Welcome to Flash Friday, a new feature in which we present a work of Flash Fiction, short Non-Fiction or personal essay that we find powerful, important and/or particularly engaging. This is true when we refer to the perspectives of historically marginalized communities — Women, non-binary people, people of color, LGBTQ and Neurodivergent — but we respond to great narrative and sharp writing, wherever it comes from. For our first edition, Australian writer Heather Joan Day writes a letter for her mother to read to the transphobic people who keep bothering her.
Heather is a gay goth trans girl living in Melbourne, Australia on Wurundjeri Land. She is a writer, filmmaker, co-founder of Vivienne Productions, and member of the goth-pop band Fine Hearts. You can stream season one of the web series she co-created, Everything’s Going To Be Fine, on Youtube for free, and her poetry and short memoir can be found in Ibis House, Scum Mag, Plaything Magazine, Going Down Swinging, and The Lifted Brow.
Dear confused boomers,
How are you? I know you’re afraid,
but please don’t worry,
my mum is doing a great job
and doesn’t need any of your
unsolicited advice.
Regarding your queries:
As much as you’re sick
of hearing trans folk
talking about ourselves,
I can assure you
that we are far more sick
of hearing you
talking about us.
As for my genitals,
they are as much your business
as your genitals are my business,
but if you think I need surgery
I accept cash,
PayPal, or direct debit.
How do I have sex with my wife?
If you email me with how you do it
I’m more than happy to share
some fun tips and advice
for you and your significant other(s)
regardless of gender.
I know it’s hard work
learning “new” things,
but there are many books
I could recommend
and some of them even have pictures!
I hope this has cleared a few things up for you,
but if it hasn’t I urge you to do some reading
or watch some videos made by other trans girls
on your own time, because honestly
life is too short
and my mother and I have better things to do
than educating ignorant boring people.
Lots of love (and please do not actually email me),
Heather Joan Day
xoxo
