First Person Archives

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How I Learned To Touch Again After Trauma

I thought I had to choose between being a survivor and being sensual.

Titeänyä Rodríguez

Oct 17, 2025

money + work

I Was Outed as Trans at Work

When I transitioned and changed my name, I went through all of my accounts and switched them to my new name. Banks and airlines were shockingly no problem. TSA precheck…

Gabe Dunn —

Aug 28, 2025

the author Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya posing in St. Augustine

first person

Under a Big Old Florida Tree

The night has cooled; the air smells like saltwater, briny as our drinks.

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya —

Aug 27, 2025

first person

On Never Seeing Someone Again

The most jarring parts of my breakups have been the number of people who I will never see again.

Gabe Dunn —

Aug 20, 2025

first person

I Was Already Afraid of My Inbox. Then a Death Threat Came

The deadline for my compliance with the “blackmail” had already passed. It was supposed to be noon.

Nico —

Aug 13, 2025

a person holding flowers in their shirt in black and white

first person

What Is Queer Generational Trauma, and How Do We Tell Stories About It?

Lately, I’ve been obsessing over the concept of queer generational trauma: the pain passed down to us from our ancestors, which we bequeath in turn to those who come after…

Charlie Jane Anders —

Aug 7, 2025

a polaroid of a backyard against a parlour background

first person

I Hope the Crows Will Miss Me

After three years spent cultivating this yard with care, I’m about to leave it to whoever comes next.

Kristen Arnett —

Aug 6, 2025

first person

My Ex Is Stuck in Friend Request Purgatory

She was a season. A fever dream. A glitter bomb of an experience. And I’m grateful. I am. But also: I’m not accepting that friend request.

Carlo —

Jul 31, 2025

sports

Heat Advisory

Next summer will be hotter. The next, hotter still.

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya —

Jul 30, 2025

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About Autostraddle

First Person

first person

How I Learned To Touch Again After Trauma

I Was Outed as Trans at Work

Under a Big Old Florida Tree

On Never Seeing Someone Again

I Was Already Afraid of My Inbox. Then a Death Threat Came

What Is Queer Generational Trauma, and How Do We Tell Stories About It?

I Hope the Crows Will Miss Me

My Ex Is Stuck in Friend Request Purgatory

Heat Advisory

Become a Member

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Become a Member

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First Person

first person

How I Learned To Touch Again After Trauma

Become a Member

What You Get:

Become a Member

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