An important consideration is that McCarthyism failed because of the invention of the TV, people got sick of the witch hunts once the congressional hearings got broadcast on TV, and it led to McCarthy getting censured.
Sure, our hearings are broadcast on tv now (and nobody listens to them) but my point is that many people don't know other trans people, and we need to build a network of sharing the experience of being transgender and giving people good information.
Though it's also important to keep in mind that we have far more issues than that. I doubt whatever they'll attempt to do will be from congress though, most likely the executive branch and local governments.
And yet anticommunism has come back with full force. Anti-left attitudes are perpetuated by the media, including CNN. There's a whole rightwing media ecosystem and a centrist (at best) media which does nothing to counter them.
Honestly, we need to advocate, but more importantly we need to help ourselves before we help others.
I guess it's perfect timing, I'm working on establishing some groups to help, but I can't say what'll happen. I got better and I'm close to being able to help others.
We have to form the narrative based on our own experiences, the media may be against us but the amount of trust in the media is also at a long time low. We have a serious opportunity if we use it. Sure, legacy media is mostly center-right, but modern media isn't.
Believe me, I'm worried, but I trust in a better future even if things look rough right now. Sometimes it takes a serious struggle to get to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Look at gay rights, it's far from a non-issue, but there haven't been a lot of bills attacking gay people because the public opinion is in their favor. Trans people are close to this too, and as time goes on it has improved, hence why this massive backlash has started to happen. Nothing is certain, but if we are vigilant and fight, it will be temporary too.
Thank you, thank you for keeping us informed, Erin! I am the grandmother of a lovely and wonderful trans granddaughter who is 7. She is smart, funny, loving, very artistic and has so many friends BUT she has no idea yet that there are people who will hate her for who she is, no matter how wonderful she is, in the not too distant future. My heart is breaking with each backward and hateful bill.
I was wondering what will happen. I'm afraid of the answer. The FL court has accepted all the paperwork for my name change. I got fingerprinted 8 or 9 days ago. My background check is going to be processed. I'm very close. I live in Florida though. I guess my license will still say I'm male even though I'm a transgender female. I need to get working on a passport, unless they screw that up too. I'm rushing to get this done but I don't think it makes any difference now. Please update us as things go along. Thank you
I’m at about the same place in my name change process — waiting on the last background check to turn everything in — in North Carolina. Then I intend to hit every ID I have as fast as I can. (Already have gender change confirmation.)
My research suggests passports, TSA PreCheck, & Social Security are all pretty simple to update, and since they are Federal documents, state restrictions do not apply.
Hi Robin just to follow up... if anybody is in Georgia or Florida the TransSocial organization assist people with their name change documentation and process. I have a very helpful person assisting me with notarizing of papers online. I believe she's going to help me tomorrow with something that should have been done (but has to be redone). I fell behind because of so many things I had going on. And there are some other groups which I think also helps people with document changes, including A4TE (they mention it in their promotions when I look at it). Of course if you're going to ask for help it's nice to make a small donation if you can. But if you can't they will often pay for your costs. I'm just getting out of a bad financial mess and I'll finally have money soon. And I'm going to give them a nice donation when I complete this process. And boxes of men's clothing that are just sitting in my closet are going to Survivors Pathway down in Miami. Which is another trans supporting organization. It's really important to pitch in these days because some people and organizations are strained financially. Like you mentioned about relocation costs. Also Plume organization online is often doing a fundraiser to get people's GAHC if they can't afford it. I think that's a good idea for my first writings on this Substack. Is to compile a list of the help that's out there. But the key is to verify because some things I read about amounts to outdated information.
If it means anything, moving away from florida to a bluer state will provide a lot of benefits anyway. The priority is federal documents, which could be challenging in the future, but we'll see what they decide to do.
I wish I could Harly. But it took me much of 2024 just to line up all my medical needs in Miami and I have to follow through. It would have been nice to cut and run a year or two ago. I'm stuck here for the foreseeable future.
That sucks, stay safe though. I get it's not easy to do that in many cases. If it means anything, you are in Miami which is slightly safer than some of the other places.
I really think there needs to be a fund for moving trans people out of bad areas and into slightly better ones. Even GA would be an improvement.
