The way I see it, the anti trans agenda is a convenient way to push for control of women and their bodies. It’s not a coincidence that increased scrutiny and policing of what constitutes a woman comes from the same people who are trying to take away reproductive rights and no fault divorce.
So true. I am the cis mother of a trans woman and it has been very evident this is all of a piece for the religious right. They don’t seem to care as much about trans men, which is telling.
When they do care about trans men, it’s always framed as “these poor misguided women, they’re removing their breasts… now I can’t touch them.” It’s fucking rapey as hell.
Yes, and they also define a trans man as (explicitly) a woman, and as (implicitly) a type of woman who doesn't have to be acknowledged, seen, listened to, respected, protected, or allowed agency or body autonomy. They intend their assumption or declaration that someone is "really a woman" to justify their own right to mislabel and ignore that person. They use their anti-trans idea that the person is "really a woman" to justify telling "her," the supposed "woman who doesn't know or accept she's a woman," who "she" is and what "she's" allowed to say and do. It's a blatant anti-woman sexism crafted for and directed at trans men — in bright invisibility and loud silence.
You commented exactly what I have been thinking. What so the women on the right don't realize is that every piece of hate filled legislation impacts them.
The map is a graphic representation of where the most anti-trans legislation has been *filed*. You might be thinking of Erin's other map which represents risk and safety.
The Texas legislature meets every two years for about six months. The filing deadline was a month ago, and now everything that was filed is moving through committees and votes and whatnot. Texas has a TON of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the works, yes, but it's also frontloaded into the beginning of the year which might explain some of the disparity.
So at least one piece of good news is that Texas can't file any new bill proposals until 2027 (unless the governor calls a special session for a particular issue...).
I think historians might look back on this the same way some of them look at the witch trials: as an outbreak of mass hysteria and scapegoating. How can one possibly address climate change, economic disparity, violence, war, technology, housing, etc. when there are transgenders in our midst?
Not always, over time as attitudes change it gets revisited. Think of the actual witch trials, at the time they won......but now there looked upon as bigoted, ignorant fanatics.
Umm yeah, so what’s the play? We’re losing , we continue to lose(worldwide). What now? It’s clear no one is going to save us and there is no hiding. We need organization and coordination. We also need to do something about collaborators in our movement. We’re here now. Nothing we had done previous was affective. Time to act differently, no hiding, we need to go on the offensive.
Right now I think our best play is to 1) slow things down, 2) elect more trans people and 3) wait for the national wind to change.
1) we've getting some court victories and SCOTUS is a big risk point, it takes quite a while for cases to make it up to them and federal district courts can issue nationwide injunctions very quickly. We're also having some success with protests, in-person and through email & calls, such as when our community and allies recently rallied to pressure Planned Parenthood of Arizona to reverse it's decision to "pause" gender affirming care. We also had success pressing most of the hospitals who suspended care for minors (in February) to reverse their decision.
2) Representative Zephyr and Howell of Montana are showing us how effective elected trans reps can be, even in, or perhaps especially in red states by flipping half the GOP conference to stop several anti-trans bills. Rep Zephyr made a post awhile back on BlueSky offering to talk to any trans person interested in running for office, to give advice on how to get started.
3) Right now republicans have the luxury of caring about us. If we take step back and looks at the dumpster fire going on with tariffs, talk about firing the federal reserve chair, making a variety of moves that could lead to a war, the country could soon be distracted by far more immediate problems. I'm not going to sit here and wish for bad things to happen to my country, I'm just making an observation.
I concur that much anti-trans legislation is driven by misogyny and the desire for power and control over women - y’know, the same crowd that is pushing anti-abortion legislation.
Tighten the definition too much for who is feminine enough to be a woman, and cis women will get hurt too. It’s already happened. A non-gender-conforming cis woman will get hurt by a bathroom ban long before a cis-passing trans woman will. This is the part that many transphobes miss.
Hopefully much of the hostile state bills will not become law. I’m more concerned about federal at this point.
