Rainbow pleasantries
When I graduated with my doctorate in physical therapy, some of my first cases were post-surgical trans and non-binary clients looking for grounded, safe physical therapy services. Since then, I’ve been even more attuned to the intricacies of physical therapy implications for this community.
The trans community is unique in that they are broadly undergoing the same voluntary procedures unprompted by underlying tissue injury or dysfunction.
I wanted to lend a bit of my expertise to their recoveries so earlier this year I started offering 100% free virtual treatment sessions on the topic of pain-management in gender affirming healthcare. Through this work I noticed a consistent list of patient concerns and and I realized I needed to organize and develop some resources.
If you’re queer, LGBTQ+, or adjacent to the community you may have heard of rainbow capitalism which has been described as “selling Pride products without standing behind the community with support”.
But what do we call it when people metaphorically stand with the queer community without active ally-ship? I call them rainbow pleasantries. It’s marginally better than participating in rainbow capitalism but still negligibly helpful if at all.
There is an expectation of a personal and professional assessment to identify measurable support within your realm of influence for the community rather than just “cover-your-ass I don’t wanna get cancelled for not supporting gay rights” rainbow flag posts.
So here’s what we’re gonna do:
I’m starting a series of e-books for pain management in gender affirming healthcare decisions. And plan to publish the first iteration this month.
Every e-book in the series will be 100% free forever and ever and ever.
Every single person I commission work from on this project will be LGBTQ+ identifying (and will be paid for their time).
It’s my hope that we can all try to identify at least one small or large way within our unique skillset to actively contribute to the support of some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
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If you, or anyone you know, is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and can offer one of the following skills please reach out by email at nicole@rootspt.com:
Graphic designer and/or illustrator
English to Spanish professional translator
Photographer (human models, not products; must be in CDMX)
Models (to demonstrate physical therapy treatments; must be in CDMX)
