ftmblogger

[ftmblogger]

Trump’s Tariff Tantrum Is Wrecking the Economy and Hurting Everyday Americans

Okay, Tumblr, let’s talk about the chaos Donald Trump is unleashing with his reckless trade policies in 2025. One of the worst things he’s doing right now is slapping massive tariffs on imports—145% on Chinese products. Sounds like a bold “America First” move, right? Wrong. It’s a disaster, and we’re all paying the price.

These tariffs are driving up costs for everything. Cars, groceries, electronics—you name it. The New York Times reported that Trump’s tariffs are disrupting global supply chains and could raise vehicle prices significantly, hitting working-class families the hardest. Businesses are freaking out, and the stock market’s been tanking—S&P 500 dropped 2.7% in a single day last month because of this mess. Trump even admitted on TV he’s not ruling out a recession. A recession! This is the guy who promised an “economic boom like no other.”

And who’s getting hurt? Not just consumers. American manufacturers are getting slammed too. China’s already retaliating, suspending exports of critical resources and ordering their airlines to ditch Boeing planes. Meanwhile, Trump’s acting like this is some genius chess move when it’s really just a wrecking ball to jobs and stability.

This isn’t about protecting American workers—it’s about ego and chaos. His own party’s starting to whisper concerns, but Trump’s too busy bullying allies like Canada and Mexico to care. We’re stuck with higher prices, spooked markets, and a trade war nobody asked for. Tell me, how is this “making America great again”?

[ftmblogger]

clears throat, adjusts beanie, cracks knuckles

So, you thought 2025 was gonna be our year, huh?

Spoiler alert: The universe said, "Hold my beer."

Look, being a trans dude is already like playing life on hard mode—navigating dysphoria, dodging misgendering like it’s a sport, and trying to convince your barber you definitely want the "rugged lumberjack" cut, not a pixie bob. But apparently, the latest plot twist in the Trans Saga™ is [insert recent issue, let’s say, new wave of bathroom bills]. Because nothing screams "freedom" like a politician deciding where I can take a leak.

Picture this: I’m just tryna pee in peace, maybe contemplate the meaning of life while staring at a questionable tile stain, and now I’ve got some Karen with a clipboard ready to inspect my birth certificate like it’s a Black Friday sale at Target. “Sir, ma’am, cryptid, what’s your genital situation?” Like, Karen, I’m just here to empty my bladder, not audition for your dystopian gender cop fanfic.

The dark comedy of it all? These folks are obsessed with our bodies but won’t bat an eye at, oh, I dunno, fixing healthcare so we can afford T without selling a kidney. Priorities, am I right? They’re out here passing laws faster than I can grow facial hair—and trust me, that’s saying something, because this beard is coming in glacial.

But here’s the kicker: they think they’re “protecting” someone. Protect who? The toilet? It’s seen worse things than my trans ass, I promise. Meanwhile, we’re just tryna live, love, and maybe not get hate-crimed on our way to get coffee. Wild concept, I know.

So, to my fellow trans kings out there: keep your head up, your binder on, and your middle finger ready. We’ve survived worse, and we’ll outlast this nonsense too. And to the lawmakers trying to make our lives a circus? Enjoy your 15 minutes of clout, because history’s gonna file you under “Yikes, they really thought that was a good idea?”

#TransManRants #BathroomBillBS #StillHereStillQueer

mic drop, struts off to go overanalyze my jawline in the mirror

[ftmblogger]

Conversion Therapy Isn’t ‘Therapy’—It’s Torture, and the Supreme Court Might Just Greenlight It Again

Y’all, we need to talk about this NOW. The U.S. Supreme Court is eyeing Chiles v. Salazar—Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors—and if they strike it down, we’re handing queer kids over to a meat grinder dressed up as “help.” Conversion therapy isn’t some quirky camp vibe; it’s a psychological gut-punch that leaves scars you can’t see. Studies—real ones, not your uncle’s Facebook rants—say it doubles suicide risk, triples depression rates, and shatters self-worth like it’s nothing. This isn’t “fixing” anyone; it’s breaking them until they fit a mold they were never meant for.

Imagine being 15, queer, and scared, and instead of a hug, you get strapped into a chair while some sanctimonious asshole tells you your soul’s defective. That’s what’s at stake if Salazar falls. Colorado said “nah” to that in 2019, but now? The justices might just rip that shield away, and every state with a ban could domino after it. We’re talking thousands of kids—our siblings, our friends—fed to a machine that churns out trauma like it’s a goddamn assembly line.

And don’t sleep on this: the people pushing to lift the ban? They don’t care about “saving” anyone. They’re the same ones clutching pearls over pronouns while banking on our silence. If this goes south, the blood’s on their hands—and the Supreme Court’s robes. We’ve got data screaming this shit kills, and they’re still like, “Hmm, let’s debate it.” Debate what? The right to not be tortured?

