The bill passed by a wide margin in the Senate and will be the starting point for negotiations with the House, which contain more severe anti-trans riders.
NO! fuck this defeatism. they caved because queers aren't organized and we didnt mobilize. the task moving forward is to build our organizing power so we can primary all our enemies who voted for or abstained on this shit
I’m looking for the part where I suggest we lie down on the floor and play dead. You’re confusing realism for defeatism. The point I make is that the ally ship that we thought we had isn’t there.
It's there when they need us to round out Dem inclusion photo ops around election time but that's about it. Dems have had every opportunity to seize upon the grotesque fascination Republicans have with our bodies and identities and flip it and use the weird ass GOPMAGA perversity as a tool against them, letting their defense of minorities and tolerance as American values, of an inclusive democracy be their battle flag in the same way white supremacism and Christian nationalism have become the Republican bloody Horst Wessel flag.
But no.
Dems refused.
And they've refused to pick up ANY cause, ANY rationale for supporting them, not healthcare, not judicial and electoral reform, not income inequality, so they continue to get their asses kicked and continue being useless AF GOPMAGA Lite. They're congenital losers. Congressional Dems facilitate and support MAGAtry more often than they oppose it.
And while I admire and support the DGA, the nascent rebel alliance against the MAGA-Russian Federation Imperium, not every Democratic governor is Tina Kotek, JB Pritzker, or Janet Mills. Newsom and Hochul have been hot on the mic, cool in the trenches when it comes to standing up for transgender and LGBTQ Americans.
I'm not voting for any Dem who doesn't support us. It's just that simple.
The Republicans are a convenient excuse for passing what all but a handful of democrats truly support. Look at their actions not their carefully crafted marketing statements and advertising. They don't really oppose the anti-transgender laws, anti-civil rights and equality policy, the deployment of American troops to police citizens, and the hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for ICE. It is all a facade for the uniparty to trot out a few supposedly "progressive" members to pacify public opinion and their voters.
If they’re not progressive, they’re Republican. Centrist Democrats are just non-MAGA conservatives. Human rights have never been their concern, unless it was to gain support for their reelections.
I would like to thank my two US Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla for standing up for liberty and justice for all. I also hope that Abigail Spanburger handily wins the Governor’s race in Virginia to show our nation that even in a purple state, standing firm for trans rights is a winning strategy for Democrats.
Sometimes I am annoyed that Clinton’s conservatism prompted me to quit the Democratic Party in disgust and revulsion in the 90’s, because now I can’t quit them again even though that disgust and revulsion is far higher than I ever thought it could ever, ever possibly be.
I haven't gotten to that point yet but I have a go bag ready to go ..where idk but not in some death camp …because they already have them built and are building them for US.
Just emailed my thanks to Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono got a piece of my mind.
Senator Hirono,
In the past you've enjoyed publicity and goodwill from the mahu and queer community of Hawai`i based on your support for LGBTQIA+ rights, including transgender rights. Yet you've just voted to pass military appropriations, normally free of culture-war baggage, in a form loaded with anti-trans riders.
Earlier this very year you said, "No one should have to live in fear for simply existing as their authentic self. During a time when transgender people continue to face discrimination and violence, I am proud to...celebrate the bravery, resilience, and contributions of the transgender community. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to combatting hate and helping ensure all people—regardless of their identity—can feel safe in our communities and live freely with dignity and respect.”
It's easy to say pretty things when it comes to a nice gesture, but when it comes to actually protecting transgender Americans from the discrimination and violence you acknowledge are very real, you caved. This is a betrayal of the values you claim to stand for and of my trust in you as both a civil servant and as a constituent with transgender loved ones.
I called WTF Chuck's office and one of my two senators. The other senator's office is closed and not taking messages. Besides expressing that I am tired as hell of being thrown under the bus in capitulation to the GOP culture wars, I argued that maybe we should question what we are funding with the NDAA. The "Department of War" is now an outlaw organization, under the command of the barking blob, which terrorizes mariners in the southern hemisphere by blowing them out of the water without due process. It is an outlaw organization that is illegally occupying American cities and illegally detaining people only with regard to their skin color and language abilities, regardless of whether they are here legally. And it is an outlaw organization that may be turned on political enemies by the millions, with no due process, no habeas corpus - just disappeared and possibly murdered. Is THIS what we are in such a hurry to fund that we are willing to throw innocent, law-abiding LGBTQ Americans under the bus to acquiesce to the demands of a criminal who should never have been re-elected?
My apologies to anyone who is still military, but this is not what our military should be doing. My two uncles fought in WWII against fascism - fighting the same enemy as the Social Democrats of the Weimar Republic - Adolph Hitler. The GOP calls them "Antifa," and I guess that means just about every American from my parents' generation was "Antifa" - which supposedly made them "terrorists." If the ALLEGEDLY drug-running ALLEGED terrorists can be blown out of the water simply because they are labeled, without due process, as "terrorists," then what of all of us? Considering who is in charge and what his mission is, is this still a military we should want to fund? Do we want to feed the beast that will come and eat us all? Or perhaps we should (legislatively) consider buying a muzzle and a leash for it before continuing to feed it.
