Shutdown day is here, and there has been a lot of competing coverage on Republican priorities, Democrat's demands, and what shutdown politics means for LGBTQ+ people in America.
Make sure you contact your representatives - primarily your senators and tell them that they need to vote no on anything with anti trans provisions in it under no uncertain terms. The shutdown won’t hurt us, only capitulation will.
A good tactic with GOP reps is to put on your best cranky conservative voice and ask what this was to do with lowering your grocery prices. Scold them for wasting time on stuff that doesn't affect you.
If the government enacts this sweeping ban on Medicaid funds being used for GAC, there will be mass death in this country.
We can save a lot of our own through mutual aid and even just by being there for each other - but if hundreds of thousands or even millions of trans people see their GAC disappear overnight, a lot of people are going to die.
This, of course, is the ultimate goal of the anti-trans front - to see us all dead, in jail, or stuck in the margins, forced to perform shitty service jobs or sex work just to survive.
How can politics solve this? How do we persuade people who do not see us as human, without sacrificing so much of ourselves that they have no choice to recognize our humanity?
I’m just going to say it, I’m so fucking tired of living with a gun to my head. To quote my PCP “Tess, let me be really clear on this, without HRT, you will die”. Seems simple right, killing people is bad, but in today’s fascist Amerikkka killing me is a noble act worthy of heaven. Are my family or friends speaking out? No. Are the mainline Christian churches loudly speaking out? No. Will Democrats even utter the word transgender? No. Am I at risk enough to get asylum in Canada? No (says the Canadian immigration atty). Apparently not enough of us have been killed yet for them to change their laws. My rhetorical and useless question to the universe is this: WTF do you do when the entire world seems to want you dead? Thanks for listening I’m going to scream into the void now.
I’m so sorry. I wish there was a way. Spain and Portugal are friendly places as well. I discovered that credit scores do not follow you overseas. Good to know in case one needed to take out emergency loans (wink, wink)
Until this morning , I was afraid the democrats would cave on the anti-trans riders. While that is still possible, trump's attack on Hakim Jefferies should make it clear that he has it in for all of the democrats. Today, in front of the assembled military brass, trump announced that they are going to war against all of us.
At this point anybody who supports trump, anybody who even acquiesces to him, is a war criminal and a traitor to the United States. We've got to shut it down. And I'm not just talking about the government. We have to shut everything down. At this point, that is the only way option left to the people of this country.
Does anyone know how fast these would take effect if passed? My fiance has top surgery scheduled for literally October 17th and is getting financial aid for it from the hospital. They've been through so much to get this and I'm terrified it could all be undone when they've gotten so so close.
As Erin's article explains, the law, if passed, doesn't directly ban gender affirming care...it gives Trump a pretext to shake down hospitals like he did with care for people under 19.
That will take a little time, maybe not much, but I don't see it playing out that fast.
However, if the finanical aid is provided through federal funding, that law would apply to that directly and that could be affected more quickly.
And the longer Dems hold the line, that helps wind down the clock relative to October 17.
Sorry that's not a direct answer to your question. Overall I think there is a lot of uncertainty around this but I think there is some hope for you.
I've been calling all week all three of my reps Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, and Marilyn Strickland -- all dems -- demanding they shut it down if anti-queer, trans riders are in the CR. We've got to stand strong against these freakin' bullies and bigots and sexists and misogynists and racists! Lock arms and keep moving forward! Sending you all strength and courage!
The dictator wants everything his way and his lackies just follow blindly. It’s time that Democrats stick it to them. Democrats must be true to its constituents at all cost and that includes the queer and trans community. The only thing that bullies respect is strength. We must also remember politicians like THE PA SENATOR AND ANY OTHERS WHO VOTE WITH THE REPUBLICANS MUST GO. WE MUST VOTE THEM OUT
I wish I had faith in Chuck Schumer and Jeffries but I don’t. I have a democratic representative with a gay niece so I am comfortable that he will do the right thing.
Thank you for the clear information Erin. My guess is at least some of the restrictions on the trans community will end up in the final bill although maybe not all. Some of those provisions seem very damaging and dangerous others perhaps less so. It will certainly be important to all of us to keep an eye and ear on what ends up in the final version and who votes for it.
Make sure you contact your representatives - primarily your senators and tell them that they need to vote no on anything with anti trans provisions in it under no uncertain terms. The shutdown won’t hurt us, only capitulation will.
I’m in a red state :-/
Remind them that Jesus always stood with the marginalized. It's hard to pierce their irrational hatred, but maybe worth a try.
A good tactic with GOP reps is to put on your best cranky conservative voice and ask what this was to do with lowering your grocery prices. Scold them for wasting time on stuff that doesn't affect you.
