Hey folks. I want to thank you for sticking with me. I used to get very nervous writing pieces about Democrats because I understand the party dynamics at play right now. But you've all allowed me to write about the issues that affect transgender people and LGBTQ+ people, no matter who it comes from.
I'm so pleased to be able to do this. Things are hard right now, but find strength in your local communities, and I'll never stop doing this work.
Hey, seriously, fuck the Democrats if they (hypothetically, I should say) aren't going to do the job, I'm rational before I'm anything else. Reason tells me to vote Democratic, at least for now. But loyalty to them is only due to the fact they've largely been on our side, socially, it doesn't *guarantee* that will always be so.
We are so lucky to have you on our team fighting for us, Erin! The Democrats have a long history of betraying various constituencies when facing even mild pressure from Republicans. It sometimes seems they're only waiting for an excuse to go in directions they're so inclined to anyway. Not reporting on these frightening cowardly retreats on their parts would paint a false picture of the situation, which wouldn't serve the community in the long or even the short run! Please keep up your great work!
Your willingness (and courage) to take a nonpartisan stance in shining light on trans issues is how you've earned respect as a serious journalist of integrity in broader journalistic circles!
PLEASE continue to do this critical work if you can! You are the champion all of us needs right now as we struggle both INTERNALLY (against what you know all about just as much as the rest of us) as well as EXTERNALLY (where we rely heavily upon your access, connections, and elite skills to explain the complexities to us humble lay-people.
All politicians need to be challenged on the issues. I certainly appreciate you highlighting their deficiencies whatever side of the pond you're reporting on.
Their framing on this drives me insane. The term “biological men” doesn’t even have scientific meaning. “Men” is not a biological term, nor a biological category. The term “biological men” serves NO scientific purpose, its value is exclusively as a tool of hate toward trans people.
I don’t know what’s worse, the state of anti-trans hate or the state of scientific literacy
Right! The real biological difference still comes down to whether someone has an estrogen dominant system or testosterone. Even then there is a huge variance, especially when intersex conditions are involved.
Plus it's absolutely horrendous to me that they are literally talking about punishing and excluding literal children for reasons beyond their control. .
I started voicing my concerns that this would happen when at the DNC, trans rights were not brought up by any of the major speakers or candidates. It was rare to even hear "LGBTQ" mentioned. Even the HRC president's speech omitted the real threats we face in this country. All I hear is that people should be able to "love who they love", and that "women should get to decide what happens to their bodies" and "people shouldn't worry what other people do in their bedrooms". The T has been silent AF. I was concerned that my not mentioning us during the DNC and on the campaign trail, that we might see Democrats bend on trans issues as Dems try to find ways to pass "bipartisan" bills and that they'd betray trans adults and kids, now here we are. I'm sick over it. I've campaigned for Harris/Walz, and I know Trump/Republicans are the worst case scenario, but I'm not feeling very confident that Democrats will have our backs in any of this. It's like we don't matter. I really hate what this country has become. People say they're just avoiding speaking on trans anything because it might hurt their election chances and it's better to avoid/ignore the topic. Maybe, but I'm not convinced.
Except it *won’t* hurt their election chances and it would do the opposite because the people who are most passionate about trans issues are Dem voters. The Dems are foolish to abandon us and any strategist who recommends throwing us under the bus should be fired not only for reasons of humanity but electoral ones as well!
at least, that's what we gotta keep telling them. It turns out turning anti-trans worked just fine for Labour. There's a world where the Dems agree to persecute trans people, and still win. It's not hard to be the "moderate" party in the eyes of cis people and still commit human rights abuses against trans people, particularly when the party you're running against are literally Nazis. I hope we never see the Dem national platform shift that way, but it's ABSOLUTELY possible. We are in danger.
