriot. For trans journalists she was a pioneer and an essential North Star. I know so many of us will be deeply saddened by her passing. #BlackTransLivesMatter @TransJA @translashmedia https://t.co/z0mkeDfsYT
— Imara Jones (@imarajones) October 8, 2020
Tre’Vell Anderson, Journalist, Critic, Writer and Editor
https://twitter.com/TrevellAnderson/status/1314322029781250053
Raquel Willis, activist, writer, director of communications for the Ms. Foundation and former Executive Editor of Out Magazine
Monica Roberts was always so supportive of upcoming trans journalists, writers, and media critics. Her award-winning blog, TransGriot, was often the first to report on what was happening in the trans community long before larger LGBTQ+ outlets and organizations cared to cover us.
— Raquel Willis (@Raquel__Willis) October 8, 2020
May she rest in Power.
Please read this entire series from The Guardian (US): Trans Freedom Fighters. Here’s the latest addition, ‘PTSD Is Real, I Wake up Crying’: The Activist Who Stood up To Prison Guard Abuse.
Measuring Greatness: A Look Back at Sue Bird’s 17-Year Career With the Storm (Can a sports gay tell me, is this Sue Bird’s last season playing ball? Everyone keeps talking like it’s her last one!)
Saw This, Thought of You
Remember Fat Bear week? Well, All Hail Our New Fat Bear King
Emily Gorcenski Is the Data Scientist Exposing Us White Supremacists: ‘This Is How You Fight Nazis’
How Trump Exemplifies Our Ableist Culture
The Unrelenting: Most Powerful Women in Sports (Heather promises that this has the “standard array of lesbos”)
We Can Celebrate Cardi B’s Divorce. HELL YES WE CAN. My only hope is that she dates Megan Thee Stallion next.
Political Snacks
If you’re going to read literally any coverage of last night’s Vice Presidential debate at all, please let it be Natalie’s work on this very website: The Vice Presidential Debate Offered More Civility, but Kept the Familiar Side of Misogyny
I’m not even kidding when I say it’s some of my favorite writing of hers, ever. (And I’ve been reading Natalie’s work for three years now, so I know of which I speak.) Just listen to this stunner:
The most Page could do was repeat, “Thank you Vice President Pence,” until he got the message and moved on. The most Harris could do was forcefully respond to his interjections by saying, “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” as if his actions weren’t willful. Occasionally Harris shot back a wry smile, a dismissive laugh or a side-eye. He deserved more — he deserved to be told to “shut up” as Biden told Trump last week — but society does not afford Kamala Harris that privilege.
She could not be angry, so Harris delivered some sass. As Brittney Cooper writes in Eloquent Rage, “When it comes to Black women, sometimes Americans don’t recognize that sass is simply a more palatable form of rage. Americans adore sassy Black women… These kinds of Black women put white folks at ease.”
And so, in conclusion:
https://twitter.com/rowlandjordyn/status/1314017655024623617?s=12
