New Year, New Targets, New Memories

So I'm taking it by you reading this you may still feel what I've got to say is of some interest....so we are in a new year and after being reflective it's time to start planning.

After being laid low with this coughing bug that's doing the rounds (and still got a rumble in my chest as a result) and adding in the longest patch of ice / snow that I can remember for sometime....I've not done much these few weeks of the New Year.

To be honest I find January and February pretty tough months from a mental health perspective. Winter can be hard with the short days and poor weather but at least leading up to Christmas there is plenty to look forward to. These months are a bit hard to motivate for. 

All the immediate plans I had for 25 have been pushed back a little but hopefully things will pick up in the coming weeks.

I knew in some respects 2025 would be challenging. Politically things aren't good for my community. It seems DEI is a dirty word and attacks continue to find a home against the LGBTQ community generally.

Its always easy for those whom diversity doesn't affect to say it's not needed. I hear cries of meritocracy being paramount but if a community be it based on gender, race or sexualities don't get a fair crack of the whip, the meritocracy is by its nature biased as those that society gives a chance to will always benefit.

In terms of my community it's very much hetro white males who lead the way with the attacks. Throw in a dose of religion and a potent mixture of hate prevails usually based on a perception of risk or threat which even a cursory glance at holds little credibility.

My transition however has very much as well as providing me with a huge dose of internal happiness, has additionally given me behind the scenes views of the reality of hate.

Let me make one clarification that people may not be aware of. Those that hate one community invariably hate on others. They may be only vocal about one but I guarantee if you dig a little further or even lightly scratch the surface....you'll find other elements of bigotry. I've seen it first hand.

Secondly the saying usually in mock olde English is "methinks they protest too much" is more accurate than you think and very much against my community.

If I had a £1 for every so called straight man making a pass on me online....well I'd be retiring early. From looking for "girls with something extra" to outright Bi curious and yet portraying themselves externally as masculine hetro man.....it's absolutely rife. I guarantee in the average circle of so called hetro males 1 in 5 if not more have some sort of same sex or curious thoughts which given half chance if kept secret they would jump at a go so to speak. 

So I am wary / sceptical of any abuse directed towards my community as being anything other than hiding repressed feelings by being overtly bigoted. The more they shout the more their internet history needs checking.

Then add in the religious elements.....oh please.....check the churches continuing problems with sexual abuse....well their credibility is shot.

So the next time your hear someone you know casting aspertions at the LGBTQ community....think on as to what may well be what they are trying to hide.

Certainly if anyone has a go at me in future and they can be identified....I won't hesitate in tracking them down and bringing it to everyone's attention as to who they are. 

Which brings me onto social media. I've always viewed it as the benefits outweigh the issues. 

However with Twitter previously showing itself as a home for hate and now Meta allowing hate to go unchecked going forward...then it's been time for a re-evaluation of my scope.

Firstly I've turned off my blogger profile on Facebook. That and Instagram will be strictly for my friends and me following people of interest. Threads well it was supposed to replace Twitter for me and there is a good LGBTQ community on there so that's staying for the time being....I will be keeping an eye on it but in terms of text based frivolity....BlueSky is my new home. Let's see what I can do over there. 

I'm also still active on YouTube, TikTok and very much so on linkedin where I'm heading towards 1000 followers!. 

Put simply ill be doing less on Meta and thus their adverts are a bit wasted on me going forward.

So 2025 has got off to a stuttering start. I'm however very much up to the challenge and battles that lay ahead. 

I hope as always you'll tag along and see where it goes. It's been 5 years shortly and I think I'll be looking at how far I've come...and where I'm going.... pending that....me back in 2017...

Love always 

Amanda xx