Working in a heavily stigmatized industry can sometimes feel like a humiliation ritual, especially trying to do charity work within it, or trying to exist as a complex person outside of it.
“How dare you *have a sex life* and be interested in the judicial system? How dare you *post hole online* and deeply support anti-poaching initiatives? How could you even think to enjoy gaming- tabletop, video, war- while having an OF?
How do you have the audacity to exist outside of my fetishized version of you?”
There are moments where doing meaningful work- especially work meant to lift others up, or contrary to that, work entirely seperate from my current work- is met with violent resistance, both from society and within the community itself.
It feels as though empowerment and success is more easily accepted when it comes at someone else’s expense, rather than when it’s rooted in collective progress.
Still, not everyone is ready for change, to see there’s a better future, and that’s okay. I am, so it is happening anyways.
I don’t see myself doing this work forever (I could, don’t get me wrong, legal and regulated granny porn exists and I’d be good at it) just likely another decade.
I can picture a future where my foundation has grown into something strong and sustainable, where women like me have real support, and where fewer people have to endure what I have. I’ve never believed in “I suffered, so you should too.” If anything, I believe the opposite… that hardship should end with us, not continue through us.
And after that? When I’m 40?
Maybe something different. Running animal sanctuary, perhaps. Or time spent south, using my degree and remaining able-bodied years contributing to conservation efforts; protecting elephants, maybe. I’ll figure it out.
@LoveDegradation You’re still out there doing your own job too though which is so admirable 🥹 I love you so much and feel so spoiled to have you in my life
@amazeydazey At the very least, I’m glad to hear that you’re experiencing less IRL incidents like this. Let that trend continue; you’ve already had to deal with too many malicious creeps for one lifetime.