OP #11: The Hero Issue (Photo of Lou courtesy of the SF GLBT Historical Society)
You are the beauty that you create. – Lou Sullivan
It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally able to announce Original Plumbing’s 11th issue, The Hero Issue, to be released April 30th.
Honoring a number of trailblazers who set a precedent for what trans communities are built upon and those who continue to create change today, this issue of Original Plumbing includes a special section celebrating the life of Lou Sullivan and his FTM International newsletter. Launched in 1986 (pre-dating OP by over two decades!), we’re thrilled to showcase some of their earliest covers through the years, republished for the first time since their initial printings.
Placing Lou Sullivan on the cover of the Hero issue is a way for OP to honor his spirit and his life’s work. Passionate about community and connecting trans men together in a time way before YouTube, Lou hosted local meetings and created the FTM International newsletter as a way to connect the dots and knowledge of a small, yet growing, trans male community around the world.
This 90-page issue of OP also includes an artist portfolio on Del LaGrace Volcano, words of wisdom from Auntie Kate Bornstein, exclusive writing by Dean Spade and tons more. Pre-order today, shipping after April 30th! [Read full post...]
In the time between when I last wrote (long ago) and now, I’ve thought a lot about why writing for OP – and living an open, honest life – is important to me. Writing here under my full name has been a small part of me being what I would say is “very out.” Both writing for OP and being so open about my transition severely strained a relationship that is very important to me. But telling my story is a critical part of my process of transition.
I struggle with my “outness” all the time – what does it mean in certain spaces? Will it negatively impact me when I search for my next job? Will my wife and my family be affected? Will I be safe? And at the same time, I have a desire to be “more out,” and I am disappointed when there are articles about trans* athletes that I am not a part of. I find myself trying to navigate being a reluctant role model.
A few months ago, a younger person where I work found me through OP and contacted me for support. I was hesitant to speak with him, but I remember when I was researching and starting my transition, I did not have a trans* role model or guide for this journey. I remember what it felt like to struggle and to feel like I was the only one going through this. We met and had a good conversation about his experiences so far, and the meeting helped me to work through some of my recent anxieties about being out.
[Read full post...]
