As a person who rides mass transit daily to work, and presenting female, I can tell you that any transphobic politician is as bad as the asshole on the train who calls me any number of T-slurs that you can imagine. Anyone who uses those words, even jokingly, does not REPRESENT me.
Not for me it's not. But Ive heard my share of people using those words both jokingly, and otherwise. Still hurts the same. Even for an old Wardog trans girl like me (at 54).
I'm completely with you on this. Any such concession to a person who believes we do not really exist is a vote for our own lifelong misery, if not attempted murder -- that last whispered by some Social Conservatives and Gender Critical types as their goal, when not caught on "hot mics" admitting it.
Where this ends is, the transphobic bigots are forced out of shame and fear to hide their hatred and disgust up in a closet next to a pointy white hood and portrait of der Fuhrer, like other hatreds humanity has defeated.
They are no better.
Thank you for the reporting and opinion, Mrs. Reed.
Ta-Nehisi Coates recently said in a pod cast something to the effect of, "Ask yourself what you're willing to lose over. What will you refuse to do if it's what "winning" requires?" There are actually more names that could be/should be on this list. The willingness of just about every Democrat in a tight race to make trans folks their "get-out-of-losing" card is horrifying. I'm not faced in RI with that kind of choice, but I echo Erin: Find your line. Find your boundary. Most importantly, speak up to these candidates to say either "You lost my vote..." or "I voted for you ANYWAT, BUT You better look harder into your soul..." Change will only come when some of these folks understand that it will cost them to betray the trans community.
For today's work, Id ask everyone to remember Matthew Shepard. By all accounts he should be 50 this coming december. But sadly he is not. And the reason he is not is the same systemic reason that we are dealing with all this bullshit now.
"…telling the story all the way through is an act of love." — Dorothy Allison, Two or Three Things I Know for Sure, 1995
Well stated. Politics requires judgment, even in the worst of times. I really like the summary sentences:
"And I am not asking anyone to abstain from every Democratic politician who has ever taken a single poor or uneducated stance toward transgender people. What I am asking is that transgender people, and the people who care about us, find the line they would draw on any other fundamental human rights issue, and draw it here: do not give the worst anti-transgender Democrats your vote."
What’s so shitty about Castor in particular is that voting had already started here. She’s done a good job for her district, and Dems had no qualms about that vote. I can’t take it back now that my vote is cast. Her opponent - who proudly carried the name MAGA Mike through the primary - would be worse. What a terrible position to put people in.
But to support wins…. Do still vote on the good people up and down the ballot. Show huge Dem /Progressive wins in those states, from school boards, library commissions, city councils, if any such are on your ballots. Please do show up. And voice your issue to anyone hold the anti trans candidates signs at the polls. And folks in other states PLEASE SHOW UP AND VOTE. Show the DNC that anti trans loses. “Harming one’s rights harms everyone’s rights.”
Why should I vote for any Democrat if the party supports...and it supports dozens... anti-Trans Democrats? Either the party stands for us or it doesn't, and it doesn't. I'm going to vote for candidates, not Democrats. I do not trust or like the Democratic party. They've shat upon us time and time again, from DADT, Prop 8, DOMA, marriage equality, Trans inclusion in the ACA, in the Equality Act, and there's nothing they can do to win back trust. "Better than the GOPMAGA" fascist craniorectally inverted nards who oppose us isn't the flex it once was as we see more and more Dems coming out as Rowling stooges.
The ONLY reason Dems "evolved" is because corporations and big donors pushed them, and they've lost most of those deep pockets as corporations have fled to the Right, so without big money driving them, I sincerely don't believe their promises but I do believe Dem threats.
Any trans person or the allies who support our rights, voting for a transphobic candidate, is no better than a MAGA moron, who votes for Trump and his policies that make them poorer and more in need.
So these sound like politicians that only care about popularity. That’s good, easier to manipulate. If they’re willing to throw us under the bus now they also may lay out the red carpet if societal opinions change. I would rather have them than a Republican who will consistently tow the religious line. To succeed we need to build coalitions and metaphorically dance with the devil. We need to become the politicians figuratively. We’re still thinking in survival mode which is justifiable but it’s time to start preparing for the offensive.
I stared long and hard at Talaricos name. It's been a nagging issue for me. Ultimately, I felt that they might help our umbrella as a whole, and maybe they would come around.. The opponent is just the absolute worst politician. I ended up voting for him. It didn't feel good but it did feel correct.
If I knew for sure that those four weren't crucial to Dems winning the house, I'd agree. But I don't have a crystal ball..... luckily I don't have to make that choice since I don't live in those states.
I endorse this approach. When we are flooded with attacks, we have to choose our battles. For me, healthcare is the dividing line. Bathrooms and sports are minor issues by comparison. The Republicans push them because they easily promote range and establish a right to discriminate.
So, I try to avoid them and go directly to healthcare. It affects everyone. And a government that gets to pick and choose whose medical needs get treated and who gets shoved to the street can do the same to anyone.
That's why I decided against Turek.
I am not voting in any of these elections. But I have sent money to Sherrod Brown and James Talarico. And I'm glad to see our candidates in New Mexico like my representative Melanie Stansbury holding the line.
I will never vote for anyone who is transphobic. Never. If the Democrats want my vote, they know how to get it.
As a person who rides mass transit daily to work, and presenting female, I can tell you that any transphobic politician is as bad as the asshole on the train who calls me any number of T-slurs that you can imagine. Anyone who uses those words, even jokingly, does not REPRESENT me.
Transphobia is never a joke. Never.
