All About Webs of Rebellion and Its Author

Updated December 2024

The Blog's Purpose

Hello, I'm Taryn, and Webs of Rebellion is my soapbox -- a space on the internet that I created specifically so I could write without any character limits. I am often a very long-winded person when speaking about topics that are important to me, so at some point Facebook posts were no longer enough.

Does anyone actually read this blog? Very few people, to be honest. But I write mostly for my own benefit anyway, and will continue doing it whether anyone pays attention or not. This is one reason that I don't have a comment section (plus how annoying it would be to actually write the code). But if you're really determined to yell at me for my opinions, you can just find me on social media.

I would say that one of the main concepts of this blog is bringing different perspectives to light. It has been mostly focused on activism and social issues, with a heathy dose of lifestyle topics such as mental health or personal relationships, and other opinion pieces. I will also be sharing my unique perspectives on what it's like to be a Muslim convert, on the asexual spectrum, a front-line healthcare worker, childfree, and other unconventional aspects of my personality and identity -- with occasional fun but seemingly out-of-place posts thrown in as well.

Now, more than ever, it's important to make our voices heard. Though I've always tried to do this on social media, there are things I want to write about in such detail that I can't fit them into a Facebook post. Plus my Facebook is strictly friends-only, which, although obviously a conscious choice of mine, is another type of limit placed on the posts I make there. I decided to create a place of my own online where what I write is limitless -- and public. My hope is that my words can help inspire, be thought-provoking, and maybe even make an impact on someone or change a perspective.

About Me

I live and work somewhere in the Phoenix, Arizona area. I'm an EMT and I work specifically with the homeless, addicted, and mentally ill community. When I started this blog, I worked full-time in a very busy emergency room, which I did for over three years total before returning to my current position. I occasionally write articles about the experiences I've had at work, so I feel it's necessary to mention this for context.

I'm a queer (bi and asexual), progressive Muslim woman, an activist, a former volunteer for a humanitarian organization (something I'd love to do again someday), and do my best to be an ally to all marginalized communities. Additionally, I'm a singer, writer, artist, lover of theatre, dancing, DIY projects, and all things creative.

My biggest interest and the only thing that keeps me sane in this world is music, in particular European heavy metal, darkwave and similar. I also love oldies and have interests within other genres as well, but I will always be a metalhead first and foremost. I am well-known for my passion for my favorite bands (particularly Kamelot, but also Battle Beast, The Vision Bleak, The Birthday Massacre, Dynazty, Orbit Culture, and more).

Other things I'm a fan of include the paranormal and ghost hunting, martial arts, gothic/alternative fashion, world cultures and religions. I am also known for my long hair, my unexpected obsession with Devo especially around 2019, and my intense love for the most-hated Star Wars movie and its director (I will protect Rian Johnson with my life). Spiders have been my favorite animal since I was a little girl, hence the design and title of my blog. I also love parrots and most other types of birds, frogs, and reptiles.

I'm quite the unconventional woman, but a very authentic one; and I appreciate authenticity in others, whether they have shared interests or they're my exact opposite.

Among the many blog posts I've written, there are several scattered throughout that will help you understand me better as a person, as well as read about my experience and certain parts of my identity. The best way to get to know me is to read what I've written, so I do plan to put together a collection of a few I find particularly meaningful and post the links here in an upcoming update.

Statement About Politics and Activism

For most of my life, I had never been "into politics" and had certainly never pictured myself getting involved in political activism. And yes, I absolutely recognize my own privilege that allowed me to choose to ignore politics when others do not have that choice. But one thing I have always believed in is being kind to others, treating others equally and with respect. It pains me to see others being mistreated.

When it got to a point where we, as a country, were actually seriously considering Donald Trump as president after all of his racist and sexist rhetoric, bragging about sexual assault and mocking a disabled reporter -- and so much more -- it made me realize that things were getting too bad for me to stay silent anymore. Staying silent is a choice I will never make again.

Refugees in particular became a group of people near to my heart. They were the most demonized group in the media at that time, and it made me sick to the stomach. I wanted to do something to help them and show them that not all Americans are hateful and unwelcoming. So I began volunteering with refugees in 2016, and have had some of the best experiences working face-to-face with them (prior to COVID-19).

The protesting side of me was born when Trump was inaugurated and almost immediately issued the first refugee ban or "Muslim ban." The news came right after I had gotten home from volunteering with one of my refugee clients, a very sweet Iraqi Muslim man. I was so angry and sad about it that I couldn't sleep for days. I was more than enthusiastic to attend my first protest at that point. Since then, I've made it a point to stand up, speak up, and protest for not only refugees, but for black lives, trans lives, DACA recipients, Jewish communities, and anyone else who's in danger of violence or having their human rights stripped away.

The same night as my first protest, I also went to a mosque for the first time after being interested in Islam for a while. It was a religious tradition that I had mostly begun studying because of how demonized it had become, as well as simply having an interest in learning about other cultures and beliefs. I didn't believe any of the lies circulating about Muslims, and I wanted to become more educated so that I could help educate others. The more I studied it, the more at home I felt. I began wearing a hijab sometimes, and eventually said the shahada (the declaration of faith) and officially became Muslim myself.

Beginning in February 2020, after years of being "different," I realized I was not straight, and not gay, but asexual and biromantic. That was the beginning of yet another self-discovery journey that I hope to share and bring awareness to.

There are a lot of different types of privilege that exist, and some people get upset if you point out the fact that they have privilege. But most of us do have an advantage over someone else in at least one category, some people more than one. I don't have the privilege of being wealthy, Christian, or a man, but I do "blend in" well, even in the areas where I'm in the minority. I only wear a hijab part-time, so when I take it off, you can't tell I'm a minority religion. I'm LGBTQIA, but since I currently want to stay single and most of my past relationships have been with men, you probably wouldn't know I'm not straight if I didn't tell you. My skin is white, and though I'm gender non-conforming as well as queer, most would assume I'm cishet based on nothing but appearance. And I know that it's my responsibility to not only recognize the privileges I do have, but to use them to make my voice heard.

I also view it as my responsibility to educate, and bring awareness to the aspects of myself that are not as widely accepted, so that others who come after me might have it a little easier.