After policies targeting trans people were rejected nationwide on election day, Ohio Republicans have announced the first priority for hearings post-election are three bills targeting trans people.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Abortion rights and trans rights aren't related battles, they're the same battle. It's no surprise for them to switch, immediately, from one thing to another.
Seems like the strategy is that if you can't win at the school board level it's time to put those super majorities to work and fight off the courts. That said, I think they don't need to see each other win (loses are brought in by a "corrupt system"), they just need to be seen hating and attacking. The reaction needs to be state legislators losing their seats.
The Ohio anti-trans bills are disgraceful, scary, cruel, and just deeply wrong. I do think, in a way, that yes it’s a case of opponents finding the easiest remaining target after being thwarted in the recent elections. Coincidentally, HuffPost is running a story today about how trans kids and their families are fleeing their red states because of all the hostile legislation- and going not to blue states, but rather to other countries.
I was just thinking about a PR stunt of some OH group announcing a plan to produce a series of Shakespeare plays "presented as the Bard would have it," generate some publicity, then announce the idea had to be scrapped because it would be a felony. (In Shakespeare's time, women didn't appear on stage, so all female parts were played by men in drag.)
Meanwhile, I'm going to be on stage at Seattle's premier art music venue this week in an orchestra concert featuring at least six trans people, with a gender-nonconforming conductor. I guess we'd be outlaws in Ohio, at least for the five minutes it takes a court to overturn the law as unconstitutional.
How ridiculous is this going to get? Are they going to start arresting women in pants?
Iran and Saudi Arabia have morality police who arrest (and sometimes beat and murder) people who appear in public in clothing the religious authorities deem improper. Maybe not the best example to follow.
Doesn't the Republicans' claim that drag bans aren't protected speech rely on their argument that all drag performances are "obscene?" I know they're bull****, but do the Ohio GOP even suggest an alternate reason why a performance of someone who's crossdressing that they admit to *not* being obscene is, in their minds, not protected by the first amendment?
As a grassroots activist in Ohio, I enjoyed reading this post, Erin! It’s heartening to hear you reference all the amazing organizers in OH who are fighting this BS every day. I used to work for Red, Wine, & Blue, and I am a founding member of Trans Allies of Ohio along with Cam. Plus, Rachel Coyle & David DeWitt are the trusted sources & allies in shining a light on all the extremism in the Ohio Statehouse. This week is truly exhausting as the GOP Supermajority is indeed taking out their election defeat frustrations on Ohio’s trans community. They are cruel, heartless, and corrupt. I used to love my state, but now I seriously consider leaving as so many other trans people & families of trans kids have done. It is not safe here, and our democracy is hanging by the thinnest of threads. ☹️
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Abortion rights and trans rights aren't related battles, they're the same battle. It's no surprise for them to switch, immediately, from one thing to another.
Bodily autonomy for everyone. NOW.
Seems like the strategy is that if you can't win at the school board level it's time to put those super majorities to work and fight off the courts. That said, I think they don't need to see each other win (loses are brought in by a "corrupt system"), they just need to be seen hating and attacking. The reaction needs to be state legislators losing their seats.
They are so relentless! It’s the “It Follows” of political terrorism
The Ohio anti-trans bills are disgraceful, scary, cruel, and just deeply wrong. I do think, in a way, that yes it’s a case of opponents finding the easiest remaining target after being thwarted in the recent elections. Coincidentally, HuffPost is running a story today about how trans kids and their families are fleeing their red states because of all the hostile legislation- and going not to blue states, but rather to other countries.
I was just thinking about a PR stunt of some OH group announcing a plan to produce a series of Shakespeare plays "presented as the Bard would have it," generate some publicity, then announce the idea had to be scrapped because it would be a felony. (In Shakespeare's time, women didn't appear on stage, so all female parts were played by men in drag.)
Meanwhile, I'm going to be on stage at Seattle's premier art music venue this week in an orchestra concert featuring at least six trans people, with a gender-nonconforming conductor. I guess we'd be outlaws in Ohio, at least for the five minutes it takes a court to overturn the law as unconstitutional.
How ridiculous is this going to get? Are they going to start arresting women in pants?
Iran and Saudi Arabia have morality police who arrest (and sometimes beat and murder) people who appear in public in clothing the religious authorities deem improper. Maybe not the best example to follow.
Doesn't the Republicans' claim that drag bans aren't protected speech rely on their argument that all drag performances are "obscene?" I know they're bull****, but do the Ohio GOP even suggest an alternate reason why a performance of someone who's crossdressing that they admit to *not* being obscene is, in their minds, not protected by the first amendment?
When are people going to finally get tired of this bullshit?
As a grassroots activist in Ohio, I enjoyed reading this post, Erin! It’s heartening to hear you reference all the amazing organizers in OH who are fighting this BS every day. I used to work for Red, Wine, & Blue, and I am a founding member of Trans Allies of Ohio along with Cam. Plus, Rachel Coyle & David DeWitt are the trusted sources & allies in shining a light on all the extremism in the Ohio Statehouse. This week is truly exhausting as the GOP Supermajority is indeed taking out their election defeat frustrations on Ohio’s trans community. They are cruel, heartless, and corrupt. I used to love my state, but now I seriously consider leaving as so many other trans people & families of trans kids have done. It is not safe here, and our democracy is hanging by the thinnest of threads. ☹️