As I have often said, it was NEVER about sports participation. The morality police, long ago, decided that we are the ultimate enemy. Their goal is nothing short of wiping us out. Here, in Colorado, we have a bill that (from MY reading) does nothing but protect trans youth from bullying by authority figures. None the less, this bill is being tarred as some sort of authoritarian death to democracy and destruction of the sacred American family. The unfortunate reality is that once they have removed US as their "threat", they will have to move on to someone else that they can blame all the world's ills on. The need for a target is ingrained. The fact that we have done absolutely NOTHING to impinge on ANY of THEIR rights is irrelevant. We don't fit the stereotype of their particular utopian citizen, so we have to be eliminated. This is going to sound harsh and runs counter to the views of many of us, but this situation is PRECISELY why the 2nd Amendment is so important. If we were EVER facing a despotic government/society, it is now. I'm absolutely NOT condoning violence. I am absolutely NOT suggesting that we somehow take up arms against our neighbors. I'm merely suggesting that our need for self defense has never been greater. Read Pastor Martin Niemoller's poem First They Came. It says it all.
Veronica, thank you for your comment. Since posting my original comment, I've had some additional thoughts. Those who seem so intent on destroying us are (for the most part) staunch supporters of the right to bear arms. Our presence at shooting ranges demonstrates two things. It shows that we are not just helpless victims, and it also shows that we have something in common with THEM that they also care very deeply about. Thus, they find themselves in a conundrum. "I hate this person, but they do something that I also do. Have I been wrong?" Yeah, I can attest to the odd looks I get, but there is clearly an understanding that I am not someone they can easily bully. If personally knowing us means that there is a greater likelihood of at least accepting us, then I think the risk is well worth it.
Thank you for your response. Please don't fear being personal. If we can't be openly candid in THIS forum, then where? I'm assuming that you are referring to events outside of my experiences on the shooting range as I answer your questions. I haven't been physically assaulted (one of the advantages of living under the protections of Colorado), but have been VERY POINTEDLY misgendered, been scowled at, and had people purposefully get up and move away from me. I tend to engage others in conversation more than they do me. Again, it is part of my attempt to be more visible in normally public settings. My hair is shoulder length, and I keep it in a high ponytail when not worn down. At 5'5" and made up, I think I look reasonable. At my age, I'm never going to look like Congresswoman Sarah McBride, or Erin Reed. I dress casually feminine so at the very least my gender is questionable by any standard. My concern, surrounding all the legislation and executive orders, is that (if we are to believe Donald Trump's assertions) it was merely a suggestion that led followers to physically assault the U.S. Capitol building and the offices of those they oppose. Armed with actual LAWS, how emboldened will the most ardent of the MAGA movement feel. I'm not so suicidal as to walk into obviously hostile surroundings (e.g. MAGA rallies), but I refuse to be a victim while going about normal daily activities. I hope I've provided the perspective you sought.
It is a piece of the ugly puzzle of Project 2025. I suggest we all do as a childhood friend of mine (she was in Junior High School) who had little patience for puzzles did when she couldn't get the pieces to fit,- pull out a pair of scissors and change the shape of the pieces. We need to change the "story" in peoples' heads around what it means to be Trans. The Haters have equated Trans with Monster and "Danger to Women" for their agenda, and created stories to tell the masses. we need to tell True and therefore Better stories and get them out there. The masses need enlightened.
What The Fuck Are You So Afraid Of MAGATS!?! Is It Possible That You Can’t Face Reality! Or is it just that You Can’t Accept what You See in the Mirror everyday, A Dark Hole In Your Collective Souls, filled with Hatred For What YOU Truly Are,Bigoted Idiots Blindly following a Corrupt President and his Corrupt Administration! You will NEVER get rid of Transgender People! We’re born every day and no amount of Draconian laws will Change Stop or Prevent this! If you had paid attention to your Science Teachers you would know this, but you have no clue how gender really works! All you know is the “Dear Orange Leader” Hates ,so you too must HATE! You have Sealed your Place in History by your Own Blind Allegiance to FASCISM!
The US is promoting genocide in Palestine and here at home against transgender people, and the Democrats are not fighting either one. Why are they not shutting down the government like Republicans do when they're in the minority?
