Revealing my gender identity on Mastodon turned out to be quite the event. I really should have saved the title “My coming out party” for this post.
On Thursday morning last week, I began migrating my old Mastodon account to a new server with a new username. When that process completed, I published a series of re-introductory messages.
Then my notifications went crazy, sounding as if a caffeine-addled speed addict started slapping the bejeus out of my doorbell.
And when I could finally read the replies racing past, I started crying.
So much affirmation! So much support! Not a single NAZI or TERF among them. Just kind people welcoming and embracing me. They were—every one of them—wonderful.
But… but it didn’t stop. Not on Thursday, not even on Friday. By the time the deluge slowed, there were hundreds and hundreds of comments. And over a thousand new followers. I lost track of how many boosts and favorites were sent my way.
Of course, I had to reply to all of them. I was compelled to acknowledge each kindness, not just with a rubberstamped message but crafted words for all those who made the same kind of effort for me.
And sometime late Saturday night, I finally managed to catch up to the latest comments. I also followed back anyone who sent a message that I wasn’t already following.
It was totally worth the time and the typing. Because people and connections matter. That’s why I belong to a social network in the first place.
Anyway, this is my love letter to all of you on Mastodon. Thank you, again.
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