Periodically, I host an AMA for subscribers where they can ask me anything. Next week, I will go through the questions and answer many of them on camera.
How do we set about connecting with or forming an underground railroad for TransFolk living in Trans hostile states that might need assistance either where they live now or assistance in moving to safer places? How to maintain security from hostile forces to even have this discussion online in the open subject to key word searches?
I live in a safe place (for now) with excellent Trans Health Care and want to be able to assist Sisters and Brothers in need.
I’ve also been wondering if there is anything we can do. I’m the Mom of a trans teen, my son’s care is legal for now, but that could change in the near future.
How do you seem to live in this hatred and also be able to take care of your mental and physical well-being. I’m mostly asking about the mental health aspect. Even just hearing about makes me so incredibly depressed and resentful about the world around me. I hear you say you have a child. How do you keep a bubble in your home filled with kindness and love when it’s being assaulted on all sides constantly? Hoping you and yours are very well - Ave
Why do you think Republican lawmakers are doubling down on anti-trans bills so unbelievably hard? It doesn’t seem like this has helped them win elections, but they seem to be gearing up to push harder on this as a 2024 issue. Do they just hate us so much that this doesn’t even really matter to them? I had some dumb naive hope that maybe some of this would go away like the migrant caravans after the last election, but it just keeps escalating.
I’ve found your top 5 states for trans rights very insightful, and I’m wondering what that would looks like for countries. In other words, if someone wanted to leave the US, where are the best places to go?
I've been wondering the same thing. I'm trans and all my kiddos identify as non-binary and so does my partner. And I'm scared for all of us. We live in a safe state (for the moment) but with the presidential election coming next year... do you have any resources about which countries are most excepting of trans people? I imagine it would be hard to follow international and US policies in tandem though.
Whoop! Are you watching the Grammys, and did you see Kim Petras and Sam Smith win for “Unholy?” The first transgender woman to win a Grammy, or, as she posted, “a tranny with a Grammy.” 😍 So happy to have a reason to celebrate and with a cool song. What music artists do you enjoy?
Have a few questions for you if you have time for all of them. Thanks!
Something keeping me up at night is what happens when DeSantis/Trump "ends federal recognition of any sex not assigned at birth". Trump proposed day 1 executive order, but I can also see a GOP supermajority pass it through congress. What could you see actually unfolding/enforceable from this? Would it just block future doc updates? Or is it far fetched to worry about a nuremberg law style effect if we already changed our birth cert, then we'd lose our social security numbers/citizenship? What could blue states do now and do you think states like Maryland that don't reveal if a Birth Certificate was amended is the best strategy for protection from the federal government from this type of attack?
Another thing keeping me up at night is DeSantis/Trump banning HRT "due to off label use from technically not being FDA approved". The recent omnibus spending bill it gives authority to do such a ban. Would a state trans health equity act bill protect fully against this? (But what if you're not on medicaid and on a private plan?) Do you see any states looking to protect from this short of actual FDA approval?
I've read there's not enough financial incentive for companies to go through HRT FDA approval. So I'm afraid it will never happen at this rate. I'm not aware of any company pursuing FDA approval, are you? Maybe we should be crowdfunding an outside trans led org to seek FDA approval if the companies wont before the GOP politicizes the FDA?
Are there any other bills being passed/proposed in blue states besides trans health equity act bill + safe states act you'd highlight as good for all blue states to look into?
How can LGBTQ+ activists in ‘safer’ states support trans rights in states where they are most under attack? For example, how can trans people in Seattle protect trans rights in Tennessee?
I was going to ask the same question. I live in Colorado, which feels very safe and unlikely to go to the dark side. How can I support my community elsewhere?
Some talking points to our Christian detractors. Lest anyone doesn’t think that gender changes occurred in early Christianity [third century], here is just one of many sources that discuss this.
The Masculinization and Feminization of Early Christian Female Martyrs: The Case of Perpetua and Felicitas.”
Perpetua [awoman] is explicitly masculinized: “I was stripped and was changed into a man. And my supporters began to rub me down with oil, as they are wont to do before combat”
Have you heard about Alex Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn speaking out on trans inclusion in sports this week? Becky Sauerbrunn wrote an op-ed against the Missouri sports ban bill and Alex Morgan said the team's upcoming matches against Canada in Florida and Brazil in Texas is "something that the team definitely needs to look at". Meghann Burke, the chair of the NWSL also posted a Twitter thread in support of Becky Sauerbrunn. I love the USWNT.
There are so many ways to be helpful in the fight for trans liberation - How did you get into national legislative work and why do you find that the most appealing and fulfilling?
also
Are the major trans organizations doing any of the same national legislative tracking work you are doing? And if not, how/why was this major need nor previously met?
I have zero background in activism and I’ve been out been out just under a year as trans. It’s become clear that I can’t afford to be quiet the way things are. What are some of the ways to get involved in trans activism?
How do you remain engaged without burning out on so much terrible news? I love staying informed through you and your work but it is very hard to keep getting hit over and over again with the fact that there is a literal genocide being orchestrated in our government. I just wonder how you find your strength. Thank you for all that you do!
Do you know of any organizations or foundations that helps trans folks: (1) cover lost wages when they undergo gender affirming surgery (2) provide financial and relocation support for families that choose to relocate to safer states.
I know Go Fund Me is an obvious option and perhaps there are other social services, but just wondering if there is a more centralized/holistic channel that also offers key social/relocation support services dedicated towards helping trans folks.
Seems like it here’s an opportunity to get more organized, but perhaps I’m just unaware of what’s available.
How do we set about connecting with or forming an underground railroad for TransFolk living in Trans hostile states that might need assistance either where they live now or assistance in moving to safer places? How to maintain security from hostile forces to even have this discussion online in the open subject to key word searches?