The fundamental issue we have to regain control of is— biology. This isn’t a group particularly interested in science but it is science that must assert truth. Diversify even in the formation of the genitalia as an indicator of birth gender assignment is fraught by its errant assumption of an inherent binary— which has NEVER existed.
Unfortunately, those who legislate either are uneducated regarding the science or even if presented with the science ignore it. The biology is clear and almost every medical organization in the U.S. supports the science and gender affirming care but not only do politicians ignore or distort the truth but there is an inability to educate the electorate since the multiplicity of information sources fails to disseminate the truth or outright lies, e.g. FOX, and are not held accountable. Where are the stories about highly accomplished trans people, e.g. Lynn Conway or Col. Bree Fram or people simply living their lives. It is nowhere to be seen. Yes, when people personally know a trans person their opinion is generally favorable but there are too few of us and many are unable to be out.
This is so alarming and disgusting…these people have nothing better to do than legislate hatred. I think we know that trans folks are the tip of the spear for their campaign to get rid of anyone who threatens their identity and can be blamed for their petty grievances. If I weren’t so angry I might feel sorry for those who are so consumed with making life miserable for their fellow human beings, they must be pretty unhappy.
What actions can we take? Mourn later, grieve another day. How do we fight back? We have been having the wrong conversation for far too long. If we look at the example of Maryam Hatoon Molkara progress was made through reaching out to the Ayatollah. Perhaps we should consider that.
The way I see it, the anti trans agenda is a convenient way to push for control of women and their bodies. It’s not a coincidence that increased scrutiny and policing of what constitutes a woman comes from the same people who are trying to take away reproductive rights and no fault divorce.
So true. I am the cis mother of a trans woman and it has been very evident this is all of a piece for the religious right. They don’t seem to care as much about trans men, which is telling.
When they do care about trans men, it’s always framed as “these poor misguided women, they’re removing their breasts… now I can’t touch them.” It’s fucking rapey as hell.
Yes, and they also define a trans man as (explicitly) a woman, and as (implicitly) a type of woman who doesn't have to be acknowledged, seen, listened to, respected, protected, or allowed agency or body autonomy. They intend their assumption or declaration that someone is "really a woman" to justify their own right to mislabel and ignore that person. They use their anti-trans idea that the person is "really a woman" to justify telling "her," the supposed "woman who doesn't know or accept she's a woman," who "she" is and what "she's" allowed to say and do. It's a blatant anti-woman sexism crafted for and directed at trans men — in bright invisibility and loud silence.
It's horrible. Human rights belong to us ALL!
You commented exactly what I have been thinking. What so the women on the right don't realize is that every piece of hate filled legislation impacts them.
These women do realize, but think their proximity to power will protect them. It won’t and they will find out.
Good, let it.
Tragically, the most shocking thing about that map is that Florida isn't just as red as Texas.
The map is a graphic representation of where the most anti-trans legislation has been *filed*. You might be thinking of Erin's other map which represents risk and safety.
I thought the same thing. There must be a reason.
The Texas legislature meets every two years for about six months. The filing deadline was a month ago, and now everything that was filed is moving through committees and votes and whatnot. Texas has a TON of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the works, yes, but it's also frontloaded into the beginning of the year which might explain some of the disparity.
So at least one piece of good news is that Texas can't file any new bill proposals until 2027 (unless the governor calls a special session for a particular issue...).
I think historians might look back on this the same way some of them look at the witch trials: as an outbreak of mass hysteria and scapegoating. How can one possibly address climate change, economic disparity, violence, war, technology, housing, etc. when there are transgenders in our midst?
Ahh but the winners write the history books
Not always, over time as attitudes change it gets revisited. Think of the actual witch trials, at the time they won......but now there looked upon as bigoted, ignorant fanatics.
Then we need to win.
Umm yeah, so what’s the play? We’re losing , we continue to lose(worldwide). What now? It’s clear no one is going to save us and there is no hiding. We need organization and coordination. We also need to do something about collaborators in our movement. We’re here now. Nothing we had done previous was affective. Time to act differently, no hiding, we need to go on the offensive.
