Wandered over to a drum corps subreddit early this morning, where I read a post from a young man. Seventeen years old, wants to try out for the Cavaliers (DCI’s last all-male corps). Identifies as a trans man, a full year past his transition. Wants to know if his status will be an issue, medically or socially.
Responses pour in from current and recently former members of the corps, and even from a staffer. All are welcoming, without reservation: Bring your best stuff, they tell him, work hard during audition camp, and be sure you tell medical staff if there’s anything you need. We welcome male and male-identifying members. It’s all good.
I am welling up as I read all of this, remembering how and why I was shown the door from organized drum corps (lesbians, especially in the more “male” spheres of the activity, were simply not accepted in the same way and on the same terms as gay men back then).
Sad that I could not have marched in such an atmosphere, and SO damned happy that this young man gets to do so now.
Change is Everything, if we only allow it to happen.
#MarchOn
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