BTW, WTF-Chuck's staffer said Schumer will continue to fight for transgender rights by seeking to have the anti-trans provisions stricken in the House. Uh huh, suuuuure. So I said I don't just want them stricken. I want funding for Tricare coverage for families of service members restored, because it never should have been stricken in the first place. I also made the point that if Republicans are smart, they will take the win and pass the same language through the House, so that it goes directly from there to the occupied Oval Office. WTF Chuck won't have the opportunity to argue squat in the House. I don't know whether they're stupid or whether they think I'm stupid.
A couple of weeks ago I contacted Angus King, independent senator here in Maine, about trans rights and received a long response saying all the right things. Then he votes in favor of this bill. Here's what I wrote him -- I'll call, too. They'll probably be blocking my number before long. (And FYI I don't necessarily recommend *my* approach at communication -- probably not entirely persuasive. But as a "senior" myself, I am really fed up with this old (OLD) generation of politicians who just can't let go. Friggin' Governor Mills, age 78, is talking about running against Susan Clutch-Pearl Collins -- when we've got a strong Dem candidate with momentum in Graham Platner. So...I've had it!!)
Senator King:
I recently received a long, 6-paragraph email from you attesting to your support for transgender rights and your supposed efforts in that direction. Yet you have just voted to pass the military appropriations bill loaded with anti-trans riders -- i.e. NOT a "clean" bill. On the other hand, you're happy to vote with the Republicans for a "clean" CR -- healthcare be damned. From where I stand on the street, you're looking like a spineless hypocrite.
Just called my disappointing VA senators, Kaine and Warner, to let them know that this kind of cowardly capitulation to authoritarianism is NOT what I expect from my democratic leadership. Looking forward to not supporting them in the future since they clearly don't support basic human decency.
Fair weather allies. They are happy to ride a convertible in a Pride parade, but when actual campaign contributions from the 0.1% are on the line, well, welcome to life under the bus.
I’ve filed paperwork to claim Canadian citizenship by descent, hard because Grandpa didn’t know about the paperwork, just thought we all had it.
Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time until they caved.
NO! fuck this defeatism. they caved because queers aren't organized and we didnt mobilize. the task moving forward is to build our organizing power so we can primary all our enemies who voted for or abstained on this shit
I’m looking for the part where I suggest we lie down on the floor and play dead. You’re confusing realism for defeatism. The point I make is that the ally ship that we thought we had isn’t there.
It's there when they need us to round out Dem inclusion photo ops around election time but that's about it. Dems have had every opportunity to seize upon the grotesque fascination Republicans have with our bodies and identities and flip it and use the weird ass GOPMAGA perversity as a tool against them, letting their defense of minorities and tolerance as American values, of an inclusive democracy be their battle flag in the same way white supremacism and Christian nationalism have become the Republican bloody Horst Wessel flag.
But no.
Dems refused.
And they've refused to pick up ANY cause, ANY rationale for supporting them, not healthcare, not judicial and electoral reform, not income inequality, so they continue to get their asses kicked and continue being useless AF GOPMAGA Lite. They're congenital losers. Congressional Dems facilitate and support MAGAtry more often than they oppose it.
And while I admire and support the DGA, the nascent rebel alliance against the MAGA-Russian Federation Imperium, not every Democratic governor is Tina Kotek, JB Pritzker, or Janet Mills. Newsom and Hochul have been hot on the mic, cool in the trenches when it comes to standing up for transgender and LGBTQ Americans.
I'm not voting for any Dem who doesn't support us. It's just that simple.
The Republicans are a convenient excuse for passing what all but a handful of democrats truly support. Look at their actions not their carefully crafted marketing statements and advertising. They don't really oppose the anti-transgender laws, anti-civil rights and equality policy, the deployment of American troops to police citizens, and the hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for ICE. It is all a facade for the uniparty to trot out a few supposedly "progressive" members to pacify public opinion and their voters.
If they’re not progressive, they’re Republican. Centrist Democrats are just non-MAGA conservatives. Human rights have never been their concern, unless it was to gain support for their reelections.
What a cruel mean time we live in.
I knew they would cave eventually. Now trans people pay the price.
I would like to thank my two US Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla for standing up for liberty and justice for all. I also hope that Abigail Spanburger handily wins the Governor’s race in Virginia to show our nation that even in a purple state, standing firm for trans rights is a winning strategy for Democrats.
Sometimes I am annoyed that Clinton’s conservatism prompted me to quit the Democratic Party in disgust and revulsion in the 90’s, because now I can’t quit them again even though that disgust and revulsion is far higher than I ever thought it could ever, ever possibly be.
Most of these Democrat politicians see us as nothing more than bargaining chips without any regard for our humanity
I’m disappointed with the establishment dems. They need to get out the way. I don’t believe the younger dems are like this.
