Neil GaimanI gave a speech at Florida's New College Alternate Graduation. It's only 3 minutes long. I meant every word of it.
Vayl Larkin (they/them)@neilhimself Honestly, I would have felt really encouraged... had you even BLINKED in the direction of the word "Trans". You're a writer Neil. We both know words matter, and we both know that Wasn't an accident. Did you learn how to hedge your bets from your fancy new friends?
@VaylLarkinPoet you don't think I'm including trans people when I'm talking about genocide and dehumanization? I'm talking about all the groups that DeSantis is after, all the groups that the Nazis went after.
@neilhimself Apologies for the two-parter here. Sir, inclusivity is admirable, but the laws are not coming for everyone's healthcare. The police are not coming for everyone's children. The courts are not stripping the rights of Everyone, but only of a few. You're right. It's the tip of the iceberg. Do you want to see the whole thing, or steer clear now? See what's in front of us, dead ahead. Name it, and the increasingly desperate reality of trans people in this country and in yours...
@neilhimself It is Not enough to say you stand with everyone when the jackboots are coming for the Very Specific. Words are power, Mr. Gaiman. You helped me learn that back in the Sandman days. Almost no-one is speaking for us. You could.
@VaylLarkinPoet yes. As I have been and will continue to do. That speech was that speech.
@neilhimself No seriously, you know the difference between general and specific language. It's ok, I just wish you had been better.
@VaylLarkinPoet let's talk about context. Who was this speech given to? What was the Helen N Fagin collection? What was the intention of the speech? Who is likely to dismantle the Helen Fagin collection and why?
@neilhimself The Helen Fagin collection is dedicated to the study of genocide. Trans and disabled populations are typically bellweathers in these events, being often the most vulnerable. Anytime in history that our allies have prevaricated, we have died first.
The Holocaust and genocides around the world have started in this way. Why are we still being shoved to the back in favor of some mythical unity that never actually includes us? I am angry, and I am Certain that I am abrasive. Blame me.
@VaylLarkinPoet I suspect I'm the wrong target for your anger. Either way, good talking to you.
@neilhimself I didn't say I was angry at you, sir. I said that I was angry. I am also terrified and horrified most days, as are all the other trans people I know. I asked a question about why you chose general language instead of referring specifically to the stage of genocide we are at right now. It should not be this hard to get an ally to listen.
AnotherGrumpyDayInHell 💙🇺🇲🇺🇦Vayl Larkin, I'm sorry to intrude. Your pain seeing what is happening to trans people in Florida is no doubt indescribable. Words cannot express how much other communities of people, including myself, seeing these horrors empathize with you. Please hear, Neil out, though.
DeSantis is only just beginning, and so far he hasn't stopped with trans people. He is trying to destroy the entire LGBTQ+ community. His administration has effectively taken away reproductive rights for birthing people. His state education board approved teaching the benefits of slavery in public schools. We are on the verge of a food crisis, and the cost of housing is causing a homelessness cris. The list goes on. We are all under attack.
Neil is trying to be inclusive because the whole state is under attack. New College is a symbol of excellence in Florida education. The students should be learning how to be our next generation of great thinkers. It is a jewel, and DeSantis is trying to steal it from us.
This touches all of us and does not invalidate your experience or your pain. We are in this together, and I hope you will stand with all of us to fight this.
@AnotherDayInHell I find it interesting that all I asked is why @neilhimself didn't MENTION trans people in this war that started with us. I didn't ask him to make it his whole message. I haven't argued with anyone about the fact that it's a snowball of oppression. I'm just wondering why, at at time when trans people were the Primary target of these laws, our community was Left Out. And believe me, when we are not mentioned, we are Not included. History and the Law has proven this time and again
@AnotherDayInHell Often argued to be the first action taken in the Holocaust was the burning of a collection of materials on Transgender studies at the core of German movement for trans rights. When you were in school, did you ever learn, "First, they came for the trans people"? The first Person killed officially was a 12-year-old Autistic boy. Did you know that Germany killed ALL of its disabled people before anyone else? Did you learn That in school? Memories are short when we exclude facts.
@VaylLarkinPoet I know. It's a lot. The targeting of the trans community is sick, especially considering how small it is. I don't think Neil was leaving Trans people out. The Holocaust began by targeting the Trans community, as he said. It sounds like he felt that point was self-evident, which might have been an error. I get why you feel the way you do, though. Your identity is under attack, and that is incredibly dehumanizing and painful to endure. Try to keep up hope. It may not seem like it, but huge amounts of people are working to push back against this authoritarian narrative and its purveyors.
@AnotherDayInHell It is increasingly strange that you continue to speak in such a patronizing voice to someone who has not disagreed with your salient points, and who has cited facts and events, not emotion when approaching their position. No, my Feelings are not hurt that Mr. Gaiman did not mention trans people. My certainty is that our stories will be silenced Again, if those claiming allyship fail to mention our names. No. Those who will not speak Of Us do not speak For Us. That's my point.