“Babe, I don't belong to you
Love is what we choose to do
Babe, you don't belong to me
It's not that easy”
—Book of Your Heart by U2
***
Today is the first day of a new thing and I wonder how the rest of April feels about it, about having to start with people making jokes of truth and trust. Also, do the different months get jealous of the others? Does February hate having to close early for March? Does June despise July? And do the names even matter? Does a year need to keep changing its identity, a dozen different times? Should we just call the whole thing January, since that’s the one we’re introduced to?
Yesterday, March 31, was International Trans Day of Visibility. And did you know this first began in 2009? In 2024, because the final day of March happened on the final Sunday, March 31 was also Easter.
According to Merriam-Webster, a coincidence can be defined as “the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection." Perhaps the connection is being asked to consider a God big enough to handle both holidays. Maybe even a God who would reject the idea that the situation requires any handling at all, because International Trans Day of Visibility and Easter Sunday are not mutually exclusive.
It’s hard to say what I believe about salvation at this point—who’s in and who’s out—but for those who celebrate the Easter story of Jesus overcoming death, I like the idea that if Jesus is that much of a badass, He isn’t threatened by the existence of trans and non-binary folks. It’s been a minute since I read the Bible but I don’t remember Jesus excluding people based on gender or sexuality. I do, however, remember quite a few stories in which Jesus spends time with—and apparently actually loves—those who exist in the margins of society. Jesus tends to side not with power, but with those oppressed by those with power.
Personally, I can smile at the idea of a God who loves the underdogs, the misfits and misunderstood, One who cares about those on the receiving end of jokes that make them cry. These days, the God who I believe in is not offended by a Trans Day of Visibility. And when bullies defending Easter do so using language lacking love, targeting the least of these, always falling for control and never mystery, I believe God is offended.
If someone wants to play with lies and fear and laughter, may I suggest a different holiday? They can pretty much say anything and make all the jokes they want. Should be perfect as long as they’re okay with the new name. We’re saying “April” now. Hopefully that’s okay.
Today is the first day of something new.
***
“You can change your name, or even who you are
That's the beauty of the scar
That is the contract of the heart”
NEEDS AN OCEAN: Enjoy 25% OFF until midnight central when you use code NOJOKE at checkout. Discount applies to everything.
Did you know that there are two Ever Get Home shirts and two posters as well?
If you’re interested in connecting one-on-one, I offer coaching and consulting on a limited basis. I can’t be your therapist but I enjoy talking career, relationships, self-care, and more.
I love this! Celebration of the two days is not mutually exclusive.
Here's what I posted on my social media yesterday:
It makes so much sense to me that these two holidays fall on the same day this year. Acknowledging my truth was, in its own way, yet one more experience of the Paschal Mystery in my life: dying to self (who I was outwardly and who was trying to be) and being reborn to new life (the me was always meant to be). I am so blessed to have one more sign from God that I'm on the right path. Praise the Lord, for He is risen today!
love this, thank you for talking about trans day of visibility 💙