BUT so far the Dems HAVE had our backs, and we just have to give that positive reinforcement. In Illinois and in Minnesota at the very least, there have been a whole slew of pro-trans bills that I have personally already benefited from
KDH selecting Walz as her running mate was a good move, with his record as governor of MN. But that alone isn't a policy, we should be hearing more talk regarding the rights of trans people, more assurance that they still think it matters.
Just a tech issue on my end -- I wrote a comment and it got misplaced, I think because I'm using an extension loaded browser instead of the app that Substack is clearly optimized for.
100% with you. I would be going door-to-door 24/7 if ANYONE had been asked in a debate (or uttered the "T" at all!): "Are you an ally of the Transgender/Non-Binary/Gender Nonconforming Community? Will you work for their rights?" and answered, simply, "Yes."
Yes, that's been bothering me too. I just wrote something similar to VP Harris on her personal website. Don't know if she reads her own messages there, but this is horrifying. I have 0 confidence in them right now. Not for trans rights I don't.
"Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it." -- George Bernard Shaw.
Not to slander pigs, which are intelligent creatures, but the metaphor is apt. You don't win by going on the defensive and responding to offensive, outrageous claims. You look weak to your supporters and opponents alike, and you wind up giving credibility to the outrage.
This, you don't respond to the trolls, you ignore them completely. They want you to respond and it doesn't matter what response you give they will use it to attack more.
I called Senator Brown's office to leave a comment as a trans midwesterner who refuses to so much as stop my car when I'm passing through Ohio as things are already, with a comment about how he should be ashamed in playing a role in signaling that things might get worse. I'm getting so tired of this. We have next to no real representation in American government and I feel like the best we can hope for in this upcoming election is a slightly slowed rate of backwards progress. Kamala does not inspire confidence in me, especially post-convention where she already appears to be bowing to the extreme right. Things are already so tenuous and if the Democrats start to compromise on trans rights, we simply will not have any recourse left. I don't know what to do or how to feel. I just want to get on with the rest of my life.
That's the thing that frustrates me. One day at a time is fine for emergent personal crises, but it's no way to live your *entire* life. Right now, I feel like I can't make any plans that require long-term commitment. I want to go back to school, but I don't know how suddenly dropping out will affect my eligibility for certain programs we have here in MI for free college if I need to unexpectedly leave the country if I lose access to healthcare. And I do have a plan for that even though it puts a pit in my stomach every time I think about how necessary it is. There's so many "ifs" and so little certainty to inform all of the decisions I'd need to make to plan my future, and all the while, I just keep getting older and having less and less time to wait for improvements. The moral arc of the universe is long and bends towards justice, but I'm mortal.
I know what you mean. My egg cracked at 41 and I started my medical transition last May, one month before I turned 42. I’m on Medicaid because I’ve been autistic my entire life and I don’t know how I will cope once the fascists eventually get into power again.
I'm not sure I understand why Dem politicians don't either respond all in, or don't respond at all. Transgender issues are important, but only rank 23rd in importance to Dem voters, after the economy, inflation, etc. So stand proudly for LGBTQ rights, or ignore the attack ads.
Many Dems would respect a politician proudly taking a stand. While ignoring the attack ads probably won't make a difference to most Dem voters. Either way you're not going to persuade MAGAts. And going halfway just pisses off everybody. It feels like they're trying to pacify bigots.
Unfortunately the politicians who stay in office are the ones that manage to appeas voters on both sides of an issue without committing too much to either side. It's a matter of personal integrity how much a politician is willing to be a hypocrite in order to get elected.
Lives in Ohio. Brown does well overall but given the conspiracies being pushed and eaten whole through most of the state, this turn of phrase and framing makes sense strategically. And yes, this is saying the quiet parts out loud now.
"Hey folks. I want to thank you for sticking with me." ....Well this 74 year old Grannie wants to hug you every time I read one of your posts. I am so impressed by your gifting of time, energy and love for all of us. Sometimes I have to pause, look back and realize dedicated committed activists like you contributed to my being able to expand my world to inclusiveness. We will never be able to measure the positive growth you promote with your work perhaps for a very long time. What I can measure is that since finding this group my life has less stress knowing that there are others fighting the hate. I so value and appreciate you and your work Erin.
