Longing for the END

So I’ve been defining feminism for our movement, recently focusing on how feminists are moving toward their goal. Let’s take a look at part two of hooks’ definition by talking about what “end” really means. A coworker recently told me, “I’m just tired of it. I want sexual violence to be over.” Similar to this feeling of utter exasperation at the staying power of sexual violence, I am totally beyond over homophobic and transphobic behaviors, policies, and practices that perpetuate sexual violence. In honor of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), I’m blogging about what it would be like to live in a world without these forms of oppression.

In this beautiful world, all people will have the opportunity to make informed, active decisions toward a healthy sexuality. We would do away with the gender norms that subscribe to traditional expressions of gender which limit people of all genders and sexual orientations. In my new world, all people can openly celebrate their love and their personal expression. Youth will walk down hallways in their schools hearing positive, affirming words rather than gendered bullying. For goodness sake, it will be safe to pee wherever you feel so moved. It would be okay to be LGBTQ.

I am longing for the end of sexual violence and all forms of oppression. Until we get there, I’m hoping for the day that I wake up without the overwhelming weight of gendered violence on my chest. What are you longing for?

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