I live in a safe place (for now) with excellent Trans Health Care and want to be able to assist Sisters and Brothers in need.
I’ve also been wondering if there is anything we can do. I’m the Mom of a trans teen, my son’s care is legal for now, but that could change in the near future.
How do you seem to live in this hatred and also be able to take care of your mental and physical well-being. I’m mostly asking about the mental health aspect. Even just hearing about makes me so incredibly depressed and resentful about the world around me. I hear you say you have a child. How do you keep a bubble in your home filled with kindness and love when it’s being assaulted on all sides constantly? Hoping you and yours are very well - Ave
Why do you think Republican lawmakers are doubling down on anti-trans bills so unbelievably hard? It doesn’t seem like this has helped them win elections, but they seem to be gearing up to push harder on this as a 2024 issue. Do they just hate us so much that this doesn’t even really matter to them? I had some dumb naive hope that maybe some of this would go away like the migrant caravans after the last election, but it just keeps escalating.
I’ve found your top 5 states for trans rights very insightful, and I’m wondering what that would looks like for countries. In other words, if someone wanted to leave the US, where are the best places to go?
I've been wondering the same thing. I'm trans and all my kiddos identify as non-binary and so does my partner. And I'm scared for all of us. We live in a safe state (for the moment) but with the presidential election coming next year... do you have any resources about which countries are most excepting of trans people? I imagine it would be hard to follow international and US policies in tandem though.
Whoop! Are you watching the Grammys, and did you see Kim Petras and Sam Smith win for “Unholy?” The first transgender woman to win a Grammy, or, as she posted, “a tranny with a Grammy.” 😍 So happy to have a reason to celebrate and with a cool song. What music artists do you enjoy?
First *out* trans woman. Erin posted about this also today: https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/lets-not-forget-about-wendy-carlos
I read the post about Wendy C! I had no idea. My kids like listening to electronic music so that was very cool to learn.
I read the post about Wendy C! I had no idea. My kids like listening to electronic music so that was very cool to learn.
Have a few questions for you if you have time for all of them. Thanks!
Something keeping me up at night is what happens when DeSantis/Trump "ends federal recognition of any sex not assigned at birth". Trump proposed day 1 executive order, but I can also see a GOP supermajority pass it through congress. What could you see actually unfolding/enforceable from this? Would it just block future doc updates? Or is it far fetched to worry about a nuremberg law style effect if we already changed our birth cert, then we'd lose our social security numbers/citizenship? What could blue states do now and do you think states like Maryland that don't reveal if a Birth Certificate was amended is the best strategy for protection from the federal government from this type of attack?
Another thing keeping me up at night is DeSantis/Trump banning HRT "due to off label use from technically not being FDA approved". The recent omnibus spending bill it gives authority to do such a ban. Would a state trans health equity act bill protect fully against this? (But what if you're not on medicaid and on a private plan?) Do you see any states looking to protect from this short of actual FDA approval?
I've read there's not enough financial incentive for companies to go through HRT FDA approval. So I'm afraid it will never happen at this rate. I'm not aware of any company pursuing FDA approval, are you? Maybe we should be crowdfunding an outside trans led org to seek FDA approval if the companies wont before the GOP politicizes the FDA?
Are there any other bills being passed/proposed in blue states besides trans health equity act bill + safe states act you'd highlight as good for all blue states to look into?
How can LGBTQ+ activists in ‘safer’ states support trans rights in states where they are most under attack? For example, how can trans people in Seattle protect trans rights in Tennessee?
I was going to ask the same question. I live in Colorado, which feels very safe and unlikely to go to the dark side. How can I support my community elsewhere?
Are there any resources you can recommend for assessing the risk to trans people in countries other than the United States?
How/where can I watch the AMAs? I may have missed a notification.
Some talking points to our Christian detractors. Lest anyone doesn’t think that gender changes occurred in early Christianity [third century], here is just one of many sources that discuss this.
The Masculinization and Feminization of Early Christian Female Martyrs: The Case of Perpetua and Felicitas.”
Perpetua [awoman] is explicitly masculinized: “I was stripped and was changed into a man. And my supporters began to rub me down with oil, as they are wont to do before combat”
How do we fund DIY medication for those who lost access, and what programs can we donate or volunteer for transporting people out of hostile states?
Have you heard about Alex Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn speaking out on trans inclusion in sports this week? Becky Sauerbrunn wrote an op-ed against the Missouri sports ban bill and Alex Morgan said the team's upcoming matches against Canada in Florida and Brazil in Texas is "something that the team definitely needs to look at". Meghann Burke, the chair of the NWSL also posted a Twitter thread in support of Becky Sauerbrunn. I love the USWNT.
There are so many ways to be helpful in the fight for trans liberation - How did you get into national legislative work and why do you find that the most appealing and fulfilling?
also
Are the major trans organizations doing any of the same national legislative tracking work you are doing? And if not, how/why was this major need nor previously met?
I have zero background in activism and I’ve been out been out just under a year as trans. It’s become clear that I can’t afford to be quiet the way things are. What are some of the ways to get involved in trans activism?
How do you remain engaged without burning out on so much terrible news? I love staying informed through you and your work but it is very hard to keep getting hit over and over again with the fact that there is a literal genocide being orchestrated in our government. I just wonder how you find your strength. Thank you for all that you do!
Hi Erin,
Do you know of any organizations or foundations that helps trans folks: (1) cover lost wages when they undergo gender affirming surgery (2) provide financial and relocation support for families that choose to relocate to safer states.
I know Go Fund Me is an obvious option and perhaps there are other social services, but just wondering if there is a more centralized/holistic channel that also offers key social/relocation support services dedicated towards helping trans folks.
Seems like it here’s an opportunity to get more organized, but perhaps I’m just unaware of what’s available.