At first glance I was happy thinking the headline “Transgender Biological Men” was acknowledging Men whom society calls trans: are in fact Men. My feelings changed drastically reading further. Sexism, and racism are disgraceful, and repulsive.
In one sense, I can understand making some kind of response to a wave of attack ads such as the anti-transgender ones being aimed at Sherrod Brown; "President" John Kerry can tell you about the dangers of letting charges, even bogus ones, go unchallenged.
But I think the bigger danger here and why any such action needs to be oh-so carefully calculated is that the very act of making a response indicates the claim is worthy of one and so elevates the relative importance of the issue. Reports are that Texas GOPpers were thrilled with Colin Allred's response to their anti-trans ads there, not for the content but because he gave one.
Democrats have by and large successfully ignored transphobic attacks precisely because most people attach little importance to trans issues in comparison to others. If they don't feel comfortable openly and fully endorsing transgender rights they should either say "Can we just talk about the things people actually care about" or keep their mouths shut.
One side observation is that I will forgive Brown for using the phrase "transgender biological men" because they were relying on the TV news report for the refutation. While they could have used just the still image, the voice-over adds impact and editing it to remove the phrase "biological men" is an open invitation to charges of "twisting the facts." (Remember, a charge doesn't have to be valid to be made.)
"If Democrats begin to compromise on transgender rights, following Labour's path of accepting asterisks on trans identity, the damage could be irreversible."
For the foreseeable decades, yes. The biological reality of people being transgender exists independently of politics. The legal reality of it depends on a party plausibly in power roughly 50% of the time, not being dedicated to the abuse of us but willing to spend some political capital to prevent it.
Sherrod and Allred need to experience pushback over this. Write letters. Make calls.
For that matter, it has only been in the last decade or so the Social Conservatives were concentrated in the GOP -- the likes of Tipper Gore and her participation in the "rock and roll music lyrics played forwards" moral panic looming large in my mind, and her not notable a Republican. In the event Trump! loses, the GOP will be attempting to eject his MAGA/SocialConservative hangers on -- we should help them.
I know of no present group in politics that better deserves to twist in the wind, and which could better be sent to it.
As a trans person in Ohio that doesn't see all the ads cause I'm a millennial. I APPRECIATE YOUR COVERAGE. I'm not surprised he doubled down, but this is a perfect example of just because they're dems doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart.
I'm so sorry. And it's shocking coming from Sherrod Brown from all people because he has a pretty progressive record as a legislator! Moves like this are baffling more than anything else!
I feel like with their track record I should only be surprised they didn't throw us under the bus sooner. It's all spinelessness and wanting to "reach across the isle"... Ya know, to the increasingly fascist folks. I fear this is still only the begining and with how Haris has been with other issues lately, I won't lie, I fully expect her to screw us. Brace yourselves.
Take care of yourselves and your community, don't expect help from these politicians. If you can, make sure your passports are up to date and hope you won't need them - some people can stay and keep fighting, some people can't leave if shit really hits the fan, but for the rest, take care of yourself first, you can only help the community if you're still with us. Know your limits, do what you actually can.
The phrase “transgender biological men” is a horrible one - hateful and scientifically inaccurate all at once. Its use is deplorable.
However, I want to bring up an even bigger issue - one that I’m hopeful Erin will start reporting on. That is, I am growing increasingly alarmed about the election. Disappointingly, VP Harris has absolutely NOT been able to put this thing away. To the contrary, the polls are closer than ever, and Trump seems to be doing better with each one released. Plus, we know from 2020 and 2016 that he generally outperforms his polls. So I am concerned that the election is looking rather bleak right now, and that we could be dealing with another Trump presidency soon. That will have hugely awful consequences for trans people - and they will come fast. Among the first things they will do is to come for passports. Medical care will soon follow. It is absolutely essential that contingency plans be discussed and understood by trans people and their families, sooner rather than later, and Erin you can help lead the dialogue on that hopefully.
