I Hope We Choose Love

Half of the book was impenetrable; half was a masterpiece. Half of me wanted to start it over the moment I finished, the other half wanted to move on. (We compromised: I flipped back and reread maybe a tenth.) This was a library copy; I've ordered my own so I can mark it up.

Thom gets it. She gets power structures and distractions and ambiguity. Responsibility, consent, nuance, storytelling. Asking the right questions. Aspects of life I know well, so her thoughtful perspective lends absolute credibility to her writings on what I don't know as well or at all: it's one thing to be peripherally aware of violence against trans women, a whole different thing to read Thom's first-person experiences. Same with coming out, or mentoring/being mentored. How Thom navigates the world is quite different from anything I've ever experienced, and I can't say that I understood her every message... but to be a better ally I will keep trying.

Occasionally gave me ‘The Body is Not an Apology' vibes - clear but compassionate talk from a former social worker/therapist.  Many of the essays take the form of questioning current circumstances and complexities, to open discussion that will hopefully result in community acknowledgement and healing.  There is a through line of personal experiences relayed that emphasizes the fight for recognition and respect is ongoing for trans women, particularly trans women of colour.  The poems included are a concentration of these ideas. Sex/sex worker positive.  ⚠️SA, suicide