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.
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.
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
The Nazis have had a taste of blood now... and to no one's great surprise, they rather liked it.