I am beyond disgusted that the election of someone like Trump is supported by so many in our country. There is something deeply wrong with our country, and I don’t fully understand it. But saving our IDs, health care, and lives is the first priority right now.
It's like guerilla warfare and same in other countries. These far-right fascists won't stop coming & coming & coming. Fighting that takes more than money, and our community is way too splintered, small and closeted to do anything about it. Our own military folds when it comes to that type of warfare. How is a scared bunch of people going to do anything but run and hide? Some will fight without a clear army behind them. Just UGH!
We are working and undermining this awful system, changing hearts and minds gradually, chipping away at the power of these evil folks even if they have absolute legal power over us. The light at the end of the tunnel is coming. The end is coming near for this autocratic bunch. They may have the political power but we have the future.
Hey folks. I want to thank you for sticking with me. I used to get very nervous writing pieces about Democrats because I understand the party dynamics at play right now. But you've all allowed me to write about the issues that affect transgender people and LGBTQ+ people, no matter who it comes from.
I'm so pleased to be able to do this. Things are hard right now, but find strength in your local communities, and I'll never stop doing this work.
Actually, I’m even more pleased that you’re writing about Dems because it proves you care about issues and aren’t some partisan hack!
"I want to thank you for sticking with me."
Hey, Erin, I think I speak for pretty much everyone here when I say we never thought of doing otherwise.
Hey, seriously, fuck the Democrats if they (hypothetically, I should say) aren't going to do the job, I'm rational before I'm anything else. Reason tells me to vote Democratic, at least for now. But loyalty to them is only due to the fact they've largely been on our side, socially, it doesn't *guarantee* that will always be so.
Keep callin' 'em like you see 'em. Try to stay well. Take a hug from me. Love you.
We are so lucky to have you on our team fighting for us, Erin! The Democrats have a long history of betraying various constituencies when facing even mild pressure from Republicans. It sometimes seems they're only waiting for an excuse to go in directions they're so inclined to anyway. Not reporting on these frightening cowardly retreats on their parts would paint a false picture of the situation, which wouldn't serve the community in the long or even the short run! Please keep up your great work!
Yeah, well, it's important to know when we're being thrown under the bus by out supposed allies too tbh.
Honestly idk how you manage to go through all this and still keep it together, it's truly inspiring and your reporting is legitimately invaluable.
Erin is a heroic figure, and so is her wonderful fiance.
Your willingness (and courage) to take a nonpartisan stance in shining light on trans issues is how you've earned respect as a serious journalist of integrity in broader journalistic circles!
Erin:
PLEASE continue to do this critical work if you can! You are the champion all of us needs right now as we struggle both INTERNALLY (against what you know all about just as much as the rest of us) as well as EXTERNALLY (where we rely heavily upon your access, connections, and elite skills to explain the complexities to us humble lay-people.
...and via using words we understand! =)
All politicians need to be challenged on the issues. I certainly appreciate you highlighting their deficiencies whatever side of the pond you're reporting on.
Their framing on this drives me insane. The term “biological men” doesn’t even have scientific meaning. “Men” is not a biological term, nor a biological category. The term “biological men” serves NO scientific purpose, its value is exclusively as a tool of hate toward trans people.
I don’t know what’s worse, the state of anti-trans hate or the state of scientific literacy
Right! The real biological difference still comes down to whether someone has an estrogen dominant system or testosterone. Even then there is a huge variance, especially when intersex conditions are involved.
Plus it's absolutely horrendous to me that they are literally talking about punishing and excluding literal children for reasons beyond their control. .
Yeah, I wouldn't have used that wording in the ad. It may be a way to speak directly to the audience, but it doesn't educate them.