****TEMPLATE FOR CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE*****
This Reddit post, already viewed by 185,000 people, has link to a tool to lookup your represenatives and a template for emailing or calling them.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MtF/comments/1nsooiu/emergency_us_gov_shutdown_threatens_to_dismantle/
Please help create the "unrelenting pressure" that Erin's article predicts is necessary for us to get Dems to hold the line.
If the government enacts this sweeping ban on Medicaid funds being used for GAC, there will be mass death in this country.
We can save a lot of our own through mutual aid and even just by being there for each other - but if hundreds of thousands or even millions of trans people see their GAC disappear overnight, a lot of people are going to die.
This, of course, is the ultimate goal of the anti-trans front - to see us all dead, in jail, or stuck in the margins, forced to perform shitty service jobs or sex work just to survive.
How can politics solve this? How do we persuade people who do not see us as human, without sacrificing so much of ourselves that they have no choice to recognize our humanity?
Must this burden fall on us? On our children?
apparently. no point waiting around for Nazis to come around on their own.
I’m just going to say it, I’m so fucking tired of living with a gun to my head. To quote my PCP “Tess, let me be really clear on this, without HRT, you will die”. Seems simple right, killing people is bad, but in today’s fascist Amerikkka killing me is a noble act worthy of heaven. Are my family or friends speaking out? No. Are the mainline Christian churches loudly speaking out? No. Will Democrats even utter the word transgender? No. Am I at risk enough to get asylum in Canada? No (says the Canadian immigration atty). Apparently not enough of us have been killed yet for them to change their laws. My rhetorical and useless question to the universe is this: WTF do you do when the entire world seems to want you dead? Thanks for listening I’m going to scream into the void now.
Tess, is there any chance at all you could try asylum in New Zealand? I know of 2 other trans women that were able to get there and are in the process
It’s a wonderful idea and I’ve actually looked at it, but considering the distance and financial resources required, it really isn’t realistic.
I’m so sorry. I wish there was a way. Spain and Portugal are friendly places as well. I discovered that credit scores do not follow you overseas. Good to know in case one needed to take out emergency loans (wink, wink)
Until this morning , I was afraid the democrats would cave on the anti-trans riders. While that is still possible, trump's attack on Hakim Jefferies should make it clear that he has it in for all of the democrats. Today, in front of the assembled military brass, trump announced that they are going to war against all of us.
At this point anybody who supports trump, anybody who even acquiesces to him, is a war criminal and a traitor to the United States. We've got to shut it down. And I'm not just talking about the government. We have to shut everything down. At this point, that is the only way option left to the people of this country.
Does anyone know how fast these would take effect if passed? My fiance has top surgery scheduled for literally October 17th and is getting financial aid for it from the hospital. They've been through so much to get this and I'm terrified it could all be undone when they've gotten so so close.
As Erin's article explains, the law, if passed, doesn't directly ban gender affirming care...it gives Trump a pretext to shake down hospitals like he did with care for people under 19.
That will take a little time, maybe not much, but I don't see it playing out that fast.
However, if the finanical aid is provided through federal funding, that law would apply to that directly and that could be affected more quickly.
And the longer Dems hold the line, that helps wind down the clock relative to October 17.
Sorry that's not a direct answer to your question. Overall I think there is a lot of uncertainty around this but I think there is some hope for you.
I've been calling all week all three of my reps Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, and Marilyn Strickland -- all dems -- demanding they shut it down if anti-queer, trans riders are in the CR. We've got to stand strong against these freakin' bullies and bigots and sexists and misogynists and racists! Lock arms and keep moving forward! Sending you all strength and courage!
I've been doind the same, and reaching out to friends and family to ask them to do the same. Many of them did.
The dictator wants everything his way and his lackies just follow blindly. It’s time that Democrats stick it to them. Democrats must be true to its constituents at all cost and that includes the queer and trans community. The only thing that bullies respect is strength. We must also remember politicians like THE PA SENATOR AND ANY OTHERS WHO VOTE WITH THE REPUBLICANS MUST GO. WE MUST VOTE THEM OUT
I wish I had faith in Chuck Schumer and Jeffries but I don’t. I have a democratic representative with a gay niece so I am comfortable that he will do the right thing.
Essential context. Identifying the stakes. More value added.
****TEMPLATE FOR CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE*****
This Reddit post, already viewed by 185,000 people, has link to a tool to lookup your represenatives and a template for emailing or calling them.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MtF/comments/1nsooiu/emergency_us_gov_shutdown_threatens_to_dismantle/
Please help create the "unrelenting pressure" that Erin's article predicts is necessary for us to get Dems to hold the line.
Thank you for the clear information Erin. My guess is at least some of the restrictions on the trans community will end up in the final bill although maybe not all. Some of those provisions seem very damaging and dangerous others perhaps less so. It will certainly be important to all of us to keep an eye and ear on what ends up in the final version and who votes for it.
I can’t find any info on whether what the senate is voting on now still contains all of horrendous anti LGBTQIA+ riders…??
Sent all my reps another email.