(ID: eight images with pastel rainbow backgrounds, there are black curved lines bordering each corner and black text in the center of every image; the text reads 1) “transgender and pro-choice”, 2) “include trans people in your abortion rights advocacy”, 3) “pro-choice and childfree without apology”, 4) “bodily autonomy is a human right”, 5) “this isn’t gods will you’re just an asshole”, 6) “not subject to the rules of your religion”, 7) “my body my life my future my choice”, 8) “forced pregnancy is torture”.)
(ID: eight images with pastel rainbow backgrounds, there are black curved lines bordering each corner and black text in the center of every image; the text reads 1) “transgender and pro-choice”, 2) “include trans people in your abortion rights advocacy”, 3) “pro-choice and childfree without apology”, 4) “bodily autonomy is a human right”, 5) “this isn’t gods will you’re just an asshole”, 6) “not subject to the rules of your religion”, 7) “my body my life my future my choice”, 8) “forced pregnancy is torture”.)
For some of us, motherhood is neither an option nor desire. Autism for me means feeling disconnected from even those closest to me, but with the complications of being cognizant of that gap. I could never love a child the way a child should be loved, and I have no desire to try. I know what it feels like to be unwanted, and to realize that my parent is unable to provide affection or appropriate parental support even if they wanted to try. It isn’t always “different when they’re yours”, and that isn’t a gamble I’m willing to take on someone else’s life.
So to the countless strangers, colleagues, and minor acquaintances who seem obsessed with my uterus, fuck off. My reasons are valid, but they are none of your business. The least you could do is be grateful I’m not contributing to overpopulation or risking increasing the social burden of my physical conditions by sharing my DNA.
Parenthood is difficult enough when you love and want your children. I have so much respect for autistic parents who are out there doing their best to raise beautiful people. I support your decisions, so please - I hope you’ll be respectful of mine.
(Image description: six square images with purple backgrounds and white borders, every image has bold white text in the center. All together this text reads: “I don’t care if testosterone therapy makes me sterile. I am allowed to live a life that does not revolve around childbearing or parenthood. I do not have to prioritize childbearing or parenthood in my life. My bodily autonomy and freedom of choice are worth more than potential fertility. I don’t give a fuck what you believe my "biological purpose” is. This body is mine to do with as I will.“)
Possibly controversial, but I don’t care if testosterone therapy makes me sterile.
I’m allowed to live a life that does not revolve around possible future childbearing or parenthood. My own bodily autonomy and freedom of choice are worth more than potential fertility.
I don’t care what anyone believes my "biological purpose” is. My body is not your “earthen vessel”. I am not here to “be fruitful and multiply”. I don’t want to join your womban only arts and crafts circle and finger-paint with period blood. I don’t have to find any kind of special meaning or spiritual significance in the reproductive organs that I was born with.
The only reason I am here right now with this body that is mine is to do whatever I want with it.
I’m allowed to not want pregnancy and childbirth, or the possibility of them. I’m allowed to not want parenthood in any form. I don’t have to prioritize those things in my life.
The potential loss of my fertility on testosterone is not a loss for me, it is a benefit. For more than half of my life now I’ve known that I never want to experience pregnancy or childbirth, and yet I am clearly expected to value my potential ability to do those things above my own actual wants and needs? No chance.
No trans person should be required to delay medically transitioning because of concerns about future fertility, if the trans person themselves isn’t concerned with the ability to have biological children.
I resent the notion that medically transitioning is harmful because we’re–allegedly–choosing to sterilize ourselves*. Choosing sterilization is not harmful. The ability to choose sterilization should be the right of every person, regardless of gender, who is of an age capable of reproducing.
(*Contrary to popular belief, testosterone therapy is not a contraceptive and does not always result in a person being sterile; it is entirely possible for a person to become pregnant while using testosterone therapy or after stopping it.)
I would rather not require being lied to to feel good about myself. Once you have a baby, you’re no longer as hot as the tight 20 something’s with no kids. Your stretch marks are only sexier than someone who doesn’t have any to someone who enjoys women who have stretch marks. Don’t be so delusional.
Lol. Well when you spend 5 consecutive years pregnant, it’s hard to appreciate not being pregnant. Then when you decide to finally stop, all you’re left with are the consequences.