I started voicing my concerns that this would happen when at the DNC, trans rights were not brought up by any of the major speakers or candidates. It was rare to even hear "LGBTQ" mentioned. Even the HRC president's speech omitted the real threats we face in this country. All I hear is that people should be able to "love who they love", and that "women should get to decide what happens to their bodies" and "people shouldn't worry what other people do in their bedrooms". The T has been silent AF. I was concerned that my not mentioning us during the DNC and on the campaign trail, that we might see Democrats bend on trans issues as Dems try to find ways to pass "bipartisan" bills and that they'd betray trans adults and kids, now here we are. I'm sick over it. I've campaigned for Harris/Walz, and I know Trump/Republicans are the worst case scenario, but I'm not feeling very confident that Democrats will have our backs in any of this. It's like we don't matter. I really hate what this country has become. People say they're just avoiding speaking on trans anything because it might hurt their election chances and it's better to avoid/ignore the topic. Maybe, but I'm not convinced.
Except it *won’t* hurt their election chances and it would do the opposite because the people who are most passionate about trans issues are Dem voters. The Dems are foolish to abandon us and any strategist who recommends throwing us under the bus should be fired not only for reasons of humanity but electoral ones as well!
at least, that's what we gotta keep telling them. It turns out turning anti-trans worked just fine for Labour. There's a world where the Dems agree to persecute trans people, and still win. It's not hard to be the "moderate" party in the eyes of cis people and still commit human rights abuses against trans people, particularly when the party you're running against are literally Nazis. I hope we never see the Dem national platform shift that way, but it's ABSOLUTELY possible. We are in danger.
BUT so far the Dems HAVE had our backs, and we just have to give that positive reinforcement. In Illinois and in Minnesota at the very least, there have been a whole slew of pro-trans bills that I have personally already benefited from
Also, even in NYC, our indicted conservative cop mayor Eric Adams made a pro-trans executive order (I realize we’re a queer Mecca, but still): https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/407-23/mayor-adams-signs-executive-order-protecting-access-gender-affirming-health-care-new-york-city
"We are in danger."
About which I said.
"Since the Social Conservatives are dedicated to abusing children with those children's sex, the avenue of attack on them seems clear enough to me."
Yea! You’re right! We must keep as much vigilance as possible!
KDH selecting Walz as her running mate was a good move, with his record as governor of MN. But that alone isn't a policy, we should be hearing more talk regarding the rights of trans people, more assurance that they still think it matters.
"The T has been silent AF."
If you mean Dems have been silent about the T, yes.
Since the Social Conservatives are dedicated to abusing children with those children's sex, the avenue of attack on them seems clear enough to me.
my comments got bugged I'm sorry :( I agree on all fronts though!
"bugged" ?
Just a tech issue on my end -- I wrote a comment and it got misplaced, I think because I'm using an extension loaded browser instead of the app that Substack is clearly optimized for.
100% with you. I would be going door-to-door 24/7 if ANYONE had been asked in a debate (or uttered the "T" at all!): "Are you an ally of the Transgender/Non-Binary/Gender Nonconforming Community? Will you work for their rights?" and answered, simply, "Yes."
Yes, that's been bothering me too. I just wrote something similar to VP Harris on her personal website. Don't know if she reads her own messages there, but this is horrifying. I have 0 confidence in them right now. Not for trans rights I don't.
"Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it." -- George Bernard Shaw.
Not to slander pigs, which are intelligent creatures, but the metaphor is apt. You don't win by going on the defensive and responding to offensive, outrageous claims. You look weak to your supporters and opponents alike, and you wind up giving credibility to the outrage.
This, you don't respond to the trolls, you ignore them completely. They want you to respond and it doesn't matter what response you give they will use it to attack more.
When you're explaining...you're losing.
My vote.
I didn’t think you libeled pigs, don’t worry (remember: slander is spoken, in print, it’s libel)!