This isn’t abstract. This is personal. If you’re queer, if you love someone who is, this is your fight. Scream about it. Share it. Don’t let them bury us in “maybes” while they sharpen the knives.

[ftmblogger]

Okay, can we just take a moment to bask in the absolute joy 😊 of watching so many of Trump’s unconstitutional executive orders get the legal smackdown 💪 they deserve? Like, I’m over here practically vibrating with happiness because justice is finally showing up, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community. These past few weeks have been a rollercoaster, but seeing these wins? It’s like a warm hug 🤗 after a really rough day.

Let’s talk specifics, because oh boy, there’s some good stuff here. First up, that ridiculous “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism” executive order—yep, the one that tried to erase transgender and nonbinary folks from federal recognition and basically greenlight discrimination in workplaces, schools, healthcare, you name it. It was a blatant attack on the entire LGBTQIA+ community, built on nonsense and bad faith. Well, guess what? Courts are stepping in! Just this week, a second federal judge put a temporary block on its healthcare provisions for trans youth, saying, “Nah, this ain’t it.” And I’m living for it. Every time a judge says “unconstitutional” to this mess, I feel like popping confetti.

Then there’s the attempt to gut Bostock v. Clayton County. You know, the Supreme Court ruling that said discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is sex discrimination under Title VII? Trump’s EO tried to tell federal agencies to “correct” that—like, excuse me, sir, 🤔 you don’t get to rewrite a SCOTUS decision because it doesn’t fit your vibe. The pushback has been fierce, and advocates are already lining up to shred this in court. It’s not just a legal win; it’s a reminder that our rights aren’t up for grabs.

And don’t get me started on the military ban reboot. Reinstating and expanding the ban on transgender service members? In 2025? After we already fought this battle and won? The audacity. But the lawsuits are rolling in, and I’m so here for every single one of them. Thousands of brave trans folks who just want to serve their country 🇺🇲 deserve better than this recycled bigotry.

Honestly, every overturned order feels like a little victory dance 🕺for equality. It’s not just about undoing the damage—it’s about proving that these attacks on our community don’t get to stand. The Constitution isn’t a suggestion, and the courts are making that crystal clear 🔮. Are we all the way there yet? Nope. But seeing these specific examples—like the trans healthcare block and the Bostock defiance getting challenged—makes me feel so hopeful. We’re fighting back 🥊, and we’re winning 🏆 battles. Keep the 🎊 ready, fam, because I’ve got a feeling there’s more good news coming.

[ftmblogger]

Should I Start Writing Fan Fiction? (Or, Is This a Slippery Slope?)

So, here’s a thought I didn’t expect to be having in 2025: Should I start writing fan fiction?

I know, I know—big existential questions happening over here. But hear me out. I’ve been writing in various forms for years—blogging, poetry, journal articles, existential grocery lists—and I keep coming back to the idea of writing something just for fun. Something a little unhinged. Something that doesn’t have to be deeply meaningful or optimized for engagement. And, well… fan fiction seems like the perfect outlet for that.

Now, I have zero commitment to a specific character or series yet, but I do know one thing: if I do this, it’s going to be queer. Because let’s be honest, everything’s better with a little gender f*ckery and some unexpected sapphic energy.

Some ideas currently rolling around in my brain like marbles in a washing machine:

Salad Fingers, but queer? I have no idea what that even looks like, and I think that’s exactly why I should write it. There is shockingly little Salad Fingers fanfic out there (for reasons I completely understand), but imagine a fleshed-out backstory, existential horror, and maybe even a strange, tragic love story? Disturbing? Absolutely. But that’s kind of the point.

Venom—a fandom that already leans queer, let’s be real. Symbiote relationships? Metaphors for dysphoria and bodily autonomy? Dark humor and a sentient pile of goo that just wants to eat tater tots? The potential is endless.

The Child’s Play franchise. Chucky, Tiffany, and maybe even Glen/Glenda? A perfect mix of camp, horror, and unhinged gender discussions. Honestly, Don Mancini already made it queer, but that just means I wouldn’t have to do as much heavy lifting.

Pokémon, but with a fresh take. I feel like the market is saturated here, but I could go weird with it. Like, a gritty crime drama in the Pokémon world? A trans Gym Leader story? A body horror exploration of what really happens in the Pokédex entries that say things like “This Pokémon steals the souls of children”?

A trans Jessica Rabbit. Because why not? What if she wasn’t just “drawn that way” but actually going through her own transition, navigating the cartoon industry while dealing with the expectations placed on femme-presenting characters? Someone’s got to rewrite the narrative.

Of course, the big question is: Do I have the time for this? Probably not. Will that stop me? Also probably not.

