Blogger, Artist, Social Media, Web Designer, Photographer- I blog about nouns-people, places and things, even when it's negative I try to put a positive spin on it. @tinawinterlikfb https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
Androgyny, Music, and the Conversations We’re Having Today πΆ✨
Lately, I’ve been seeing more conversations around gender identity—especially when it comes to young people. It can feel like everything is changing so quickly. But when I sit back and really think about it… I’m not sure that’s entirely true.
Many of us grew up with artists who were already challenging gender norms—long before social media, long before today’s language existed.
Think about David Bowie π
Or Elton John πΉ
Or Prince π
They weren’t just musicians—they were forces. They played with identity, fashion, expression. Back then, we often used the word androgynous. It was mysterious, artistic, even admired.
There was also Annie Lennox π€ and Boy George π, who both blurred lines in ways that made people stop and look.
And let’s not forget Grace Jones π₯—bold, unapologetic, and completely unique.
These artists didn’t fit into neat boxes—and maybe that was the point.
So What’s Different Now? π€
Today, we hear more specific language—terms like trans, non-binary, gender fluid. For some people, that feels unfamiliar or even overwhelming.
But maybe what’s really changed isn’t the existence of these experiences—it’s the visibility, and the words people now have to describe themselves.
What used to be expressed through art, fashion, and music is now being spoken out loud in everyday life.
From Stage to Real Life π
Back then, we might have celebrated these expressions on stage—while still expecting “normal” roles in everyday life.
Today, young people are asking: Why can’t I be fully myself everywhere—not just in art, but in my daily life?
That’s a big shift.
The Role of Support π
That’s where communities like Mama Bears come in.
They’re not about having all the answers.
They’re about listening.
Learning.
Showing up.
A Thought to Sit With πΏ
Maybe this moment isn’t about something entirely new.
Maybe it’s about something that has always been there—finally being named, understood, and lived more openly.
And maybe, just maybe…
the same spirit that once inspired us through music πΆ
is now asking us to show that same openness and curiosity in real life.
Reflective Questions π
When you think back to artists like David Bowie or Prince, how did you perceive their style and identity at the time? Has that perception changed?
What does the word androgynous mean to you today compared to when you first heard it?
Do you think society was more accepting of gender expression in art than in everyday life? Why or why not?
How do you feel about the language used today (trans, non-binary, gender fluid)? Does it clarify things, or feel confusing?
What role do you think visibility plays in shaping public understanding and acceptance?
Have you ever felt pressure to fit into a specific role or identity? How did that affect you?
What does “support” look like to you when someone is trying to understand who they are?
Do you think conversations today are opening doors—or creating new tensions? Why?
How can we balance personal beliefs with compassion and respect for others’ experiences?
What can we learn from past artists and cultural icons about freedom of expression?
A Call for Unity, Compassion, and Strength❤️π§‘ππππ✌️π
Transgender people have always existed—across cultures, throughout history, from Indigenous societies to modern-day struggles. It is not a new phenomenon or a trend, but a part of the human experience, woven into the tapestry of who we are. And yet, the pain, confusion, and judgment faced by trans individuals today, especially the young and vulnerable, is staggering.
For so many trans youth, growing up in a world that doesn't always accept them, the weight of rejection, ignorance, and bigotry can be unbearable. The suicide rates, the isolation, the internal battle—these are all too real. And yet, for every trans person who fights for their right to live authentically, to exist with dignity and respect, there are voices that seek to tear them down. We’ve seen the damaging rhetoric that comes from those in positions of power—people who, by all accounts, should know better.
But history is full of warriors. Artists, musicians, and rebels have always been the ones to push boundaries, to challenge societal norms, and to stand up for those whose voices have been silenced. David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Freddie Mercury, Elton John, Boy George, Prince—each of them faced ridicule, each of them stood strong in the face of a world that was uncomfortable with their brilliance, their individuality, and their truth. Their music, their art, and their courage became a symbol of the resistance against ignorance, greed, and oppression.
The fight for trans rights is, at its core, a fight for humanity. It’s a fight for the right to live authentically and to be seen and heard for who you truly are, not what others want you to be. It’s a fight against the forces that seek to control, to diminish, and to profit off human suffering—whether that’s through pharmaceutical companies that profit from the pain of those seeking to live as their true selves, or politicians who would rather sow division than foster understanding and compassion.
But through all of this, one truth remains: trans people, like all people, deserve to live with dignity, love, and respect. We cannot allow the forces of greed, ignorance, and hatred to push us into silence or despair. The weight of their cruelty will always be lighter when we stand together—when we fight back with the power of our art, our music, our stories, and our hearts.
Let us not forget the power of creativity and resistance. Let us fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Let us raise our voices for the kids, the young adults, and the marginalized who are struggling to hold on, to find peace, and to survive in a world that too often seems determined to crush them. We can do better—we must do better. And we will.
It’s time to warrior up. Stand up. Speak out. Fight back. Stand for the trans community. Stand for the future. Stand for humanity.
So bizarre, as if holding a sign that says, "no racism, no hate" is a bad thing. Well if you support Trump it obviously is. Did you see the video of Hitler's rise to power. I beg of you all to have a conversation, we are at a serious crossroads here...you must remember what Bernie says, how growing up in a basically a migrant neighbourhood in the US and going to the market and people had serial numbers tattooed on their arms. Have a conversation about hate and racism, educate yourself and your children. Do NOT be apathetic at this time in history because you may NOT have the opportunity in the future.