I called Senator Brown's office to leave a comment as a trans midwesterner who refuses to so much as stop my car when I'm passing through Ohio as things are already, with a comment about how he should be ashamed in playing a role in signaling that things might get worse. I'm getting so tired of this. We have next to no real representation in American government and I feel like the best we can hope for in this upcoming election is a slightly slowed rate of backwards progress. Kamala does not inspire confidence in me, especially post-convention where she already appears to be bowing to the extreme right. Things are already so tenuous and if the Democrats start to compromise on trans rights, we simply will not have any recourse left. I don't know what to do or how to feel. I just want to get on with the rest of my life.
Hear, hear!
RN my mantra is one-day-at-a-time, and have a plan. But we cannot despair. Just...just hi-eee and I wish I could send a kitty picture. XXXOOO
That's the thing that frustrates me. One day at a time is fine for emergent personal crises, but it's no way to live your *entire* life. Right now, I feel like I can't make any plans that require long-term commitment. I want to go back to school, but I don't know how suddenly dropping out will affect my eligibility for certain programs we have here in MI for free college if I need to unexpectedly leave the country if I lose access to healthcare. And I do have a plan for that even though it puts a pit in my stomach every time I think about how necessary it is. There's so many "ifs" and so little certainty to inform all of the decisions I'd need to make to plan my future, and all the while, I just keep getting older and having less and less time to wait for improvements. The moral arc of the universe is long and bends towards justice, but I'm mortal.
I know what you mean. My egg cracked at 41 and I started my medical transition last May, one month before I turned 42. I’m on Medicaid because I’ve been autistic my entire life and I don’t know how I will cope once the fascists eventually get into power again.
I'm not sure I understand why Dem politicians don't either respond all in, or don't respond at all. Transgender issues are important, but only rank 23rd in importance to Dem voters, after the economy, inflation, etc. So stand proudly for LGBTQ rights, or ignore the attack ads.
Many Dems would respect a politician proudly taking a stand. While ignoring the attack ads probably won't make a difference to most Dem voters. Either way you're not going to persuade MAGAts. And going halfway just pisses off everybody. It feels like they're trying to pacify bigots.
Exactly.
Unfortunately the politicians who stay in office are the ones that manage to appeas voters on both sides of an issue without committing too much to either side. It's a matter of personal integrity how much a politician is willing to be a hypocrite in order to get elected.
And bigots only get emboldened by this.
Sherrod Brown was using so good on a litany of issues and this feels like such a betrayal.
Lives in Ohio. Brown does well overall but given the conspiracies being pushed and eaten whole through most of the state, this turn of phrase and framing makes sense strategically. And yes, this is saying the quiet parts out loud now.
Well said.
I trust your judgment.
"Hey folks. I want to thank you for sticking with me." ....Well this 74 year old Grannie wants to hug you every time I read one of your posts. I am so impressed by your gifting of time, energy and love for all of us. Sometimes I have to pause, look back and realize dedicated committed activists like you contributed to my being able to expand my world to inclusiveness. We will never be able to measure the positive growth you promote with your work perhaps for a very long time. What I can measure is that since finding this group my life has less stress knowing that there are others fighting the hate. I so value and appreciate you and your work Erin.
At first glance I was happy thinking the headline “Transgender Biological Men” was acknowledging Men whom society calls trans: are in fact Men. My feelings changed drastically reading further. Sexism, and racism are disgraceful, and repulsive.
What about biological idiots who place and respond to such advertisements?
In one sense, I can understand making some kind of response to a wave of attack ads such as the anti-transgender ones being aimed at Sherrod Brown; "President" John Kerry can tell you about the dangers of letting charges, even bogus ones, go unchallenged.
But I think the bigger danger here and why any such action needs to be oh-so carefully calculated is that the very act of making a response indicates the claim is worthy of one and so elevates the relative importance of the issue. Reports are that Texas GOPpers were thrilled with Colin Allred's response to their anti-trans ads there, not for the content but because he gave one.