Giving you an update Harley. Yeah I'm going to go to Maryland. I just decided during the last 2 weeks. About a year and a half ago I had my sight set on Atlanta. But you know Georgia is really high risk when it comes to trans policies now. I mean look what just happened with the 11th circuit court and what they handed down relating to this Florida situation and prisons. I know there's a pretty strong LGBTQ culture and population in pockets around Atlanta. But I'm not taking any chances and I'm just going to go to Maryland because they specifically past a transgender Bill of Rights that began January 1st of 2024. And my insurance and so many things will be covered and there won't be so many challenges to my basic rights and situation. It's a very supportive environment at the state level. I've done enough research to see that it's going to be a good idea. My big fear is that if the Republicans do something broad sweeping on a national level that is just all inclusive and destructive to transgender people no matter where they reside. But I would expect these proposals or legislative actions to be tied up in courts for at least a couple years. That's all I need to get far enough along and feel comfortable with my transitioning efforts. Anyone who is transitioning needs to stay out of Florida. Do not come here. If you've already transitioned and you just need basic hormonal care and Labs then you're probably okay. But you'll pay out of pocket for meds like I do. Last week at CVS I dropped $76 on my hormones and that was only two of three meds I take. One month of estrogen patches and my 90-day Progesterone supply. A Cis-gen woman would have no problem with insurance covering the same meds. Nothing fair about it. But that's the way it is.
As the situation deteriorates not only in the red states but at the federal level, one can only fervently hope that the eleven or twelve deep blue protective states will still find a way to keep trans people safe, especially IDs, legal recognition, and medical care. These state-level protections are really the last remaining hope.
I am so disgusted. This is not a problem just for trans this is an everyone concern. Pisses me off so many remain silent. It's like "not me" so no issue. When rights are taken and hate directed at anyone it impacts everyone. Thank goodness my Oregon legislators are opening their hearts and working to protect the rights.
For reasons having nothing to do with trans rights, all sports teams involving kids 7 and under should be coed. At that age, sports should be about fun, teamwork, and making new friends. Gender is irrelevant to that task.
"DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! Every (teen) suicide, every harm to trans life and health." <-- Absolutely!
"After this ends THEY WILL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!" <-- Not likely to be possible. Reconciliation hearings publishing every awful, invidious detail individually, certainly. For the worst of them, CFR-1983 cause for suit. Maybe pick the worst 5 or so and pursue CFR-242.
I recall Sun Tzu, "When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object, as Tu Mu puts it, is "to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair." Tu Mu adds pleasantly: "After that, you may crush him." Do not press a desperate foe too hard."
We need Sanders and AOC stat! And how can we organize a peaceful protest with every single one of us because it would take every one of us together in the country at one place protesting
Crazy. We all know that the pendulum swings as a pendulum does: we all have the greatest tool at our fingertips; communication by social media with the World Wide Web. The continuation of educating the general public - every glance, every step, every word, every post. We will win. Sometimes the task will seem monumental. We can do it. Thank you, Erin & Co. Best wishes this festive season Everyone. Please stay as safe and warm as possible. Sending lots of Love from London, Ontario, Canada.
I want to hope that the GA bills will fail, as the legislators did fail a lot of other bills in the past that were like this (a forced outing bill and puberty blocker ban). I hope we can maybe get a dem governor in 2026 if we're lucky. I'm still worried about ga though, if it gets bad I guess it's time to become a masshole.
If you're in Missouri, well uh, that really sucks. I would suggest making plans to move if you want to/can afford it. I recommend Colorado.
The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.
- Albert Camus
Mark my words
It's another Lavender Scare afoot, like the 1950s.
It's McCarthyism against trans people.
And it's only going to get worse before it ever abates.
An important consideration is that McCarthyism failed because of the invention of the TV, people got sick of the witch hunts once the congressional hearings got broadcast on TV, and it led to McCarthy getting censured.
Sure, our hearings are broadcast on tv now (and nobody listens to them) but my point is that many people don't know other trans people, and we need to build a network of sharing the experience of being transgender and giving people good information.
Though it's also important to keep in mind that we have far more issues than that. I doubt whatever they'll attempt to do will be from congress though, most likely the executive branch and local governments.