Is it time to pack our bags?
I haven't gotten to that point yet but I have a go bag ready to go ..where idk but not in some death camp …because they already have them built and are building them for US.
I’d like to say I’m surprised but I’ve lost all hope for those parading as politicians who care.
I am so disappointed that, yet again, a few senators vote for the $$$$ the defense industry brings to their states over the rights of the people.
Just emailed my thanks to Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono got a piece of my mind.
Senator Hirono,
In the past you've enjoyed publicity and goodwill from the mahu and queer community of Hawai`i based on your support for LGBTQIA+ rights, including transgender rights. Yet you've just voted to pass military appropriations, normally free of culture-war baggage, in a form loaded with anti-trans riders.
Earlier this very year you said, "No one should have to live in fear for simply existing as their authentic self. During a time when transgender people continue to face discrimination and violence, I am proud to...celebrate the bravery, resilience, and contributions of the transgender community. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to combatting hate and helping ensure all people—regardless of their identity—can feel safe in our communities and live freely with dignity and respect.”
It's easy to say pretty things when it comes to a nice gesture, but when it comes to actually protecting transgender Americans from the discrimination and violence you acknowledge are very real, you caved. This is a betrayal of the values you claim to stand for and of my trust in you as both a civil servant and as a constituent with transgender loved ones.
Yes! I’m so disappointed in her.
I called WTF Chuck's office and one of my two senators. The other senator's office is closed and not taking messages. Besides expressing that I am tired as hell of being thrown under the bus in capitulation to the GOP culture wars, I argued that maybe we should question what we are funding with the NDAA. The "Department of War" is now an outlaw organization, under the command of the barking blob, which terrorizes mariners in the southern hemisphere by blowing them out of the water without due process. It is an outlaw organization that is illegally occupying American cities and illegally detaining people only with regard to their skin color and language abilities, regardless of whether they are here legally. And it is an outlaw organization that may be turned on political enemies by the millions, with no due process, no habeas corpus - just disappeared and possibly murdered. Is THIS what we are in such a hurry to fund that we are willing to throw innocent, law-abiding LGBTQ Americans under the bus to acquiesce to the demands of a criminal who should never have been re-elected?
My apologies to anyone who is still military, but this is not what our military should be doing. My two uncles fought in WWII against fascism - fighting the same enemy as the Social Democrats of the Weimar Republic - Adolph Hitler. The GOP calls them "Antifa," and I guess that means just about every American from my parents' generation was "Antifa" - which supposedly made them "terrorists." If the ALLEGEDLY drug-running ALLEGED terrorists can be blown out of the water simply because they are labeled, without due process, as "terrorists," then what of all of us? Considering who is in charge and what his mission is, is this still a military we should want to fund? Do we want to feed the beast that will come and eat us all? Or perhaps we should (legislatively) consider buying a muzzle and a leash for it before continuing to feed it.
BTW, WTF-Chuck's staffer said Schumer will continue to fight for transgender rights by seeking to have the anti-trans provisions stricken in the House. Uh huh, suuuuure. So I said I don't just want them stricken. I want funding for Tricare coverage for families of service members restored, because it never should have been stricken in the first place. I also made the point that if Republicans are smart, they will take the win and pass the same language through the House, so that it goes directly from there to the occupied Oval Office. WTF Chuck won't have the opportunity to argue squat in the House. I don't know whether they're stupid or whether they think I'm stupid.
A couple of weeks ago I contacted Angus King, independent senator here in Maine, about trans rights and received a long response saying all the right things. Then he votes in favor of this bill. Here's what I wrote him -- I'll call, too. They'll probably be blocking my number before long. (And FYI I don't necessarily recommend *my* approach at communication -- probably not entirely persuasive. But as a "senior" myself, I am really fed up with this old (OLD) generation of politicians who just can't let go. Friggin' Governor Mills, age 78, is talking about running against Susan Clutch-Pearl Collins -- when we've got a strong Dem candidate with momentum in Graham Platner. So...I've had it!!)
Senator King:
I recently received a long, 6-paragraph email from you attesting to your support for transgender rights and your supposed efforts in that direction. Yet you have just voted to pass the military appropriations bill loaded with anti-trans riders -- i.e. NOT a "clean" bill. On the other hand, you're happy to vote with the Republicans for a "clean" CR -- healthcare be damned. From where I stand on the street, you're looking like a spineless hypocrite.
Just called my disappointing VA senators, Kaine and Warner, to let them know that this kind of cowardly capitulation to authoritarianism is NOT what I expect from my democratic leadership. Looking forward to not supporting them in the future since they clearly don't support basic human decency.
Fair weather allies. They are happy to ride a convertible in a Pride parade, but when actual campaign contributions from the 0.1% are on the line, well, welcome to life under the bus.
I’ve filed paperwork to claim Canadian citizenship by descent, hard because Grandpa didn’t know about the paperwork, just thought we all had it.
This is horrible. How could they let the anti trans in the bill.