Not for me it's not. But Ive heard my share of people using those words both jokingly, and otherwise. Still hurts the same. Even for an old Wardog trans girl like me (at 54).
Amen.
Me neither. I'm willing to accept "It's none of my business." but that's as far as I'll go.
"Don’t Vote For The Worst Anti-Trans Democrats"
I'm completely with you on this. Any such concession to a person who believes we do not really exist is a vote for our own lifelong misery, if not attempted murder -- that last whispered by some Social Conservatives and Gender Critical types as their goal, when not caught on "hot mics" admitting it.
Where this ends is, the transphobic bigots are forced out of shame and fear to hide their hatred and disgust up in a closet next to a pointy white hood and portrait of der Fuhrer, like other hatreds humanity has defeated.
They are no better.
Thank you for the reporting and opinion, Mrs. Reed.
Ta-Nehisi Coates recently said in a pod cast something to the effect of, "Ask yourself what you're willing to lose over. What will you refuse to do if it's what "winning" requires?" There are actually more names that could be/should be on this list. The willingness of just about every Democrat in a tight race to make trans folks their "get-out-of-losing" card is horrifying. I'm not faced in RI with that kind of choice, but I echo Erin: Find your line. Find your boundary. Most importantly, speak up to these candidates to say either "You lost my vote..." or "I voted for you ANYWAT, BUT You better look harder into your soul..." Change will only come when some of these folks understand that it will cost them to betray the trans community.
I love this.
Erin, you speak truth.
With the rising tide against us - https://thistleandmoss.com/p/do-it-yourself-certification-trump-will-cockblock-alaska-blanche-loves-it, This is not going to get easier for us over the next 9 days.
For today's work, Id ask everyone to remember Matthew Shepard. By all accounts he should be 50 this coming december. But sadly he is not. And the reason he is not is the same systemic reason that we are dealing with all this bullshit now.
"…telling the story all the way through is an act of love." — Dorothy Allison, Two or Three Things I Know for Sure, 1995
I love you for writing this thoughtful and timely message. For acknowledging the challenges we have to navigate in this election cycle. THANK YOU 🙏
Well stated. Politics requires judgment, even in the worst of times. I really like the summary sentences:
"And I am not asking anyone to abstain from every Democratic politician who has ever taken a single poor or uneducated stance toward transgender people. What I am asking is that transgender people, and the people who care about us, find the line they would draw on any other fundamental human rights issue, and draw it here: do not give the worst anti-transgender Democrats your vote."
Perfect pitch!
What’s so shitty about Castor in particular is that voting had already started here. She’s done a good job for her district, and Dems had no qualms about that vote. I can’t take it back now that my vote is cast. Her opponent - who proudly carried the name MAGA Mike through the primary - would be worse. What a terrible position to put people in.
But to support wins…. Do still vote on the good people up and down the ballot. Show huge Dem /Progressive wins in those states, from school boards, library commissions, city councils, if any such are on your ballots. Please do show up. And voice your issue to anyone hold the anti trans candidates signs at the polls. And folks in other states PLEASE SHOW UP AND VOTE. Show the DNC that anti trans loses. “Harming one’s rights harms everyone’s rights.”
Why should I vote for any Democrat if the party supports...and it supports dozens... anti-Trans Democrats? Either the party stands for us or it doesn't, and it doesn't. I'm going to vote for candidates, not Democrats. I do not trust or like the Democratic party. They've shat upon us time and time again, from DADT, Prop 8, DOMA, marriage equality, Trans inclusion in the ACA, in the Equality Act, and there's nothing they can do to win back trust. "Better than the GOPMAGA" fascist craniorectally inverted nards who oppose us isn't the flex it once was as we see more and more Dems coming out as Rowling stooges.
The ONLY reason Dems "evolved" is because corporations and big donors pushed them, and they've lost most of those deep pockets as corporations have fled to the Right, so without big money driving them, I sincerely don't believe their promises but I do believe Dem threats.
Any trans person or the allies who support our rights, voting for a transphobic candidate, is no better than a MAGA moron, who votes for Trump and his policies that make them poorer and more in need.
So these sound like politicians that only care about popularity. That’s good, easier to manipulate. If they’re willing to throw us under the bus now they also may lay out the red carpet if societal opinions change. I would rather have them than a Republican who will consistently tow the religious line. To succeed we need to build coalitions and metaphorically dance with the devil. We need to become the politicians figuratively. We’re still thinking in survival mode which is justifiable but it’s time to start preparing for the offensive.
Thanks for this!
I stared long and hard at Talaricos name. It's been a nagging issue for me. Ultimately, I felt that they might help our umbrella as a whole, and maybe they would come around.. The opponent is just the absolute worst politician. I ended up voting for him. It didn't feel good but it did feel correct.
Why not Amy Acton?
And Annie Andrews … so disappointing.
If I knew for sure that those four weren't crucial to Dems winning the house, I'd agree. But I don't have a crystal ball..... luckily I don't have to make that choice since I don't live in those states.
I endorse this approach. When we are flooded with attacks, we have to choose our battles. For me, healthcare is the dividing line. Bathrooms and sports are minor issues by comparison. The Republicans push them because they easily promote range and establish a right to discriminate.
So, I try to avoid them and go directly to healthcare. It affects everyone. And a government that gets to pick and choose whose medical needs get treated and who gets shoved to the street can do the same to anyone.
That's why I decided against Turek.
I am not voting in any of these elections. But I have sent money to Sherrod Brown and James Talarico. And I'm glad to see our candidates in New Mexico like my representative Melanie Stansbury holding the line.