[In October] “New York became the first city in the nation to pass a law offering gender-neutral birth certificates. The new policy will go into effect on January 1, 2019, and calls for the creation of a third gender marker — X — in addition to the current options of M and F.
The new law also mandates that people be allowed to choose their gender marker when applying for amended birth certificates, replacing a previous requirement that applicants provide letters from medical and mental health practitioners confirming their gender identity.
“New Yorkers should be free to tell their government who they are, not the other way around,” New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said in a press release. “This new legislation will empower all New Yorkers — especially our transgender and gender nonbinary residents — to have birth certificates that better reflect their identity, and it furthers the City’s commitment to defending the rights of our LGBTQ community.”
a couple months ago i re-opened my etsy shop because we’re having money troubles. about 2 weeks ago i sold a $65 item, but today when i went to look at my balance i had negative money. why? because etsy had automatically opted me into their “boosted posts” marketing feature, which costs $1 per day. i had to go find the option and turn it off manually.
etsy is opting people into paid marketing without their permission. if you use the site, make sure you aren’t getting charged.
In honor of Britney Spears’ birthday (December 2), I want to remind everyone that this woman was publically ostracized for struggling with the onset of mental illness, divorce, and losing custody of her children after years of media scrutiny and hypersexualization starting at the age of 17. No, she is not just a crazy woman who shaved her head. She’s the victim of an industry that loves to build a woman up before tearing her down.
Okay, so let’s get one thing out of the way now: this is not overnight. You’ll have to discipline yourself to do this for weeks until you get your desired result. After some time it will just come naturally.
STEP 1:
Stand against a wall or door with your feet together and heels touching the wall. Stand up STRAIGHT. If your posture is impotent, then this ain’t happening.
(if you can’t stand, sit as straight as you can)
STEP 2:
RELAX. Don’t tense up your whole body, especially not your shoulders. This is so easy to do.
STEP 3:
Press the back of your neck against the wall (it’s fine if it doesn’t actually touch, we’re just working the muscles)
STEP 4:
Start speaking for 10 minutes. Find a magazine, book, article or even recite a monologue if you know any. You’ll notice your voice is already dropping two octaves.
STEP 5:
DRINK!! WATER!!!! If you feel your throat scatching or at all painful, STOP!! Take a break! And drink water, no ice.
STEP 6:
After ten minutes (or however long you can do) lay down flat. Keep your body straight. Relax your whole body. Try a visualisation where you relax from your feet up into your head. Doing this will give your throats a chance to cool down (it’s still a muscle!!)
**Bonus Tips**
HONEY – it coats your throats and protects it from damage. Use it before and/or after this exercise.
HOT TEA – I suggest ginger, but you can really pick whatever kind you want. As long it’s not coffee.
WATER!!!!
A CORK – if you’re wanting to go the extra mile, put a cork in your mouth and speak. This helps enunciation and can really help.
DON’T FORCE – if you force your voice to sound low it will sound very artificial
BE PATIENT – It’s gonna take time! Take it as a challenge.
I have tried humming while moving my head, singing to Panic! At The Disco and literally EVERY other thing to lower my voice and this is the only thing that has worked.
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