The attorney represents one of the most aggressive anti-trans picks yet from the Trump administration. Her history includes targeting safe refuge states for trans people and suing hospitals.
They did just this with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS during their last term. They used their civil rights office to attack our section 1557 ACA protections, tried to give medical providers protection from treating for any reason based on beliefs (for non trans related issues, even), etc. I presume (though I hope not) that this same guy or similar will return to the role (Roger Severino, who has a long background with the Alliance Defending Freedom and other hugely influential conservative organizations and thinktanks).
I swear to fuck if I planned an entire move to a sanctuary state, uprooted my life, moved away from my family, friends, and job all so this bitch could take those rights away anyway, imma be pissed
I'm level 2.5 autistic, I can't really work. I can't flee. I can't survive without my estrogen. I'm almost completely at the mercy of the people around me, and they voted to kill people like me.
I don't want to do this anymore. What's the point?
Keep focusing on taking care of your self and realize that there are people banding together to fight this. Please 🙏🏻 reach out to people you trust and get support while we work through this. The point is to survive and thrive in the face of all this patriarchal bullshit. Sending you love ❤️
You may find that getting "into action" by joining a local Indivisible group will help reduce your anxiety. You are not overreacting -- this is really serious -- but we can't swim in an ocean of fear and still function. Take breaks from news feeds and surround yourself with supportive or at least neutral people. Love on your head.
Yes, please hang in there. You are not alone. This is all devastating to hear, but we have millions of people on our side and organizations who are prepared to fight. She may not get approved, so let's take it one step at a time.
And if she does get approved, we have our own target to focus on (non-violent targeting...to be very clear).
Christian Nationalists have recently and historically proven that bigotry is a disease that does not go away. It's a human cancer. And Freedom Fighters have historically proven that bigotry will not be tolerated. Let's prove it once again!
While expressing my fears about losing my rights to my gender affirming care providers, each one tried to assure me that nothing can happen, there are plenty of safeguards in place, that I had nothing to worry about in the short term. While I absolutely love my providers, they really don't get why I am afraid of things to come and why I am positive that our community has weeks, not months or years before the crap hits the fan.
I am waiting impatiently for my updated passport to get back to me, I also have a consultation for my bottom surgery in a week. My life has now become a race against the clock and I fear that I will be losing.
I'm sorry to hear that well meaning cis people are minimizing your legitimate fears. It's so commonplace and I wish they would stop, because it has a similar psychological effect as gaslighting. Even to say, "your concerns are valid, and I'm here to support you" is preferable to dismissing the risk. I'm glad to hear you are preparing. Stay safe
Thank you, like I said, my providers are wonderful, but since they are all cis I do not feel that they truly understand the gravity of what is happening.
I guess we all just have to do what we can do, cross our fingers and hope for the best.
My goodness. This is the worst case scenario for the trans community to date. Other than contacting every elected official we can contact and adding your post to our social media (which I will assuredly do), what can we do, Erin?
Erin's call to contact our elected officials about this really inspired me. It took me a while to /just start/ writing this out even because I have so many thoughts and feelings about this issue. I shared this as a separate comment, but I thought I'd add it here as well: I created a template based on my letter to my senators in case it might help others draft their own <3 https://tinyurl.com/5ahwpt9e
If SCOTUS upholds the Tennessee ban then they are saying the states have their rights. Basically the 10th amendment,I believe. Along with the GOP fringe theory of the 'independent state.'
If this is what happens with SCOTUS and Tennessee....
This is then the foundation of the blue state arguments back at the Federal government that an individual state has the right to pass their own bills and not have the state's rights infringed upon by the federal government.
If SCOTUS sends it back to Tennessee, I doubt if they'll put a stay on the TN ban.
Correct, but that's also why I put that 'it becomes the foundation of the blue State argument back to the federal gov't.