Ally here, ready to fight
SAME!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Right now I think our best play is to 1) slow things down, 2) elect more trans people and 3) wait for the national wind to change.
1) we've getting some court victories and SCOTUS is a big risk point, it takes quite a while for cases to make it up to them and federal district courts can issue nationwide injunctions very quickly. We're also having some success with protests, in-person and through email & calls, such as when our community and allies recently rallied to pressure Planned Parenthood of Arizona to reverse it's decision to "pause" gender affirming care. We also had success pressing most of the hospitals who suspended care for minors (in February) to reverse their decision.
2) Representative Zephyr and Howell of Montana are showing us how effective elected trans reps can be, even in, or perhaps especially in red states by flipping half the GOP conference to stop several anti-trans bills. Rep Zephyr made a post awhile back on BlueSky offering to talk to any trans person interested in running for office, to give advice on how to get started.
3) Right now republicans have the luxury of caring about us. If we take step back and looks at the dumpster fire going on with tariffs, talk about firing the federal reserve chair, making a variety of moves that could lead to a war, the country could soon be distracted by far more immediate problems. I'm not going to sit here and wish for bad things to happen to my country, I'm just making an observation.
agreed
This. Is. Trans. Genocide.
I concur that much anti-trans legislation is driven by misogyny and the desire for power and control over women - y’know, the same crowd that is pushing anti-abortion legislation.
Tighten the definition too much for who is feminine enough to be a woman, and cis women will get hurt too. It’s already happened. A non-gender-conforming cis woman will get hurt by a bathroom ban long before a cis-passing trans woman will. This is the part that many transphobes miss.
Hopefully much of the hostile state bills will not become law. I’m more concerned about federal at this point.
As I have often said, it was NEVER about sports participation. The morality police, long ago, decided that we are the ultimate enemy. Their goal is nothing short of wiping us out. Here, in Colorado, we have a bill that (from MY reading) does nothing but protect trans youth from bullying by authority figures. None the less, this bill is being tarred as some sort of authoritarian death to democracy and destruction of the sacred American family. The unfortunate reality is that once they have removed US as their "threat", they will have to move on to someone else that they can blame all the world's ills on. The need for a target is ingrained. The fact that we have done absolutely NOTHING to impinge on ANY of THEIR rights is irrelevant. We don't fit the stereotype of their particular utopian citizen, so we have to be eliminated. This is going to sound harsh and runs counter to the views of many of us, but this situation is PRECISELY why the 2nd Amendment is so important. If we were EVER facing a despotic government/society, it is now. I'm absolutely NOT condoning violence. I am absolutely NOT suggesting that we somehow take up arms against our neighbors. I'm merely suggesting that our need for self defense has never been greater. Read Pastor Martin Niemoller's poem First They Came. It says it all.
Yes finally someone is speaking some sense and not woe is me, I better double down on the message boards. We need to save ourselves
Veronica, thank you for your comment. Since posting my original comment, I've had some additional thoughts. Those who seem so intent on destroying us are (for the most part) staunch supporters of the right to bear arms. Our presence at shooting ranges demonstrates two things. It shows that we are not just helpless victims, and it also shows that we have something in common with THEM that they also care very deeply about. Thus, they find themselves in a conundrum. "I hate this person, but they do something that I also do. Have I been wrong?" Yeah, I can attest to the odd looks I get, but there is clearly an understanding that I am not someone they can easily bully. If personally knowing us means that there is a greater likelihood of at least accepting us, then I think the risk is well worth it.
That's very interesting! Has anyone been openly hostile to you? Has anyone engaged you in conversation?
How passing are you? Sorry if that's too personal, just trying to understand the dynamics.
