Vayl Larkin (they/them)

I'm a Trans, Disabled, wheelchair-riding writer living in Pittsburgh, PA, historical Monongahela Territory. I write poetry, plays, short fiction and some wildly speculative essays!

Hobbies include fiber crafts/needlework, watercolors, and designing game assets in Blender.

Whimsy improves most things. Those it does not, deserve their gravity and weight. Two things (or even more!) can be true at the same time. Eyes open to see injustice, heart open too. <3

https://vayllarkin.micro.blog/

Ethnicity: Irish
Height: 5 feet
Eye Color: Hazel Green
Hair: Short, Curly & Fuscia (purple in pic)

Last Notes

2025-10-05 13:36:51 UTC

Does anyone know a good, non-evil blogish site where I can post longer-form #writing to link to from my @disabled account? The 500 char limit on here might be good for my editing skills, but I don't write limericks and I'm tired of not being able to easily share stuff. *shrug*
Essential Stuff: No Nazis. No TERFs. Preferably no Billionaires. (Endorsed by the management, tbc. I realize they're like centipedes and can sometimes get in through the floorboards)

2025-09-27 09:36:22 UTC

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This is really cool, and I agree that it's more prevalent on Fedi than elsewhere. I will throw a caveat in here that for non-dude, non-white, non-cis people on here it's a bit less consistent. There are a lot more people willing to correct you incorrectly, respond aggressively to correction themselves, etc.
Tbc: This is less a 'correction' than an expansion - Value this climate of civility, but make sure you're equally applying it. I wish this level of discourse for everyone.

2025-09-23 15:16:43 UTC

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I hope it's ok if I ask this - I'm a white wheelchair user. If I see cops/ICE, chances are I can't get to them. Is there Anything else I can do? I don't know if there are tip lines, or anything online? I know to post what area they're in, but nothing else. I'm something of a shutin and there's every chance I might not run into this situation, but I'm wondering for people in general who may have a will, but not a way to physically intervene. Thanks to anyone who might have advice!

2025-09-18 00:33:21 UTC

Please for the love of everything, when you are talking about people in the US, Kindly remember that if we are Disabled, Poor, ETC., we likely have NO ability to leave this country. Trust us. We know how bad it is. Read history, or heck, look at Anywhere Right Now to see that this is the case for a significant portion of any population. My hometown took in the Only Jewish refugees given sanctuary in the US in WWII. There were ~1,000. Many people do not get out, ever. Have some understanding.

2025-08-24 15:36:36 UTC

Anyone #Indigenous who might be up for a complicated question?
Where I grew up, Native heritage is common, but typically only those raised, in community/on-Rez, claimed it.
My partner, whom I met there in childhood, is ~ 2/3 Mohawk/Haudenosaunee, but he has paler skin from his Scots grandfather, and passes for white. Most probably assume "some kind of" non-white heritage because of his features, but he doesn't address it.
(1/4)

2025-07-25 11:44:28 UTC

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So, long story slightly less long: I was (pre-wheelchair), outdoorsy in the extreme. Upstate NY, where I'm from, around the lake is rife with ferns, between the damp and the shade from all the trees. The smell of fern is one of my top favorite comfort aromas. If you wafted some dirt and water, a rock, and a fern frond under my nose I'd probably transform into my next evolution or something.

2024-12-28 14:39:25 UTC

Thinking about switching instances, but only because the 500 char limit means I post less on here than I might. Not sure if posting More is necessarily a Good idea, but hmmm.
Any suggestions for Well-Modded instances, with larger character limits? I'm a Trans, Autistic wheelchair user with a professional background in writing, (plays and tech), music and other performance fields.
Thoughts?

2024-12-22 12:04:14 UTC

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Thank you So much! This is far more comprehensive than I hoped for and what you're saying makes a lot of sense even from what I can observe.
I'm unhappy being in such an isolationist environment. I'm kind of a background chimera, jobs ranging from sex worker to tech writer, but I'm extremely frustrated that as a white, trans, disabled person I am safe-ish here, (Bsky/etc. are kind of a nightmare), but other people are really not.
Not sure of the right thing to do.

2024-12-20 16:55:39 UTC

I'm hearing some conflicting things about on-platform #Racism and I'm hoping to get a more comprehensive picture.
Black Users Only: Why do you still use Mastodon? Would you recommend it to a Black friend and if so, are there resources to help them safely navigate? If you're on your way out, would you feel comfortable sharing where, so I can share? Mostly folks exiting Bsky
Hesitant to ask for free labor and will not be offended if you choose to respond just with hashtags to follow.
Thank you.

2024-09-02 23:13:33 UTC

As a #Disabled #Writer, I find the idea offensive in the extreme that I need an LLM to do my writing. We are all able to create in various ways. I am also able to find Positive, Ethical, Person-Centered Assistance if and when I require it, and I don't need to steal from anyone to do it. Am I more privileged than some? Yes! Lack of privilege is also not an excuse for exploitation of others, surprise. I am Sick of my abilities and life being somehow both dismissed, and extorted for others' gain.

2024-07-08 23:34:13 UTC

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I believe the Dharmic concept is "Mudita". Joy in the joy of others. It's always been both a bastion and a goal for me.