I guess what I’m saying is—if you all start seeing random, slightly unhinged fanfics from me, just know that this post was the warning shot. Also, if you have opinions (or want to peer-pressure me into one of these ideas), let me know. I make no promises, but I’m open to enabling.

[ftmblogger]

Title: The ‘Debate’ About My Existence (or Why I’m Tired)

Ah yes, another fine day in the land of the free, where my humanity is apparently an open-ended discussion topic. You know, like climate change, the ethics of pineapple on pizza, or whether AI is going to steal our jobs. (Spoiler: It already did, and now I’m having an existential crisis with my chatbot.)

But seriously—why is my existence still up for debate? Why are my rights, my healthcare, my ability to simply exist without being harassed, policed, or legislated into oblivion still treated like a fascinating thought experiment for people who will never have to live with the consequences?

Every time I open social media (which, let’s be real, is already a mistake), I see another bad-faith argument disguised as an “intellectual discussion.” Some rando with a profile picture of a bald eagle and a Bible quote will confidently inform me that being trans is a mental illness, a fad, or—my personal favorite—proof of society’s decline. Meanwhile, another article will ask, in the most neutral NPR voice possible, “Should trans people have rights? A discussion.”

Here’s a wild idea: Maybe some things don’t need to be debated. Maybe my ability to access healthcare, exist in public, or have my gender recognized shouldn’t be a hot take. Maybe, just maybe, I shouldn’t have to argue that I deserve to be treated as a full person every time I step outside.

I’ve noticed that the people most invested in “debating” my existence tend to fall into two categories:

1. The Willfully Ignorant – People who think transness is a new concept, despite overwhelming historical and scientific evidence proving otherwise. They could Google things, but they won’t, because the comfort of their ignorance is more appealing than the discomfort of challenging their worldview.

2. The ‘Just Asking Questions’ Crowd – These folks love playing devil’s advocate. They don’t actually care about trans rights; they just enjoy poking at marginalized people like we’re lab specimens. They think they’re being intellectual, but really, they’re just exhausting.

To be clear, I’m not against discussion. I love a good conversation with people who are genuinely curious, open to learning, and engaging in good faith. But when someone asks me to justify my right to exist, it’s not a debate—it’s a trap. Because no matter how many statistics, studies, or personal experiences I share, the goalposts will move. The point was never to understand; the point was to drain me of my energy until I give up.

And that’s the thing—I’m tired. I’m tired of arguing my humanity. I’m tired of the endless discourse, the bad-faith debates, the need to be hyper-educated and patient just to convince people that I deserve the same rights they take for granted.

So, here’s where I land: I’m done debating my existence. I’m here. I’m trans. I have a life to live, and I refuse to waste it arguing with people who will never see me as a full person.

What about you? Have you found a way to disengage from these soul-draining debates? Or do you still feel like you have to fight for every inch of your right to exist? Let’s talk. But fair warning—if you’re here to play devil’s advocate, don’t expect a warm welcome.

#TransRights #TransIsBeautiful #LGBTQ #QueerVoices #TransBlog #TransMasc #FTM #NonBinary #GenderDiscourse #SocialJustice #HumanRights #QueerCommunity #MentalHealth #ADHD #Recovery #TransVisibility #Activism #SpeakYourTruth #NoDebate #LetUsLive

[ftmblogger]

Let’s Get One Thing Straight (It’s Not Me)

Welcome to my personal blog. I could start this off with some generic “Hi, I’m Frank, and I’m so excited to be here!” introduction, but let’s be honest—if you’re here, you’re either mildly curious, incredibly nosy, or just killing time before doomscrolling takes over again. Whatever brought you here, I appreciate it.

So, who am I? The short version: I’m Frank, a trans man, a blogger, and a former scientist with a background in clinical research. I’ve spent years in various fields—science, business, nonprofit work, and now writing. My main blog (FTM Blog) is all about transmasculine life, resources, and community, but here? Here, I get to be a little more candid. This space is for all the things that don’t quite fit into neat, SEO-friendly categories.

Expect a mix of personal reflections, social commentary, and probably some snarky observations about the world at large. Topics will include (but are not limited to) trans issues, mental health, addiction recovery, the absolute clownery of politics, and whatever else I find worth dissecting. I might also throw in a little pop culture or niche interests—because yes, I contain multitudes.

I’m not here to be a brand, a role model, or a carefully curated persona. I’m just a guy trying to figure out where I stand in the chaos. And maybe, in the process, some of you will relate, disagree, or have insights that help me refine my own perspective. Open dialogue is welcome—just don’t be an ass about it.

I’m aiming for at least one post a week, though we’ll see how that goes. If you’ve got thoughts, suggestions, or even just a “Frank, you’re wrong and here’s why,” feel free to share. I can’t promise I’ll agree, but I do promise I’ll listen.

So, here we go. Let’s see where this takes us.