Mira Bellwether, author of the groundbreaking zine Fucking Trans Women, died on December 25th, 2022, at the age of 40. Her partner Callan Molinari confirmed Bellwether’s death on Twitter. According to Bellwether’s GoFundMe page, she’d been diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2021. On December 19th of this year, Bellwether’s health took a turn for the worse, and she was admitted to the ICU. She spent her final days with her partner Callan and her sister CJ while Star Trek: The Next Generation played in the background.
I didn’t know Bellwether personally. My knowledge of her life is limited to her social media presence and tweets from her friends, who are naming Bellwether’s kindness, her wisdom, and her “fierce wit.” I wish I could say more about the kind of person Bellwether was, but the only thing I know for sure is this: Mira Bellwether was the kind of person who made shit happen.
I first learned about Bellwether after reading Fucking Trans Women, an 80-page illustrated guide to sex for “non-op and pre-op” trans women and their partners, which Bellwether self-published in 2010. Here’s how she described the zine in a 2013 Autostraddle interview:
“Fucking Trans Women is, at its heart, a how-to manual, and the finished product is good sex. I wanted to stress the biological facts of our bodies. We have to build a very basic vocabulary and common understanding in terms like, ‘this spot has lots of nerves running through it. This part likes pressure, this part likes stroking, this other part can do X, Y, and Z.’ If you keep sex at the conceptual level, I think you find that it’s not as rewarding as you want it to be. In order to have good sex, I think we have to acknowledge our bodies, come to terms with them as they are, and be able to inhabit them. In other words, to be immanent rather than transcendent.”
The zine covers anatomy, sex techniques, toys, communication, and more — and if you’ve ever heard of “muffing,” you can thank Bellwether for that. In Fucking Trans Women, Bellwether coined the term to describe the act of penetrating the inguinal canals. Just to give you an idea of how trailblazing this zine was: There were no pre-existing diagrams illustrating the bodies and sex acts Bellwether wanted to depict, so in true DIY fashion, she drew the diagrams herself.
Bellwether’s language is never didactic or bogged down in metaphors. It’s honest, inviting, and intensely personal. On every page, it’s clear that Bellwether — a self-described trans dyke — wrote this zine because it absolutely needed to be written.
“One of the reasons this zine happened was that I got really sick of explaining things and teaching my lovers about my body during time that should have been spent having sex,” she told Autostraddle in 2013. “When one of my lovers said that she wished she had an instruction manual for my body, I took that and responded to it pretty literally.”
When I stumbled across Fucking Trans Women in 2011, I was thrilled. As someone who’s loved and dated trans women and as someone who went on to write about sex for a living, Bellwether’s zine was exactly what I wanted and needed to read, and many of the lessons I drew from her writing have shaped how I approach my work today. I often come back to this paragraph from the introduction:
“Here be dragons and sea monsters, my fellow genital cartographers, and we have a lot to learn from poking them,” Bellwether wrote. “Let the metaphors, the language, the analogies come afterward. They are helpful, but I believe with great conviction that what I have between my legs is not a metaphor or an analogy but something new and wonderful.”
Writing about trans bodies in a way that centers playfulness — or really, writing about trans bodies at all — was revolutionary in 2010, and it’s still revolutionary today. More than twelve years later, Fucking Trans Women remains a go-to sex education resource. I cite this zine over and over again in my writing, and I’m sure I’ll keep coming back to it forever.
I’m incredibly grateful for Bellwether’s contributions to the world. I’m thinking of everyone who knew and loved her and everyone who was touched by her work. If you haven’t the privilege of reading Fucking Trans Women yet, I hope you’ll do so in Bellwether’s honor.
You can purchase Fucking Trans Women online for $10. Upcoming proceeds will help Bellwether’s loved ones cover her medical expenses and funeral costs.
Her zine was really helpful when I first came out. Thank you.
Hello! Y’all seem to have intended to leave a hyperlink to purchase the zine to support her medical and funeral costs but the link goes instead to an older autostraddle article. Can you please update it? I’d like to donate to her fam
Hi, Oliver! Thanks for letting us know. The link has been fixed!
Thank you for writing this Ro
Ro, this tribute to Mira Bellwether’s work and life is going to stay with me. Thank you for writing it. And I’m sending so much peace to her family in the days and months ahead. The loss of her is immense, but her legacy is still here and felt by all of us who do this work.
<3
🕯🕯🕯
Really grateful this was published on Autostraddle. I read the 2013 interview in 2013 and the zine earlier this year.
Thanks for memorializing her, and for promoting her work in the past. I also read the zine in 2010/11 and remember how transformative it was then. I even printed out a copy for my therapist!
I was thinking about this resource the other day; thanks for the link! <3
thank you for this. her 2013 interview and FTW was a turning point for me and without it I don’t think I would have gone into my next relationship as I did. I reread the zine this evening… I am eternally grateful for the work she did and am saddened by her loss.