At a min., If the GOP tries to push into blue states rights then it shows many more Americans just how two-faced SCOTUS and the GOP are. And maybe we get more allies that can help fight back
Erin, I’m a big fan of your journalism, but this is such bad news that I am concerned that it will set off loads of intense anxiety and panic (as well it probably should), such that I think some specific direction - from you and others - re. what trans people can and should do at this point are in order. Can she really override or nullify blue state protections? And would those states fight back? I think this is the question of overriding importance here, because so many people have either moved to such states, or already live in them with the threadbare hope that it will protect them. These MAGA people are foaming-at-the-mouth radicals and there is no stopping point with them, and nothing they won’t do against trans people. If no blue states are going to be safe, then it’s time to think about overseas locations and the feasibility of applying for asylum, drastic though that may sound.
We need attorneys, preferably queer or trans ones who understand the risks, to provide information on realistic possible outcomes without exaggerating OR minimizing. Right now, trans people are making life altering decisions based on vibes. The best thing someone could do is game out the opposition's strategies, plans, and odds of success so we can plan accordingly.
I live in the ultra-red state of South Carolina. I have never been politically active in the past - but I am certainly active now. I'm currently working with the Interfaith Alliance (https://interfaithalliance.org/) to support some of their fundraising goals and establish an affiliate in South Carolina. We're also working with the group that produced the Banned Together (https://www.bannedtogetherdoc.com/) documentary to expand that nationwide. I've been active for months now in the social impact branches of the Episcopal Church. I've also begun attending the Democratic Party meetings here in Bluffton, SC - where we regularly get our butts kicked - to see what we can do to prepare for the next cycle. We did get a Dem elected to the local school board; small wins!
Sandra et all, I absolutely don't have the answers. But I can assure you that we have a voice. We are stronger than we think. Activation and organizations works b/c people really do care. Keep faith. Keep fighting.
Peace, love and prayers.
"To fight for our country is always worth it." - Kamala Harris
Imagine this being your whole politics. It is absolutely insane.
And then they call their movements and organizations "parents' choice" and "Moms for Liberty" and "The Center for American Liberty. I am so sick of these people.
This is how Project 2025 takes over; it attacks blue states where they are most vulnerable. Eventually blue vs red won't matter because Christian nationalism is the law of the land.
This story in the NYTs doesn't say a single word about her anti-trans activism nor does it mention Chloe Cole. All it says is that she was a devoted fan of trump.
What a bunch of cowards. Over and over and over again.
There is nothing signifying civil rights attorney anywhere near this women’s history. What a horrible pick. Of course that’s the purpose of these picks.
Never had I considered that "civil rights attorney" could be an offensive position rather than a defensive one.
They did just this with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS during their last term. They used their civil rights office to attack our section 1557 ACA protections, tried to give medical providers protection from treating for any reason based on beliefs (for non trans related issues, even), etc. I presume (though I hope not) that this same guy or similar will return to the role (Roger Severino, who has a long background with the Alliance Defending Freedom and other hugely influential conservative organizations and thinktanks).
Two words: Keir Starmer
I swear to fuck if I planned an entire move to a sanctuary state, uprooted my life, moved away from my family, friends, and job all so this bitch could take those rights away anyway, imma be pissed
So he’s just stacking the deck in their favor to remove all rights and regulations of trans people first before going after everyone else. 🤦🏼♀️
Fuck! This genocidal Nazi must be stopped!
At this point it's just best to expect the opposite of whatever the department is supposed to be for regarding who gets in there...
This is the point. They want a dysfunctional government, hopefully they can deliver with that and these fascists aren't able to get anything done.
I don’t think they want a dysfunctional government but a tyrannical one.
Tyrannical from our point of view. Godly, just, and efficient from their point of view.
“Protecting liberty” from their Orwellian point of view.
Speaking from a Deep Blue State… Hopefully it’s still a “State’s Right” to protect its citizens human rights.
"States Rights" only count if the state is a red state. :(
I'm level 2.5 autistic, I can't really work. I can't flee. I can't survive without my estrogen. I'm almost completely at the mercy of the people around me, and they voted to kill people like me.
I don't want to do this anymore. What's the point?
Keep focusing on taking care of your self and realize that there are people banding together to fight this. Please 🙏🏻 reach out to people you trust and get support while we work through this. The point is to survive and thrive in the face of all this patriarchal bullshit. Sending you love ❤️
Same here. I’m also an autistic trans woman. The GOP made it clear that they want us dead and fuck anybody who voted for them.
