While that is encouraging, it did not transfer to people actually stopping anti-trans voter initiatives. We obviously have to do a lot more to educate the public and demand that Democrats do a lot more to stand up for trans rights.
I live in Austin and have a pretty good life: a job, band, friends, and a place to live. It took a long time to get here. Over the last 2 years, coinciding with changing my name and starting HRT, I have lived with such an undercurrent of dread about living in Texas.
It used to be common understanding that Austin was a blue dot in a red state, but going back to at least the 2024 election, MAGA politics have overshadowed that. I want to change my name legally but don't want to do it in this state. One day I may want to use a women's restroom. I simply didn't think it was possible to feel whole living here, where basic existence is considered a radical act.
Our biannual legislative session of 2027 was approaching, and I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. Living under Trump 2.0 has truly been a living hell. Many of my friends say they didn't know how taxed our nervous systems were until, all of a sudden, on a Tuesday night, it all lifted. We have hope again. And we still have a lot of work to do.
I'm in austin as well. At the 3 year mark for HRT for me.
100% agree how I'd forgotten what it felt like to be able to breathe. I had an election watch party on tuesday with a house full of trans folks and every batch of results that came in felt like a weight lifting off. It was amazing watching the room laugh and relax more and more as the evening went on.
There's so much work to do, and no guarantees about the future, but being able to realistically expect that next year I'll be able to update my id, use the bathroom at the library and worry less about CPS coming for my kid is everything. Improvements on top of suddenly not worrying about getting run out of the state next year.
Arizona went from reliably Republican to politically competitive roughly a decade ago, based primarily on three factors: a growing Latino population, booming urban populations in Phoenix and Tucson, and an absolutely terrible, far-right, out-of-touch, conspiracy-spewing state Republican party.
All three of those factors also apply to Texas.
I'm not saying that Texas will remain competitive once this massive blue wave recedes, because nobody can really know at this point. But I do think it's possible.
I had mostly given up on hope of getting an amended birth certificate but now there’s a chance. I still have family there and hope to visit again, out as myself. I watched these races more closely than my new home with this hope :)
So after the election do people just forget about all the name calling and move on, or do we ever address the fact that "low ballers" tried and failed? No apologies, alls fair in love and politics? Why is it okay for the right to make things up and then revision-ize? Trump is trying to say we didn't vote against him when we voted, but he asked us to vote like he was on the ballot like 100 times...
Tuesday was a historic day, not only for the country but especially for Texas. Voters sent a powerful message to Republicans: enough is enough! Their divisive attacks on the transgender and LGBTQ+ communities have no place in our country, and the millions spent trying to turn these communities into political targets have failed.
Texas, in particular, has an opportunity to turn a new page. With Democrats making major gains and taking key positions, the state can begin moving toward a future that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love. No one should have to live in fear of discrimination or political attacks simply for being themselves.
The message from voters is clear: America needs unity, equality, and leadership that represents ALL its people—not politicians who divide us for political gain. Texas has a chance to lead by example.
It tickles me to no end that the gerrymandering arms race the GQP kicked off in Texas blew up in their faces so spectacularly that they turned the state purple (I won't call it blue until it's been in Democratic hands for at least another election cycle or two) instead of gaining literally any seats at all, let alone the impenetrable majorities they were hoping to secure.
Hoist by their own petard, indeed! And what a show.
While that is encouraging, it did not transfer to people actually stopping anti-trans voter initiatives. We obviously have to do a lot more to educate the public and demand that Democrats do a lot more to stand up for trans rights.
I live in Austin and have a pretty good life: a job, band, friends, and a place to live. It took a long time to get here. Over the last 2 years, coinciding with changing my name and starting HRT, I have lived with such an undercurrent of dread about living in Texas.
It used to be common understanding that Austin was a blue dot in a red state, but going back to at least the 2024 election, MAGA politics have overshadowed that. I want to change my name legally but don't want to do it in this state. One day I may want to use a women's restroom. I simply didn't think it was possible to feel whole living here, where basic existence is considered a radical act.
Our biannual legislative session of 2027 was approaching, and I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. Living under Trump 2.0 has truly been a living hell. Many of my friends say they didn't know how taxed our nervous systems were until, all of a sudden, on a Tuesday night, it all lifted. We have hope again. And we still have a lot of work to do.
I'm in austin as well. At the 3 year mark for HRT for me.
100% agree how I'd forgotten what it felt like to be able to breathe. I had an election watch party on tuesday with a house full of trans folks and every batch of results that came in felt like a weight lifting off. It was amazing watching the room laugh and relax more and more as the evening went on.
There's so much work to do, and no guarantees about the future, but being able to realistically expect that next year I'll be able to update my id, use the bathroom at the library and worry less about CPS coming for my kid is everything. Improvements on top of suddenly not worrying about getting run out of the state next year.
VIVA BLEXAS!!! I love it! And my Latin blood is singing right now.
BLEXAS! What a wonderful post and so encouraging for a Texpatriate. Thanks, Erin and S. Baum!
Arizona went from reliably Republican to politically competitive roughly a decade ago, based primarily on three factors: a growing Latino population, booming urban populations in Phoenix and Tucson, and an absolutely terrible, far-right, out-of-touch, conspiracy-spewing state Republican party.
All three of those factors also apply to Texas.
I'm not saying that Texas will remain competitive once this massive blue wave recedes, because nobody can really know at this point. But I do think it's possible.
So wonderful to read your report on Blexas elections! The queer community deserves this and more!
I had mostly given up on hope of getting an amended birth certificate but now there’s a chance. I still have family there and hope to visit again, out as myself. I watched these races more closely than my new home with this hope :)
So after the election do people just forget about all the name calling and move on, or do we ever address the fact that "low ballers" tried and failed? No apologies, alls fair in love and politics? Why is it okay for the right to make things up and then revision-ize? Trump is trying to say we didn't vote against him when we voted, but he asked us to vote like he was on the ballot like 100 times...
Tuesday was a historic day, not only for the country but especially for Texas. Voters sent a powerful message to Republicans: enough is enough! Their divisive attacks on the transgender and LGBTQ+ communities have no place in our country, and the millions spent trying to turn these communities into political targets have failed.
Texas, in particular, has an opportunity to turn a new page. With Democrats making major gains and taking key positions, the state can begin moving toward a future that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love. No one should have to live in fear of discrimination or political attacks simply for being themselves.
The message from voters is clear: America needs unity, equality, and leadership that represents ALL its people—not politicians who divide us for political gain. Texas has a chance to lead by example.
It tickles me to no end that the gerrymandering arms race the GQP kicked off in Texas blew up in their faces so spectacularly that they turned the state purple (I won't call it blue until it's been in Democratic hands for at least another election cycle or two) instead of gaining literally any seats at all, let alone the impenetrable majorities they were hoping to secure.
Hoist by their own petard, indeed! And what a show.
Thank you for the reporting, Baum.
I am wondering how fast the flatworm will turn from pain ? . . .