Blog #1

My name is Syd Brown and I am a twenty three year-old trans man and avid surfer and skater. My hope is to create a place where people can feel safe and secure in a group setting to explore the sports they may have missed out on as a child. I know for me, swimsuits were a big issue for me as a growing up. I didn't want to have to wear a bikini, but everyone praised me for wearing them and I thought "I'm a girl, I have to wear this." Little did I know, no one would care if I wore board shorts and a rash guard. I always felt like eyes were on me all the time as a little girl and they likely were, from men (yes some very grown men), so I assumed those eyes would still be there when I wore different clothing, but nope! I began wearing masculine clothing and it's like no one saw me. Men didn't know how to interact with me, women were afraid I was flirting with them, I felt so alone. When I transitioned I was finally accepted by boys and I had girls seem interested in the possibility that I was flirting with them (I was not).

I hope this website can provide resources and community to people who otherwise don't have it. I, selfishly, want a large group of queer individuals I can call friends, maybe even family. Many queer and gender diverse people find that they no longer connect with their biological family, some are even shunned. I hope I can create a new family for those who lost theirs and create a family 2.0 for myself. My family struggled to understand my transition and my subsequent queer awakening, but they've always supported me in every way they know how to. Even though sometimes I want support in ways they don't know how to give, they've provided me with the life I have today and for that I am grateful. I found since my transition, my dad listens to me more. It's like my deeper voice commands attention whereas my higher pitch one implied consent (oops I said it).

Gender is such a complex topic and so many people have differing views on it. I want to bring all of the different views together and TALK about it. Not argue, fight, or lecture. Just talk. So let's talk! Subscribe for updates and let me know what you want me to talk about more.