CHOOSE LOVE NOT FEAR!!!
I do not think some people realize the SERIOUSNESS of this situation. Please for those of you who are older and remember the the World Wars and all the suffering, speak up, DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN...because it's brewing. People, older people I find are apathetic, they don't really care, they are not in touch or they think they can't do anything...but YOU MUST!
Speak with your children, your family and friends, SPEAK OUT AGAINST HATRED!!
Did you read the story of Anne Frank? It has been many years since I read it but it affected me deeply. Share this story, this could be your child? Do you want this to happen to them? Is this the life you want for your family, your country, the world?
During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Anne Frank received a blank diary as one of her presents on June 12, 1942, her 13th birthday.[8][9] According to The Anne Frank House, the red, checkered autograph book
which Anne used as her diary was actually not a surprise, since she had
chosen it the day before with her father when browsing a bookstore near
her home.[9] She began to write in it on June 14, 1942, two days later.[10][11] On July 5, 1942, Anne's older sister Margot received an official summons to report to a Nazi work camp in Germany, and on July 6, Margot and Anne went into hiding with their father Otto and mother Edith. They were joined by Hermann van Pels, Otto's business partner, including his wife Auguste and their teenage son Peter.[12] Their hiding place was in the sealed-off upper rooms of the annex at the back of Otto's company building in Amsterdam.[12][13] Otto Frank started his business, named Opekta, in 1933. He was licensed to manufacture and sell pectin,
a substance used to make jam. He stopped running his business while
everybody was in hiding. But once he returned, he found his employees
running it. The rooms that everybody hid in were concealed behind a movable bookcase in the same building as Opekta. Mrs. van Pels's dentist, Fritz Pfeffer,
joined them four months later. In the published version, names were
changed: the van Pelses are known as the Van Daans, and Fritz Pfeffer as
Mr Dussel. With the assistance of a group of Otto Frank's trusted
colleagues, they remained hidden for two years and one month.
They were betrayed in August 1944, which resulted in their
deportation to Nazi concentration camps. Of the eight people, only Otto
Frank survived the war. Anne died when she was 15 years old in Bergen-Belsen, from typhus.
The exact date of her death is unknown and has long been believed to be
in early March, a few weeks before the prisoners were liberated by
British troops in April 1945. However, new research in 2015 indicated
that Anne may have died as early as February.[14]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall Read about the wall. Do you know about the wall. HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS!!
The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989.[1] Constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany), starting on 13 August 1961, the Wall completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin until government officials opened it in November 1989.[2] Its demolition officially began on 13 June 1990 and was completed in 1992.[3] The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls,[4] which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc
claimed that the Wall was erected to protect its population from
fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in
building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that had marked East Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period.
Do you want to go backwards? Do you want your children, neighbours, friends and family to suffer the things these poor souls went through.
Don't be apathetic, speak up for #HUMANRIGHTS, #SOCIALJUSTICE #LOVE
To Canadian and Worldwide #MEDIA, I implore you to do the ETHICAL THING, RAISE AWARENESS about the wall, about Hitler, about CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY but do it in away to encourage people to #LOVE one another so that #LOVE GROWS AND hatred dies NOT vice versa. For the sake of ALL OUR #CHILDREN, NOW IS THE TIME!!!
WE MUST UNITE FOR #LOVE!
Listen to what David Bowie says here...he was referencing "the wall" and YOU CAN BE HEROES, even if it's just for ONE DAY!! That one day is the VOTE!!! I beg you America, you are being tested now...don't fail...
"I, I can remember (I remember) Standing, by the wall (by the wall) And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads) And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall) And the shame, was on the other side Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever Then we could be heroes, just for one day" "Then we could be heroes, just for one day"
Lazarus Look up here, I’m in heaven
I’ve got scars that can’t be seen
I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen
Everybody knows me now
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie (/ΛboΚ.i/),[1]
was an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record
producer, arranger, painter and actor. He was a figure in popular music
for over four decades, and was considered by critics and other musicians
as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. His androgynous appearance was an iconic element of his image, principally in the 1970s and 1980s. Read More
I loved David Bowie's voice. It was AMAZING!! He could sing anything and he was in such fabulous performances. Gosh when I think of all the thing he did. Very sad to lose such a SHINING STAR!!
Remember Labyrinth, I was just looking at clips the other day. I LOVED that show. Man we show get them to play it on big screens in honor of him. I am so sad right now as I remember him.
This was such a fun song, I remember I sort of hated it when it came out because it was Disco, I hated everything Disco, I liked Rock!! I thought they had sold out! But I changed over time and I think it's cute!
And this, it wouldn't be Christmas with out this!! David does the intro.
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?
Why can't we give love give love give love?
Give love give love give love give love give love?
Rest in Peace Sweet Man!! I am so sad to hear of you passing at such a young age. I send love and light to all your family and share this Peace Prayer Flag with you. May you Rest In Peace and Sing with the angels.
R,I.P David Bowie- Sending you love and light! May you sing with the angels now!
#PeacePrayerFlagProject
#WeCouldBeHeroes
""Heroes""
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be Heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time,
just for one day
We can be Heroes, for ever and ever
What d'you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing,
nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be Heroes,
just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be Heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns shot above our heads
(over our heads)
And we kissed,
as though nothing could fall
(nothing could fall)
And the shame was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be Heroes,
just for one day
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
Just for one day
We can be Heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying,
then you better not stay
But we could be safer,
just for one day
