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WmnOfDistxn's avatar

This is a relief to read. And I also think about the glaring hypocrisy in the argument for “states rights and parents’ rights,” which the far right is always screaming about. These anti-trans EOs seem to fly in the face of those far right assertions.

Also a personal story about the delusion on the right. My son is trans. He has been out since 6th grade, he is now 19 and fully transitioned. My dad, his grandfather, is a far right conservative. When we hang out with him he is respectful and caring about his grandson. He never misgenders him and has embraced his name and identity, since the moment he came out. And my son wants a relationship with his grandad. All of which is why we still hang out. And yet, just now, on the phone with my dad I expressed my fear and anxiety about what this administration is doing. His response, “you guys will be ok.” My response, “we don’t know that. You don’t know that. He’s scared to travel. He could be forced to detransition.” My dad, “that won’t happen.” Me, “It has happened before in this country. It has happened in other countries. We need to have a healthy concern about what’s happening right now.” His response, “He’ll be ok.”

I ended the conversation with asking him to think about his grandson. I reminded him that his grandson is just trying to exist in the world, and live his life, without being a target. He seemed to hear me. I don’t know if he will ever fully get it. There’s a level of personal delusion operating: MY grandson will be ok. All I can do is keep pushing him to think about these things. It’s exhausting, and the delusion is real. But it’s work I have to keep doing.

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Jayna Sheats's avatar

Does your father realize his Social Security is now at risk? (EM's crew is looking for "DEI" connections in all government databases, including that one. I am, by the way, a "sober" person who has published papers in the journal Science, among others; I'm not a conspiracy fan. But I looked at the news this morning and began to think that my SS check is at risk.)

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WmnOfDistxn's avatar

Ya know, I don’t know if he’s aware of that, or of his Medicare being at risk. (I agree they both are.) Honestly I feel like tackling the risk to my son/his grandson is about all I can handle. I have to conserve my energy and use it towards fighting for my son, and getting his travel docs in order, etc.. I have no doubt my dad will find out about his own risk on his own. That’s sad, but I can’t carry that, that’s HIS lesson to learn. if that makes sense.

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Jayna Sheats's avatar

It does, of course! I'm just thinking of general ways to get beyond the kind of complacency and refusal to take the 5-alarm-sirens seriously. Not for everyone; just a general idea. I share your perspective. Though a totally different generation from your son (I may be his grandfather's age 😏 - I do have a grandson!), I will not allow the dictator(s) to take my identity. And I can fight for those left behind as well from abroad as from here. I'm confronting in immediate and harsh reality what it's like to contemplate leaving everything behind (and going to the same country that so many left to come here 80 years ago).

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Sandra's avatar

Yes, I strongly appreciate what the blue states are stepping up and doing.

At some point, it needs to be recognized by the courts that animus - pure and simple - is the motivating force behind these legislative attacks. GAC has existed for decades, and is supported by many major medical organizations - until conservatives came along and decided for whatever reason, they didn’t like it.

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Joan the Dork's avatar

Nice to see that at least a few states haven't lost their backbones... be nicer to see a few more join the party. California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, y'all listening?

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Sandra's avatar

Most of those other states sent out a joint AG-led statement a few days ago….not an outright lawsuit, but a commitment to GAC in their states:

https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-campbell-leads-14-ags-in-issuing-statement-on-protecting-access-to-gender-affirming-care

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Susan Tuzzolino's avatar

I live in WA State! I'll call Nick Brown's office today (our AG) and let him know how grateful I am that he's standing strong for our rights to be healthy and free exactly who we are meant to be! Thanks Erin and all of you who read and support this work ~ it's good work; it's necessary work!

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Ianto West's avatar

Yay! We're also planning to send thank you cards as a family activity

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Melody's avatar

I love this idea. I'll be sending a Thank You card as well.

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MRM's avatar

Thank you, Blue states.

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Brucker's avatar

Here's hoping more and more good news like this comes in.

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MissNumbersNinja's avatar

Great news, thank you for your diligent coverage of this Erin!

Last Week: Darth Vader attacks. This Week: Trans community strikes back!

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Marthe's avatar

It was a relief to read. I hope the “fire hose effect” of all these lawsuits continues until the Trump Administration realizes that it is going to be litigated against for as long as it takes to take away their ax.

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Jennifer Moore's avatar

YES!

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