Hey, reader. How’s life? I was instructed to write a personal bill of rights, for a queer class on boundaries and self-defense. I didn’t think about it too much, listing what felt important to me in that moment. Then I returned to write a few more, and again returned to write a few more…
What I have now feels like a summary of what’s socially important to me, for my own freedom. So I’m ready to share it with you.
personal bill of rights
I have the right to
- learn and explore whatever ideas I want to
- tell the truth
Never again will I be stuck in situations where I have to lie to survive.
- ask questions
- say no to touch
- pause, take a break, and turn down urgency
- stim, withdraw, hide out, stop speaking, rest, and sing
- cry and feel my feelings
- reject what I was taught, especially in my family of origin, and find what’s actually true and necessary for my own life
- transgress gender norms and unfurl to the full extent of who I am
- balanced, reciprocal relationships
(If it’s not balanced and reciprocal, I will leave.)
- my rich inner world
- say no to medications, including psych meds
- define success in a way that includes me
trauma
As you see what I choose to assert, you can guess at my trauma. It’s sad that long ago, I was limited by fearful institutions about what I was allowed to learn.
I’m such a curious pumpkin! Can you imagine a school or church trying to tell me what I couldn’t learn? That’s sad af.
Also heartbreaking how I was basically forced onto powerful sedating psych meds when I was 30, which squashed my creativity and prospects for 11 years or so. My rich inner world is not a symptom– it’s my life.
Thank you to Ming and everyone who’s dear to me, for supporting me in what I need. I love you. Feels good to see it laid out in a list.
questions to start an argument
Will you build a world with me where we all have what we need?
And psych meds may be an option, but not the only offered solution to emotional spiritual crisis?
Why do so many people want to limit the freedoms of others?
Why are so many people freaked out by non-speakers?
Will you turn up with me, the richness of our inner worlds?
