Fill in the Blank
by Charlie Manzano (he/him)
My name is Charlie Manzano and I am a transgender man with a history of melanoma. I co-run the Transgender Cancer Patient Project and some other community run events, groups, and projects. I wrote this zine the second time I was diagnosed, as a way of exploring the expectations and microaggressions that I faced both as a trans person and as a cancer patient.
The Transgender Cancer Patient Project is a community led initiative for and by trans patients. We run online support groups, attend events, and create zines (small press books).
Transgender man OR Cancer patient
Followed by comments I get on a daily basis as both
“Are you sure you’re a ______?”
“You’re so young to be a ______.”
“You don’t look like a ______.”
“I know a ______! Just like you!”
“I knew a ______ once.”
“I would rather die than be a ______.”
“I don’t know whether I can date a ______.”
“This is hard on me too.”
“You’re so brave.”
“How did your mom react?”
“I could never do what you do.”
“How could you do that to your body?”
“Isn’t the medication you take bad for your health?
“What kind of surgery are you getting?”
“I’ll pray for you.”
“You should be grateful for modern day medicine. You really wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
© 2019 Transgender Cancer Patient project
Website: transcancerzine.com