The fight for rights is seldom straightforward; success does not come without setbacks. For trans people now, that is abundantly true. That fight is not over.
"The greatest thing you can do is live; continue to exist and continue tending the seeds we’re planting today. They will grow into trees that will shade those who come after us—and with luck, we may get to enjoy some of that shade ourselves." -- THANK YOU for ending with this message of hope. Thank you for all you do. You're a shining light in a sea of darkness. 💜
You've grown so beautifully into this role. It's been a wonder to see. And I'm humbled by your steadfastness and this thoughtful and hopeful response. I saw a TikTok today that said "I want to be an elder queer." I love that. Hope is what we need to keep working.
Erin, I’m also from the swamps of Louisiana, nearby Terrebonne Parish. I can see how that was/is a scary place to simply be yourself. I feel fortunate that we happened to move to Illinois long ago before my trans son was born. He feels love & acceptance in school and with our laws protecting gender affirming care. And my heart breaks for those who live in many of the other places that threaten their very existence.
If anyone knows of volunteer opportunities to give a listening ear and empathy to others suffering right now, especially kids, please let me know.
Same! I’m a mom to a trans young adult and a former high school teacher in Texas. While I am honestly really scared about what’s to come, I’d also love to know how I can help, reassure and love on today’s queer youth. Hugs to you all.
The really big question here is whether, and to what extent, protective “blue” states can resist, or serve as sanctuary from, the coming federal onslaught - both for trans people who already live in these states and those than can move there.
I still often wonder if I’m the only one who sees the glaring parallels between the current state of our country and 1932 Germany. I fear the same actions are repeating themselves, and I wonder how many of us will be survivors.
Welp, it was nice to think my country considered me a human being while the thought lasted. I'll check back in 30 years, maybe we'll have rights by retirement.
It's okay. I fight as hard as I do for you young folks. We wanted to hand you a world that wasn't this fucked-up. We're all going to have to take a bite out of this unless we go somewhere else for a while.
As the mother of a 35-year-old transwoman the The first thing I did after taking in all the news this morning was to order the LGBTQ flag to hang outside our house. I realized it is important for us to step up and be very visible allies and advocates. And maybe empower others to be the same.
Fortunately our daughter can get excellent trans care here Minnesota, but I worry about the incoming federal government trying to override the states to take away LGBTQ rights from all U.S. citizens.
Earlier today, I made the following post on the fediverse. Erin writes a similar message worded much better than I could manage.
Senate candidates who supported trans people, like Tammy Baldwin, won.
Senate Democratic candidates who threw trans people under the bus, including Sherrod Brown and Colin Allred, lost.
The propaganda companies that pretend to be news publishers are going to try to tell you that Democrats lost because they didn't hate trans people enough, but the evidence shows the opposite.
In 20 years Republicans will tell us that of course they've always supported the rights of trans kids to get health care and play sportsball, it's just those pesky asexual people they're concerned about.
In the short term, things are bad, and many of us will die. But in the long-term we will win.
I just became a paid subscriber. I have enjoyed reading the updates and articles that Erin writes and especially have gained valuables insights into the struggles this community faces on a daily basis. I am a straight white grandma and mom of a wonderful son and now son-in law and want you all to know that I support each and everyone of you!! I can only imagine the fear and trepidation you are feeling after this election. Please know that I will fight for you and your rights as if you were my own children and grand children. You deserve all this country offers without judgement and discriminations. Sending love to each of you!!
They have explicitly stated their intent to classify trans people as obscene, and charge us with public obscenity for being in public.
Such charges, for trans women, carry the likelihood of arrest, and being put in men's jails and prisons. And that is a sentence of rape, torture, and death.
So, while removing our access and right to health care and legal recognition is disastrous, with forced detransition and erasure, their intent is a far more immediate solution.
Please do feel free to tell me how I am exaggerating, and these people, who you have been hearing for years calling for such things at the edges of their party, will not now take this result as license, as mandate, to fully implement them.
It's not just our struggle worth remembering too. Remember how many people were never included in our democracy from the start. Black people in the Jim Crow South were not living in a democracy for them. Every racial group but white people has faced violence from the state and other citizens for much of our countries history. While that struggle certainly continues, positive change has been made. And people still managed to find community and start families and live in the midst of all that.
This is a dark day in our countries history, but it's one in a long history of dark days. Shits bad but it's not over.
Thank you so much for making this Newsletter. It has been a clarifying--if anxiety producing--presence these last few years. Thank you for trying to give us all hope. I think it has successfully given me hope, honestly.
"The greatest thing you can do is live; continue to exist and continue tending the seeds we’re planting today. They will grow into trees that will shade those who come after us—and with luck, we may get to enjoy some of that shade ourselves." -- THANK YOU for ending with this message of hope. Thank you for all you do. You're a shining light in a sea of darkness. 💜
Good to hear Zoey won reelection. Small wins
Erin, you are a light in the darkness. Thank you
You've grown so beautifully into this role. It's been a wonder to see. And I'm humbled by your steadfastness and this thoughtful and hopeful response. I saw a TikTok today that said "I want to be an elder queer." I love that. Hope is what we need to keep working.
