Slut Shaming and How I Choose to Define Myself

trans quote slut shaming

 

Jessica is a trans woman who defines herself as a slut, taking negative connotations away from the label. Do life how you wish to.

We have all been called a slut or a whore before. You only have to walk down the street or look on the internet. As many readers will know, I am a trans woman, having realised a year ago that I was never a transvestite but have always been a woman. When I told my mother, even she said she had known all along.

Since coming out as Trans I had been wracking my brains to work out what kind of woman I am. Eventually I thought to myself: “No, Jess. Just think what kind of girl have you always been?”

The answer was: promiscuous. I love wearing tiny, skimpy dresses with heels as often as possible and want to constantly look like I’m going on a night out. It makes me feel empowered and sexy and womanly. And there is nothing wrong with that.

I am a self-defined slut. I like wearing tiny dresses even when most would deem it inappropriate. You will rarely catch me not in a pair of high heels. I dance provocatively in night clubs. I accept drinks from cute guys/girls. When single, I enjoy kissing and flirting as much as possible. But all of that is only negative if you let it be negative. By defining myself as a ‘slut’ I have taken the power away from sexists and misogynists alike. I have made all these personality traits positive and by dubbing myself as a slut have depicted myself as a fun, free-spirited girl who is not afraid of taking chances.

Is any of that a bad thing? I’m not physically hurting anyone. I am empowering myself and all women around me. By defining ourselves and not giving into media pressure we can all be strong, independent women who are not afraid of anything. As women, we need to not care less what other people and society at large think of us. One thing we feminists stand for is that we must never let anyone else dictate how we should dress, act or be.

The next time another person decides to call you a slut, reject all their negative connotations. It is not and never will be a negative thing. You love who you are, and if that apparently makes you a slut, so what? If you wish, you can turn around and say “yes, I am” than walk away with your most confident walk ever.

See more: Links for transgendered youth