you don't realise how gender coded body language is unless you've experienced it, as a "boy" i was shamed for expressing any joy with my body, anything frivolous was just called "gay."

had to live a stupid stoic, expressionless life and it still wasn't enough.

i was the kind of autistic kid who's hands were a really important part of expressing herself, and like, i'm only now rediscovering that a bit over a year into my transition.

it feels so good to just do that exited hands thing when i'm happy.

seeing this comic was what awoke that in me again, and damn, it just felt so good to express things with my body again. https://sweet-autism-things.tumblr.com/post/166288996107/happy-stimming