And yet anticommunism has come back with full force. Anti-left attitudes are perpetuated by the media, including CNN. There's a whole rightwing media ecosystem and a centrist (at best) media which does nothing to counter them.
Honestly, we need to advocate, but more importantly we need to help ourselves before we help others.
I guess it's perfect timing, I'm working on establishing some groups to help, but I can't say what'll happen. I got better and I'm close to being able to help others.
We have to form the narrative based on our own experiences, the media may be against us but the amount of trust in the media is also at a long time low. We have a serious opportunity if we use it. Sure, legacy media is mostly center-right, but modern media isn't.
Honestly, all this is what I am afraid of.
Believe me, I'm worried, but I trust in a better future even if things look rough right now. Sometimes it takes a serious struggle to get to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Look at gay rights, it's far from a non-issue, but there haven't been a lot of bills attacking gay people because the public opinion is in their favor. Trans people are close to this too, and as time goes on it has improved, hence why this massive backlash has started to happen. Nothing is certain, but if we are vigilant and fight, it will be temporary too.
Thank you, thank you for keeping us informed, Erin! I am the grandmother of a lovely and wonderful trans granddaughter who is 7. She is smart, funny, loving, very artistic and has so many friends BUT she has no idea yet that there are people who will hate her for who she is, no matter how wonderful she is, in the not too distant future. My heart is breaking with each backward and hateful bill.
Wishing you and your family and your granddaughter strength to get through this.
I was wondering what will happen. I'm afraid of the answer. The FL court has accepted all the paperwork for my name change. I got fingerprinted 8 or 9 days ago. My background check is going to be processed. I'm very close. I live in Florida though. I guess my license will still say I'm male even though I'm a transgender female. I need to get working on a passport, unless they screw that up too. I'm rushing to get this done but I don't think it makes any difference now. Please update us as things go along. Thank you
I’m at about the same place in my name change process — waiting on the last background check to turn everything in — in North Carolina. Then I intend to hit every ID I have as fast as I can. (Already have gender change confirmation.)
My research suggests passports, TSA PreCheck, & Social Security are all pretty simple to update, and since they are Federal documents, state restrictions do not apply.
So far.
Good luck, everyone! Vive la résistance! ✊🏼
Hi Robin just to follow up... if anybody is in Georgia or Florida the TransSocial organization assist people with their name change documentation and process. I have a very helpful person assisting me with notarizing of papers online. I believe she's going to help me tomorrow with something that should have been done (but has to be redone). I fell behind because of so many things I had going on. And there are some other groups which I think also helps people with document changes, including A4TE (they mention it in their promotions when I look at it). Of course if you're going to ask for help it's nice to make a small donation if you can. But if you can't they will often pay for your costs. I'm just getting out of a bad financial mess and I'll finally have money soon. And I'm going to give them a nice donation when I complete this process. And boxes of men's clothing that are just sitting in my closet are going to Survivors Pathway down in Miami. Which is another trans supporting organization. It's really important to pitch in these days because some people and organizations are strained financially. Like you mentioned about relocation costs. Also Plume organization online is often doing a fundraiser to get people's GAHC if they can't afford it. I think that's a good idea for my first writings on this Substack. Is to compile a list of the help that's out there. But the key is to verify because some things I read about amounts to outdated information.
If it means anything, moving away from florida to a bluer state will provide a lot of benefits anyway. The priority is federal documents, which could be challenging in the future, but we'll see what they decide to do.
I wish I could Harly. But it took me much of 2024 just to line up all my medical needs in Miami and I have to follow through. It would have been nice to cut and run a year or two ago. I'm stuck here for the foreseeable future.
That sucks, stay safe though. I get it's not easy to do that in many cases. If it means anything, you are in Miami which is slightly safer than some of the other places.
I really think there needs to be a fund for moving trans people out of bad areas and into slightly better ones. Even GA would be an improvement.
