Omm nomm nommmmmm.
definitely not Aiel. Though I find it funny you're using those rumors here. If you are. I'm going to pretend you are because that's funnier. :D

I had to read that twice to get it. I was like.. "Cairhienin? Is he really implying that they are before Laman's Folly? Innnttteerreessttinnnggg"
Regardless, I'm still loving it.

Spear sister, You are amazing and I love you forever for this reference.

Perhaps this is why I didn't read the question as an attack... I'm far too used to LGb(..t?) spaces being unsafe for me and seeing lots of racefail. Sometimes in an actively hostile way, sometimes in a stupid questions and presumption of knowledge or relationship that isn't there. I instinctively evaluate every space I'm in for it's safety re: trans * stuff, and I'd be very surprised if that calculation wasn't present regarding ableism as well.

Right now I'm working on "Right to Ride" by Prof. Blair L. M. Kelly and "Press Enter" by John Varley (which has some issues with race).

A couple reccs, but the first book comes with a HUGE trigger warning, but you might give "Grunts" by Mary Gentle a try. I really can't emphasize enough how big of a trigger warning though, the book is a comedy... sorta.. but it's got some pretty nasty things in it.

Second book is sci fi, and oldschool hardcore sci-fi at that, but one of my favorite: Joe Haldeman's "The Forever War"

If you feel like reading a slightly longer series, but more fun than intense, try Margret Weis and Tracey Hickman's Death Gate cycle. It has an interesting well worked out magic system and one of my favorite characters of all times in the second book.

:)

ugh number 3. So tired of that "if you would just wear a little more makeup you'd look SO much more feminine!" from my mom... with the occasional add-on of "If I just had been able to raise you as a girl you'd not be like this." Pink hair and a piercing... wooo so skeery, and absolutely NO cis women look like me at all. Nope nope nope.

Everything you say is fair. Season One is atrocious. The fighting DOES get a little better but is never stellar. I might get some Firefly fans mad about this, but I think it's not until Dollhouse that he gets a decent fight choreographer, and a cast that can really support it. The one thing that I'd say to add a little perspective about Buffy herself, however, is that I think Joss intended for her to be horrible in all the ways you described. From the later seasons, including season 2, it really did feel like he was pointing out all the problems with these characteristics.

My condolences. If I can donate I will, but my heart goes out to you and your family

Nashville is/has been dealing with something along these lines. There was a bit of an uproar over it, but I'm not sure how it has shaken out as the coverage dropped off. Need to check with my mom, she'd actually know :P

We construct the image that we wish people to see, and then run with it. Some more consciously than others, and I think that's the key point, to not just do something "because", but fully aware of a choices implications and effects. Clothing as much as everything else we do in life.

Nashville recently tried to pass an anti-sagging law. Horrible idea that would be enforced unevenly just as a by-product of our cops being much more prevalent in heavily PoC areas. That story could go on and on. Gr.