This is a direct correction of common misinformation and normalized harm. ( Caps warning ahead. It’s just for the category starters though. ) — ♥ — ↻ GENDER, SEXUALITY, & IDENTITY ⚘ Being nonbinary is real. It’s not a phase or an attention-seeking act. ⚘ Trans men are men. Trans women are women. ⚘ Trans people don’t need to medically transition to be valid. ⚘ Neopronouns and xenopronouns are real and should be respected. ⚘ Asexuality is a valid orientation. Lack of attraction is not a flaw. ⚘ Aromantic people are not heartless. They just love differently. ⚘ Being gay is not a sin. Being yourself is not wrong. ⚘ “They/them” can be singular. You already use it that way. Don’t pretend it’s confusing. ⚘ You don’t get to decide what someone’s “real” gender is. ⚘ People can use different pronouns in different contexts. It’s not deception; it’s safety. ⚘ Lesboys are valid. ⚘ Intersex people are valid. — ♥ — ↻ MENTAL HEALTH & NEURODIVERSITY ⚘ ADHD and autism are not quirky internet trends. ⚘ You can’t “grow out” of autism or ADHD. ⚘ Autistic people are not broken or robotic. ⚘ Masking is exhausting, not a solution. ⚘ Depression and anxiety affect teens and kids. Stop dismissing them. ⚘ Intrusive thoughts are not desires. Stop shaming people for their brains. ⚘ Self-diagnosis is valid when access to care is limited. But you need to do a lot of research to be sure and make sure to tell someone you trust to get their opinion on it. ⚘ Not all mentally ill people are violent. Most are trying to survive. ⚘ Trauma does not have to be “proven” for it to be real. ⚘ Therapy is not shameful. Medication is not weakness. — ♥ — ↻ BODY & HEALTH ⚘ Overweight people are not “lazy” or “unhealthy” by default. ⚘ You are not entitled to comment on someone else’s body. ⚘ “You’ve lost weight” is not always a compliment. ⚘ “But you’re so skinny” is not comfort, it’s invalidation. ⚘ Eating disorders are not compliments. They are life-threatening. ⚘ Not all eating disorders look the same. Stop assuming. ⚘ Thin does not always mean healthy. ⚘ Eating disorders don’t only affect skinny white girls. ⚘ Not every disability is visible. Stop assuming. ⚘ Chronic pain and illness can exist without obvious signs. ⚘ You don’t get to decide who’s “faking it.” ⚘ Mobility aids are not just for the elderly. — ♥ — ↻ YOUTH, CONSENT, & SAFETY ⚘ Children can know who they are. Let them. ⚘ Teens can be LGBTQ+. That’s not “too young.” ⚘ “Respect your elders” doesn’t include accepting abuse. ⚘ No one is “too young” to have mental health struggles. ⚘ Kids don’t owe adults hugs. Consent starts early. ⚘ Teaching kids about identity isn’t “indoctrination.” It’s protection. ⚘ You are not being oppressed just because a teen asks you to use their pronouns. — ♥ — ↻ RELIGION & BELIEF ⚘ Do not share your religion with someone who is hurting without consent. ⚘ Religion can be a source of trauma. Be mindful. ⚘ Not everyone believes what you believe and they don’t need to. ⚘ Pushing your faith onto others is not love. It’s control. ⚘ You can be spiritual and not religious. You can be neither. ⚘ Atheists are not “missing something.” ⚘ Spread your religion to people who ask for it, not when it’s unrelated. — ♥ — ↻ COMMUNITY & IDENTITY ⚘ Furries, as a community, are not z00s. ⚘ Therians, as a community, are not z00s. ⚘ Being in a “cringe” community doesn’t make someone less worthy of respect. ⚘ Dressing up or roleplaying is not inherently strange or dangerous. — ♥ — ↻ LANGUAGE & BEHAVIOR ⚘ “It’s a joke” is not a shield for harm. ⚘ “Cringe culture” is just another form of bullying. ⚘ Apologies mean nothing without change. ⚘ If someone corrects you, listen. ⚘ “Freedom of speech” does not equal freedom from consequences. ⚘ Ignorance is not a flex. Choose to learn. ⚘ “I didn’t mean to” does not erase the harm. ⚘ If you hurt someone, you don’t get to decide whether or not it was a big deal. ⚘ Having an opinion is okay until it’s harmful to a community or a specific community; as in spreading misinformation. — ♥ — ↻ ABUSE, HARM, & SURVIVAL ⚘ Victims do not owe you their story. ⚘ Not all abuse leaves bruises. ⚘ Survivors don’t have to forgive. ⚘ You are not overreacting. You were reacting to pain. ⚘ If someone says something hurt them, believe them. ⚘ People cope in different ways. Respect that. ⚘ Healing takes time and especially space. — ♥ — This is not up for debate. All of this should be considered and followed. If you really need to tell me something or if you have a suggestion, tell me on my chatroom. Send this to someone who needs to be educated.