Giving you an update Harley. Yeah I'm going to go to Maryland. I just decided during the last 2 weeks. About a year and a half ago I had my sight set on Atlanta. But you know Georgia is really high risk when it comes to trans policies now. I mean look what just happened with the 11th circuit court and what they handed down relating to this Florida situation and prisons. I know there's a pretty strong LGBTQ culture and population in pockets around Atlanta. But I'm not taking any chances and I'm just going to go to Maryland because they specifically past a transgender Bill of Rights that began January 1st of 2024. And my insurance and so many things will be covered and there won't be so many challenges to my basic rights and situation. It's a very supportive environment at the state level. I've done enough research to see that it's going to be a good idea. My big fear is that if the Republicans do something broad sweeping on a national level that is just all inclusive and destructive to transgender people no matter where they reside. But I would expect these proposals or legislative actions to be tied up in courts for at least a couple years. That's all I need to get far enough along and feel comfortable with my transitioning efforts. Anyone who is transitioning needs to stay out of Florida. Do not come here. If you've already transitioned and you just need basic hormonal care and Labs then you're probably okay. But you'll pay out of pocket for meds like I do. Last week at CVS I dropped $76 on my hormones and that was only two of three meds I take. One month of estrogen patches and my 90-day Progesterone supply. A Cis-gen woman would have no problem with insurance covering the same meds. Nothing fair about it. But that's the way it is.
As the situation deteriorates not only in the red states but at the federal level, one can only fervently hope that the eleven or twelve deep blue protective states will still find a way to keep trans people safe, especially IDs, legal recognition, and medical care. These state-level protections are really the last remaining hope.
I am so disgusted. This is not a problem just for trans this is an everyone concern. Pisses me off so many remain silent. It's like "not me" so no issue. When rights are taken and hate directed at anyone it impacts everyone. Thank goodness my Oregon legislators are opening their hearts and working to protect the rights.
For reasons having nothing to do with trans rights, all sports teams involving kids 7 and under should be coed. At that age, sports should be about fun, teamwork, and making new friends. Gender is irrelevant to that task.
WE'RE ALL WATCHING THIS JUST HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US AT ONCE NEED TO CARAVAN TO THE WHITE HOUSE OR SOMETHING AND USE OUR VOICES ASAP!
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! Every (teen) suicide, every harm to trans life and health. After this ends THEY WILL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!
"DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! Every (teen) suicide, every harm to trans life and health." <-- Absolutely!
"After this ends THEY WILL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!" <-- Not likely to be possible. Reconciliation hearings publishing every awful, invidious detail individually, certainly. For the worst of them, CFR-1983 cause for suit. Maybe pick the worst 5 or so and pursue CFR-242.
I recall Sun Tzu, "When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object, as Tu Mu puts it, is "to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair." Tu Mu adds pleasantly: "After that, you may crush him." Do not press a desperate foe too hard."
https://suntzusaid.com/book/7/36/ <-- I have no affiliation to that site.
The samurai on the bridge -- do get the job done, not as an enraged monster, but as putting down a rabid dog as may be needful.
They do regard us as that "rabid dog", I keep in mind. They think we are mentally ill cisgender people. No common ground for compromise exists.
You would think the increased suicides would persuade Republicans that this is bad, but it probably only encourages them. Cruelty is the point.
It's open season on trans rights. 2025 is going to be harsh.
Project 2025...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj7butDWLtg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eeCPRD0Hgg
We need Sanders and AOC stat! And how can we organize a peaceful protest with every single one of us because it would take every one of us together in the country at one place protesting
Peaceful? It is a war of genocide now. There is no peace anymore, they do not want it.
"If it happens in politics, you can bet it was planned that way"
Crazy. We all know that the pendulum swings as a pendulum does: we all have the greatest tool at our fingertips; communication by social media with the World Wide Web. The continuation of educating the general public - every glance, every step, every word, every post. We will win. Sometimes the task will seem monumental. We can do it. Thank you, Erin & Co. Best wishes this festive season Everyone. Please stay as safe and warm as possible. Sending lots of Love from London, Ontario, Canada.
I want to hope that the GA bills will fail, as the legislators did fail a lot of other bills in the past that were like this (a forced outing bill and puberty blocker ban). I hope we can maybe get a dem governor in 2026 if we're lucky. I'm still worried about ga though, if it gets bad I guess it's time to become a masshole.
If you're in Missouri, well uh, that really sucks. I would suggest making plans to move if you want to/can afford it. I recommend Colorado.
Don't forget Project 2025, folks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj7butDWLtg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eeCPRD0Hgg
Best to organize.
Just like the song says, they're selling Jesus again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P0yUagEXBE