#transgender #lgbtq #transdayofvisibility #tdov

“What we don’t understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control.”

As always, I strive to be as open as possible and encourage people to ask questions about my life, my transition, etc., because through education, understanding can be achieved.

However, it can also be a day to realize that transgender people live 99% of the same lives as everyone else-we wake up cranky, we work jobs in all industries and economic sectors, we pay taxes, we have families, volunteer in our communities, have hopes, and fears.

This is not isolated, and this will not stop. Pretending nothing is happening is how we got into the situation to begin with. So glad that a degree that I once held with so much esteem and pride is being devalued.

Reef health impacts fish stocks, which directly impact a major protein source for a large portion of the world. Climate change is impacting much more than just our reefs.

It's becoming increasingly clear that protecting the environment is no longer a priority. Coming from someone who makes their living on the water, I've seen firsthand what damage is being caused by rising ocean temperatures. Entire reefs have been decimated to nothing more than algae covered rubble.

I suppose the class on petroleum science will be renamed "best practices for harvesting valuables from the ocean," since I'm sure all discussion on pollution will be banned next...

Photo credit of the picture of me underwater: Shane Gardner

Note: All activities are performed under permits through NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sancuary and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. #noaa #fwc #goalcleanseas #conservation #padi #scuba

If you are a local diver in the Keys, or even a tourist diver, please reach out to your dive shop of choice and see what conservation initiatives they have going on-nearly every shop I know of is participating in clean up dives and/or coral restoration activities.

Over the course of just the six dives that I’ve assisted with, a total of five anchors, three derelict lobster traps, a few hundred feet of braided rope, several sections of monofilament line, and various plastics have been recovered. It’s truly shocking to see the human impact on these reefs.

Luckily I had my passport updated in the fall, but many individuals seeking gender marker chat gets are having their current passports and identifying documents withheld.

Desperately seeking answers, direction, or at this rate, a safe place to go-because this sure doesn’t feel like it is anymore.

I’m very scared as to how certain factions are convincing the public to associate LGBTQ individuals as deplorables. I’m worried with every passing day that a new EO will be released that will either take away my access to healthcare or worse, incriminate my existence.