Being poor and supporting a family of five on under $30,000 has taught me that stereotypes about the poor, created by dominant culture, foster a climate of fear, shame, and embarrassment in those who do their best to deny their poverty. But being broke is nothing to be ashamed of. What is shameful is that so many are degraded by precisely those who rely upon their labor.

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Almost all of these myths stem from the assumption that trans women are really men, and considering us through a male frame of reference. So if there is one myth to debunk from which all others would perish, it’s the notion that our gender is not legitimate. We are women. But if you need further explanation, let me break it down for you with these 13 myths.

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Some women (and men) derive tremendous joy from makeup, and to them I say, continue on your merry way. But if your make-up use is driven by fear that what you were born with is not enough, that if only your lashes were longer, or your lips pinker, then people would be better to you and good things would happen – to hell with that. You’re way too cool for that.

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While we talk a lot about harmful media beauty ideals like extreme thinness, sex appeal, etc, one of the most oppressive ideals excludes anyone who isn’t white – ie whitewashing of beauty. And in our society, it has a negative impact on females who rarely see images of their own races depicted in a positive manner and on how white people (and all people) view women of color.

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I was lying in bed when suddenly, I heard a blood-curdling scream. “STOP IT!” the voice said. “PLEASE, STOP IT.” Thankfully some bystanders stopped the man who had his arms around the woman’s neck from behind. I soon learned that he had attacked her because she didn’t respond favorably to his street harassment. And there are still people who say it’s not a legitimate issue?!? (Trigger warning)

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