You said it - isolating. That's awesome that you have such great coworkers!!

What an excellent post - thank you for writing it. This whole thread you inspired has been fascinating to read. As someone who doesn't share the same life experience (white woman here), I so appreciate your willingness to share your perspective - it's really helped to increase my understanding. Thank you for…

That's how our 'walks' are right now. It's so pathetic. He looks at me like, "no, I want to walk, I need to walk, but NOT HERE, WHY WOULD YOU THINK I WANT TO WALK HERE????" He doesn't understand that I can't change the weather... and I almost wish he'd just pee/poop in the house so I'd know he wasn't incredibly…

Logged in just to beg you to make this show. I would watch this every week.

ACK. How did I miss this?! I was sort of liking her! No. Just, ugh.

Yes, completely!

ACK. What are you supposed to even SAY to that??? I don't know what the appropriate response would even be!

Kindred spirits :)

Me too.

Yeesh, nerve! So raw! Think I hadn't realized the extent, but here it is, huh?

It's maddening! And it's not that I never want to hear about their kids, or about what they're going through, or anything like that. Things I can add any support on, or share any kind of related-ness in the conversation, I am happy to do! But especially in the stage where I am right now, with enough friends who've…

Yes, this! I hate not being able to contribute to the conversation - gets so uncomfortable when the person just goes on and on and on... and then if you find an opportunity to shift, they bring the conversation right back to the original topic. And I agree this gets so touchy when the subject is kids, and people…

I just wanted to add some support here, too. I'm so sorry you've been having to go through all of this. I agree the way so much of society treats trans people is awful, and I'm so sorry for all you're having to continue to deal with. It's so hard. Sending you hope.

Your grad department requires it and makes that request (or forgets to), rather than the financial aid office? Interesting.

I thought admissions decisions were supposed to be need-blind...?

Some don't, though. Neither my undergraduate college nor the university where I'm currently in graduate school actually require you to fill out the FAFSA if you're not applying for aid. I can't speak to any other schools, but I do know that about these two. (They're both private institutions.)

Ahh another Baltimore native here (although not an IND alum), and your name is amazing. AMAZING. Living in Boston for the year and I ask my mom to send me Berger cookies every so often. When she does, I have to hold my breath and hope that my husband doesn't open the package before I get home from work... they…

I totally agree. Huge, huge appreciation to you and your colleagues. Keep it up and know we are grateful!

Of course - my point was that my inclination was to protect the child, but the parent was horrified that I would set limits on her little darling. If a parent is clearly telling me she is not okay with my scolding, touching, or blocking her child and her child is running for my dog, what exactly is the solution to…

I just want to illustrate what Piipes is pointing out - that parents should be responsible for their young humans - and that dog owners can help but can only do so much. I posted this story elsewhere, but parents are often astoundingly negligent, and become incredibly angry if you actually try to tell their children…