MissNumbersNinja,
Thank you for your response. Please don't fear being personal. If we can't be openly candid in THIS forum, then where? I'm assuming that you are referring to events outside of my experiences on the shooting range as I answer your questions. I haven't been physically assaulted (one of the advantages of living under the protections of Colorado), but have been VERY POINTEDLY misgendered, been scowled at, and had people purposefully get up and move away from me. I tend to engage others in conversation more than they do me. Again, it is part of my attempt to be more visible in normally public settings. My hair is shoulder length, and I keep it in a high ponytail when not worn down. At 5'5" and made up, I think I look reasonable. At my age, I'm never going to look like Congresswoman Sarah McBride, or Erin Reed. I dress casually feminine so at the very least my gender is questionable by any standard. My concern, surrounding all the legislation and executive orders, is that (if we are to believe Donald Trump's assertions) it was merely a suggestion that led followers to physically assault the U.S. Capitol building and the offices of those they oppose. Armed with actual LAWS, how emboldened will the most ardent of the MAGA movement feel. I'm not so suicidal as to walk into obviously hostile surroundings (e.g. MAGA rallies), but I refuse to be a victim while going about normal daily activities. I hope I've provided the perspective you sought.
Thanks for sharing! I totally share your concern about the danger of suggestion and more so to the extend actual laws seem to validate hostility
"As I have often said, it was NEVER about sports participation."
Yes. It wasn't really about the water fountains either.
I appreciate all your work Erin💜
It is a piece of the ugly puzzle of Project 2025. I suggest we all do as a childhood friend of mine (she was in Junior High School) who had little patience for puzzles did when she couldn't get the pieces to fit,- pull out a pair of scissors and change the shape of the pieces. We need to change the "story" in peoples' heads around what it means to be Trans. The Haters have equated Trans with Monster and "Danger to Women" for their agenda, and created stories to tell the masses. we need to tell True and therefore Better stories and get them out there. The masses need enlightened.
What The Fuck Are You So Afraid Of MAGATS!?! Is It Possible That You Can’t Face Reality! Or is it just that You Can’t Accept what You See in the Mirror everyday, A Dark Hole In Your Collective Souls, filled with Hatred For What YOU Truly Are,Bigoted Idiots Blindly following a Corrupt President and his Corrupt Administration! You will NEVER get rid of Transgender People! We’re born every day and no amount of Draconian laws will Change Stop or Prevent this! If you had paid attention to your Science Teachers you would know this, but you have no clue how gender really works! All you know is the “Dear Orange Leader” Hates ,so you too must HATE! You have Sealed your Place in History by your Own Blind Allegiance to FASCISM!
How’s It Taste…😈🔥
I'm really glad you're keeping a record of all this.
The US is promoting genocide in Palestine and here at home against transgender people, and the Democrats are not fighting either one. Why are they not shutting down the government like Republicans do when they're in the minority?
A genocide by Jewish Zionists in Palestine and a genocide by Christian Zionists at home. What is the common link between the two besides genocide?
I hadn't considered that angle, but you're right. It's all about enforcement of white supremacy and cisheteronormativity.
Zionism!
The fundamental issue we have to regain control of is— biology. This isn’t a group particularly interested in science but it is science that must assert truth. Diversify even in the formation of the genitalia as an indicator of birth gender assignment is fraught by its errant assumption of an inherent binary— which has NEVER existed.
Unfortunately, those who legislate either are uneducated regarding the science or even if presented with the science ignore it. The biology is clear and almost every medical organization in the U.S. supports the science and gender affirming care but not only do politicians ignore or distort the truth but there is an inability to educate the electorate since the multiplicity of information sources fails to disseminate the truth or outright lies, e.g. FOX, and are not held accountable. Where are the stories about highly accomplished trans people, e.g. Lynn Conway or Col. Bree Fram or people simply living their lives. It is nowhere to be seen. Yes, when people personally know a trans person their opinion is generally favorable but there are too few of us and many are unable to be out.
This is so alarming and disgusting…these people have nothing better to do than legislate hatred. I think we know that trans folks are the tip of the spear for their campaign to get rid of anyone who threatens their identity and can be blamed for their petty grievances. If I weren’t so angry I might feel sorry for those who are so consumed with making life miserable for their fellow human beings, they must be pretty unhappy.
What actions can we take? Mourn later, grieve another day. How do we fight back? We have been having the wrong conversation for far too long. If we look at the example of Maryam Hatoon Molkara progress was made through reaching out to the Ayatollah. Perhaps we should consider that.
The government needs to stop policing who and what we are and do as long as those actions are not harmful to others.
Lol we’re way past that