This is such sad news for Mira, her loved ones, and the world. I consider FTW to be the most important sex education text of this era, it pushed the door open and provided a foundation for so many people to build on. Thank you, Ro, for this tribute.
I wish autostraddle had written something about Mira more recently, before she died, so we could have celebrated her while she could still feel our appreciation of her. How can we better appreciate and love trans women while they are here with us?
Boomaid
thanks
How a Good Book Can Help Us in Exams: Unlocking the Power of Reading
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, books continue to hold a special place in our lives. Beyond being a source of entertainment, books have the power to transform us, expand our knowledge, and enhance our skills. When it comes to exams, a good book can play a crucial role in helping us achieve success. In this article, we will explore the ways in which a good book can positively impact our exam preparation, learning abilities, and overall academic performance.
The Magic of Books: Igniting Curiosity and Learning
Reading is a gateway to knowledge. When we dive into the pages of a well-written book, we embark on a journey of discovery. It sparks our curiosity and encourages us to explore new ideas and concepts. By reading books related to our exam subjects, we can deepen our understanding, gain different perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Books
Not all books are created equal when it comes to exam preparation. Selecting the right books is essential to maximize their impact on our learning. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing books for exam preparation:
Relevance: Ensure that the books you choose align with the syllabus or topic areas covered in your exams.
Clarity and Organization: Look for books that present information in a clear and well-structured manner, making it easier for you to grasp complex concepts.
Quality and Authoritativeness: Opt for books written by reputable authors or subject matter experts, as they provide reliable and accurate information.
Reviews and Recommendations: Read reviews and seek recommendations from teachers, peers, or online sources to gauge the effectiveness of a book for exam preparation.
How Books Boost Exam Performance
1. Deepens Understanding through In-Depth Coverage
When studying for exams, textbooks often provide comprehensive coverage of the subject matter. These books delve into the topics in detail, offering explanations, examples, and illustrations that aid in understanding complex concepts. By studying from such books, we gain a solid foundation and a deeper understanding of the subject, leading to improved performance in exams.
2. Enhances Retention and Memory
Books are valuable tools for memory retention. Reading helps us retain information more effectively compared to other learning methods. When we read, we engage multiple senses, including sight, touch, and imagination. This multisensory experience improves our ability to remember and recall information during exams.
3. Builds Vocabulary and Language Skills
A good book exposes us to a rich vocabulary and varied language styles. Reading helps expand our vocabulary, improves our language skills, and enhances our ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. These language skills are crucial for exam essays, reports, and other written assignments.
4. Develops Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
Books foster critical thinking and analytical skills. As we read, we encounter different perspectives, complex problems, and thought-provoking scenarios. By analyzing the characters, plots, and themes, we sharpen our ability to think critically, evaluate information, and form well-reasoned arguments. These skills are invaluable in exams that require us to analyze and solve problems.
FAQs about the Benefits of Reading Books for Exams
FAQ 1: Can reading fiction books help me with non-fiction subjects in exams?
Absolutely! While fiction books may not directly cover non-fiction subjects, they enhance your overall reading and comprehension skills. These skills are transferable and can greatly benefit your understanding and interpretation of non-fiction texts in exams.
FAQ 2: Are eBooks as effective as physical books for exam preparation?
Both eBooks and physical books have their advantages. eBooks offer convenience and portability, allowing you to access a vast library of books with just a few clicks. However, some studies suggest that reading from physical books can enhance memory retention compared to digital formats. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference and learning style.
FAQ 3: How can I manage my time effectively when reading books for exam preparation?
To manage your time effectively, set aside dedicated study periods for reading. Create a study schedule and allocate specific time slots for reading books related to your exams. Prioritize the chapters or topics that require more attention, and break them down into smaller, manageable chunks for daily reading.
FAQ 4: Can reading books alone guarantee exam success?
While reading books is an essential component of exam preparation, it should be complemented by other study techniques such as practice tests, note-taking, and active revision. Combine various study methods to reinforce your understanding and consolidate knowledge for better exam performance.
FAQ 5: How can I stay motivated to read books during exam preparation?
Setting goals, rewarding yourself after completing a book, joining study groups, or discussing books with friends can help maintain motivation. Find a quiet and comfortable reading environment, eliminate distractions, and establish a reading routine to make it an enjoyable and productive habit.
FAQ 6: Can reading books improve my overall academic performance?
Yes, reading books goes beyond exam preparation. It broadens your intellectual horizons, enhances your overall academic performance, and equips you with a lifelong learning mindset. Reading instills a love for knowledge and cultivates critical thinking skills that extend far beyond the confines of exams.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a good book is an invaluable asset for exam preparation. It opens doors to new knowledge, deepens understanding, and enhances critical thinking and analytical skills. By choosing the right books and incorporating them into our study routines, we can unlock the true potential of reading in achieving exam success. So, pick up a book, dive into its pages, and let the magic of reading guide you on your journey to academic excellence.
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