More response from M

I received another email from M today. I've included below both the email I sent her in response to her first email and her reply. What struck me most about this reply wasn't the content of what she was saying, but that she replied afterwards apologizing for sounding so angry. It really tugged at my heart-strings. Here is a situation I've asked these women to be honest and open and even in this situation M still felt as a woman she had to apologise for the somewhat aggressive nature of her email.

It made me feel really passionate about finishing this project. It made me feel really passionate about doing these women justice. So much of female zine culture is about discussing your opinions in a censorship free environment, and I want these women to feel as though they are able to do that. Their thoughts are so important. The things that make them feel angry, and frustrated and passionate are so INCREDIBLY important. It's the openness of this variety of women that will allow my project to shine with integrity and relatability. I really want to do these gals justice with this final publication. I'm beginning to consider the context of the final book. I thought initially it could be used as an educational tool but I'm starting to wonder if that's an appropriate context. I think these women need a platform that truly allows the honest of their words to shine.

FROM ME

Thank you a billion ♥ I was re-reading through your answers and just noticed that you said you felt you had more to say and just wanted to check in and give you the opportunity to discuss anything else that may have come to mind ♥
I love the point you raised about the connection between the idea of femininity and hairlessness, would you consider hair to be something that you feel is important to your own womanhood, or is it the societal projections that come alongside the length of hair and femininity? I think I'm phrasing this really badly haha. What I mean is, does the length of your hair determine how you feel about your womanhood // femininity or does the length of your hair not bother you at all, but you're aware of how society may project onto it? In turn, does this sometimes make you feel as though you have to live up to an idea of 'femininity' in order for your (trans)women status to be accepted? 
It would be nice if the idea of femininity wasn't so societally locked with the idea of validating the female gender.
Sending love 
Xo

M’s REPLY

I aim to oppose any social constructs which seem to pressure any form of hair removal or hair growth to be taken on in the name of 'belonging' to a gender or sub-group. I believe there are heavy expectations placed on women which seem to be enforced to categorise and label what is feminine, masculine, slovenly, unkempt etc. but especially so for transgender women. Often there are perceived ideals for someone wishing to transition in the 'right way' and heavy hitting aimed at those who choose to oppose or question the confining shackles of female beauty. Ideals towards women must change before the ideals placed upon trans women are ever to shift. An unshaven woman will, however, be approached differently than an unshaved transgender woman could expect to be: namely because a trans woman is expected to conform to a notion of heightened feminine attire and aesthetic. Hence the long flowing hair, silky smooth skin and freshly made up appearance of a socially confined trans woman is less challenging to an ignorant society than an androgynous, self-expressing free woman.    


Oh heavens. I'm sorry this is so angry, I just watched Milk and I'm angry that ignorance costs people's lives and opportunities. Haha x Hope it's all going well x Sorry I'm so terrile at replying c