Democrats have by and large successfully ignored transphobic attacks precisely because most people attach little importance to trans issues in comparison to others. If they don't feel comfortable openly and fully endorsing transgender rights they should either say "Can we just talk about the things people actually care about" or keep their mouths shut.
One side observation is that I will forgive Brown for using the phrase "transgender biological men" because they were relying on the TV news report for the refutation. While they could have used just the still image, the voice-over adds impact and editing it to remove the phrase "biological men" is an open invitation to charges of "twisting the facts." (Remember, a charge doesn't have to be valid to be made.)
"If Democrats begin to compromise on transgender rights, following Labour's path of accepting asterisks on trans identity, the damage could be irreversible."
For the foreseeable decades, yes. The biological reality of people being transgender exists independently of politics. The legal reality of it depends on a party plausibly in power roughly 50% of the time, not being dedicated to the abuse of us but willing to spend some political capital to prevent it.
Sherrod and Allred need to experience pushback over this. Write letters. Make calls.
For that matter, it has only been in the last decade or so the Social Conservatives were concentrated in the GOP -- the likes of Tipper Gore and her participation in the "rock and roll music lyrics played forwards" moral panic looming large in my mind, and her not notable a Republican. In the event Trump! loses, the GOP will be attempting to eject his MAGA/SocialConservative hangers on -- we should help them.
I know of no present group in politics that better deserves to twist in the wind, and which could better be sent to it.
#Omelas
As a trans person in Ohio that doesn't see all the ads cause I'm a millennial. I APPRECIATE YOUR COVERAGE. I'm not surprised he doubled down, but this is a perfect example of just because they're dems doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart.
I'm so sorry. And it's shocking coming from Sherrod Brown from all people because he has a pretty progressive record as a legislator! Moves like this are baffling more than anything else!
I feel like with their track record I should only be surprised they didn't throw us under the bus sooner. It's all spinelessness and wanting to "reach across the isle"... Ya know, to the increasingly fascist folks. I fear this is still only the begining and with how Haris has been with other issues lately, I won't lie, I fully expect her to screw us. Brace yourselves.
Take care of yourselves and your community, don't expect help from these politicians. If you can, make sure your passports are up to date and hope you won't need them - some people can stay and keep fighting, some people can't leave if shit really hits the fan, but for the rest, take care of yourself first, you can only help the community if you're still with us. Know your limits, do what you actually can.
The phrase “transgender biological men” is a horrible one - hateful and scientifically inaccurate all at once. Its use is deplorable.
However, I want to bring up an even bigger issue - one that I’m hopeful Erin will start reporting on. That is, I am growing increasingly alarmed about the election. Disappointingly, VP Harris has absolutely NOT been able to put this thing away. To the contrary, the polls are closer than ever, and Trump seems to be doing better with each one released. Plus, we know from 2020 and 2016 that he generally outperforms his polls. So I am concerned that the election is looking rather bleak right now, and that we could be dealing with another Trump presidency soon. That will have hugely awful consequences for trans people - and they will come fast. Among the first things they will do is to come for passports. Medical care will soon follow. It is absolutely essential that contingency plans be discussed and understood by trans people and their families, sooner rather than later, and Erin you can help lead the dialogue on that hopefully.
I am beyond disgusted that the election of someone like Trump is supported by so many in our country. There is something deeply wrong with our country, and I don’t fully understand it. But saving our IDs, health care, and lives is the first priority right now.
It's like guerilla warfare and same in other countries. These far-right fascists won't stop coming & coming & coming. Fighting that takes more than money, and our community is way too splintered, small and closeted to do anything about it. Our own military folds when it comes to that type of warfare. How is a scared bunch of people going to do anything but run and hide? Some will fight without a clear army behind them. Just UGH!
We are working and undermining this awful system, changing hearts and minds gradually, chipping away at the power of these evil folks even if they have absolute legal power over us. The light at the end of the tunnel is coming. The end is coming near for this autocratic bunch. They may have the political power but we have the future.