Erin, I’m also from the swamps of Louisiana, nearby Terrebonne Parish. I can see how that was/is a scary place to simply be yourself. I feel fortunate that we happened to move to Illinois long ago before my trans son was born. He feels love & acceptance in school and with our laws protecting gender affirming care. And my heart breaks for those who live in many of the other places that threaten their very existence.
If anyone knows of volunteer opportunities to give a listening ear and empathy to others suffering right now, especially kids, please let me know.
It's heartwarming to see a good parent to a trans kid! You could ask The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline if they need hotline volunteers.
Same! I’m a mom to a trans young adult and a former high school teacher in Texas. While I am honestly really scared about what’s to come, I’d also love to know how I can help, reassure and love on today’s queer youth. Hugs to you all.
The really big question here is whether, and to what extent, protective “blue” states can resist, or serve as sanctuary from, the coming federal onslaught - both for trans people who already live in these states and those than can move there.
I still often wonder if I’m the only one who sees the glaring parallels between the current state of our country and 1932 Germany. I fear the same actions are repeating themselves, and I wonder how many of us will be survivors.
No, you're not the only one. I remember when I saw "Eldorado" and I was stunned. I might watch it again, because this is the GOP playbook right now.
Thanks for the ‘recommendation’.
Welp, it was nice to think my country considered me a human being while the thought lasted. I'll check back in 30 years, maybe we'll have rights by retirement.
I probably won't be here in 30 years. What a mess. I'd be approaching 100 and nobody in my family lasted that long. Lucky for you, you might see it.
I'm sorry.
It's okay. I fight as hard as I do for you young folks. We wanted to hand you a world that wasn't this fucked-up. We're all going to have to take a bite out of this unless we go somewhere else for a while.
Yes, we need to fight, we need to organize, we need to support each other and protect each other. We also need to form a LGBTQ self protection corps.
As the mother of a 35-year-old transwoman the The first thing I did after taking in all the news this morning was to order the LGBTQ flag to hang outside our house. I realized it is important for us to step up and be very visible allies and advocates. And maybe empower others to be the same.
Fortunately our daughter can get excellent trans care here Minnesota, but I worry about the incoming federal government trying to override the states to take away LGBTQ rights from all U.S. citizens.
How wonderfully brave of you! It is important to be as loud and visible as we feel comfortable. This is going to be a long 4 years.
Earlier today, I made the following post on the fediverse. Erin writes a similar message worded much better than I could manage.
Senate candidates who supported trans people, like Tammy Baldwin, won.
Senate Democratic candidates who threw trans people under the bus, including Sherrod Brown and Colin Allred, lost.
The propaganda companies that pretend to be news publishers are going to try to tell you that Democrats lost because they didn't hate trans people enough, but the evidence shows the opposite.
In 20 years Republicans will tell us that of course they've always supported the rights of trans kids to get health care and play sportsball, it's just those pesky asexual people they're concerned about.
In the short term, things are bad, and many of us will die. But in the long-term we will win.
I just became a paid subscriber. I have enjoyed reading the updates and articles that Erin writes and especially have gained valuables insights into the struggles this community faces on a daily basis. I am a straight white grandma and mom of a wonderful son and now son-in law and want you all to know that I support each and everyone of you!! I can only imagine the fear and trepidation you are feeling after this election. Please know that I will fight for you and your rights as if you were my own children and grand children. You deserve all this country offers without judgement and discriminations. Sending love to each of you!!
They have explicitly stated their intent to classify trans people as obscene, and charge us with public obscenity for being in public.
Such charges, for trans women, carry the likelihood of arrest, and being put in men's jails and prisons. And that is a sentence of rape, torture, and death.
So, while removing our access and right to health care and legal recognition is disastrous, with forced detransition and erasure, their intent is a far more immediate solution.
Please do feel free to tell me how I am exaggerating, and these people, who you have been hearing for years calling for such things at the edges of their party, will not now take this result as license, as mandate, to fully implement them.
I don't either. I might not survive another 4 years of that madman and his posse.
It's not just our struggle worth remembering too. Remember how many people were never included in our democracy from the start. Black people in the Jim Crow South were not living in a democracy for them. Every racial group but white people has faced violence from the state and other citizens for much of our countries history. While that struggle certainly continues, positive change has been made. And people still managed to find community and start families and live in the midst of all that.
This is a dark day in our countries history, but it's one in a long history of dark days. Shits bad but it's not over.
The move to place blame on us is summarized by the timely Onion headline, "ELECTION ALERT: still too early to know which minority to scapegoat".
Erin,
Thank you so much for making this Newsletter. It has been a clarifying--if anxiety producing--presence these last few years. Thank you for trying to give us all hope. I think it has successfully given me hope, honestly.
Violet