Jens Diary

Dalston, Roe vs Wade & Terfs

24/06/22

Met a friend in Dalston today. I’ve not spent a whole lot of time in Dalston, because when I used to live in Hackney we were in lockdown and I didn’t really get a chance to explore too much. I know it has a reputation for being a hipster nightmare, but now that I live a bit further away from it - I actually really appreciate it. There are some great pubs there, and has a good queer scene. The part of London I currently live in, appears to have no queer scene whatsoever - and you really notice it when it’s gone. Maybe I’ll re-brand myself as a cool Dalston queer, and start smoking and dye half of my hair leopard print. I’m being facetious, but only half way. Dalston high street is the only one I’ve walked down recently where I feel like I might have half a chance of having someone ask me out. Also, there’s a Poundland. 

We met in Coffee Republic, which I have actually never been in before. All I knew about Coffee Republic is that Brian Molko references it in an old Placebo song that I used to listen to a lot when I was a moody, sad teenager. I would say it had one of the worst general auras of any high street coffee chain I’ve been in so far. The seating is too spaced out, and the decor is ugly and also I’m pretty sure the barista called me “sir”.  What I’m saying is, I don’t see what’s so “Republic” about it, and I’ll never go there ever again (unless my friend wants to meet there again, and then maybe I will). 

The ruling on Roe vs. Wade was passed in The States today, and the supreme court allowed it though - essentially giving individual states the right to ban abortions. It’s simultaneously shocking, and also entirely predictable. Every day feels like a struggle to remain optimistic, and the world appears to be moving in very scary directions all the time. As a transwoman, I’ll never face the painful decision as to whether or not I should have an abortion, but as a firm intersectional feminist and advocate of bodily autonomy - I believe it’s imperative that we stand together and challenge these entirely backward developments. Access to reproductive healthcare affects all of us, and the more we can take individual power into our own hands, the better. Trans people know how quickly seemingly won rights can be rolled back, so we’re good to have on side. 

25/06/22

I was going to go out today, but I decided that I can’t be bothered. I have things that I need to write, and projects I need to edit.