Hang in there. Have faith. We're working together to fight this bigoted hate-mongering.
This fight is going to take a while... but we can get there!
Thank you. I needed that pep talk.
You may find that getting "into action" by joining a local Indivisible group will help reduce your anxiety. You are not overreacting -- this is really serious -- but we can't swim in an ocean of fear and still function. Take breaks from news feeds and surround yourself with supportive or at least neutral people. Love on your head.
Yes, please hang in there. You are not alone. This is all devastating to hear, but we have millions of people on our side and organizations who are prepared to fight. She may not get approved, so let's take it one step at a time.
And if she does get approved, we have our own target to focus on (non-violent targeting...to be very clear).
Christian Nationalists have recently and historically proven that bigotry is a disease that does not go away. It's a human cancer. And Freedom Fighters have historically proven that bigotry will not be tolerated. Let's prove it once again!
While expressing my fears about losing my rights to my gender affirming care providers, each one tried to assure me that nothing can happen, there are plenty of safeguards in place, that I had nothing to worry about in the short term. While I absolutely love my providers, they really don't get why I am afraid of things to come and why I am positive that our community has weeks, not months or years before the crap hits the fan.
I am waiting impatiently for my updated passport to get back to me, I also have a consultation for my bottom surgery in a week. My life has now become a race against the clock and I fear that I will be losing.
I'm sorry to hear that well meaning cis people are minimizing your legitimate fears. It's so commonplace and I wish they would stop, because it has a similar psychological effect as gaslighting. Even to say, "your concerns are valid, and I'm here to support you" is preferable to dismissing the risk. I'm glad to hear you are preparing. Stay safe
Thank you, like I said, my providers are wonderful, but since they are all cis I do not feel that they truly understand the gravity of what is happening.
I guess we all just have to do what we can do, cross our fingers and hope for the best.
My goodness. This is the worst case scenario for the trans community to date. Other than contacting every elected official we can contact and adding your post to our social media (which I will assuredly do), what can we do, Erin?
Erin's call to contact our elected officials about this really inspired me. It took me a while to /just start/ writing this out even because I have so many thoughts and feelings about this issue. I shared this as a separate comment, but I thought I'd add it here as well: I created a template based on my letter to my senators in case it might help others draft their own <3 https://tinyurl.com/5ahwpt9e
Sadly it makes the SCOTUS decision more important
I posted the other day about this.
If SCOTUS upholds the Tennessee ban then they are saying the states have their rights. Basically the 10th amendment,I believe. Along with the GOP fringe theory of the 'independent state.'
If this is what happens with SCOTUS and Tennessee....
This is then the foundation of the blue state arguments back at the Federal government that an individual state has the right to pass their own bills and not have the state's rights infringed upon by the federal government.
If SCOTUS sends it back to Tennessee, I doubt if they'll put a stay on the TN ban.
You’re assuming principles from the court, they just will put their policy preferences into law. That’s how they will rule.
Correct, but that's also why I put that 'it becomes the foundation of the blue State argument back to the federal gov't.
At a min., If the GOP tries to push into blue states rights then it shows many more Americans just how two-faced SCOTUS and the GOP are. And maybe we get more allies that can help fight back
So, so much so. Please remand the case back 🙏 A sweeping interpretation of our class on 14th amendment grounds could be so bad with this.
Erin, I’m a big fan of your journalism, but this is such bad news that I am concerned that it will set off loads of intense anxiety and panic (as well it probably should), such that I think some specific direction - from you and others - re. what trans people can and should do at this point are in order. Can she really override or nullify blue state protections? And would those states fight back? I think this is the question of overriding importance here, because so many people have either moved to such states, or already live in them with the threadbare hope that it will protect them. These MAGA people are foaming-at-the-mouth radicals and there is no stopping point with them, and nothing they won’t do against trans people. If no blue states are going to be safe, then it’s time to think about overseas locations and the feasibility of applying for asylum, drastic though that may sound.
We need attorneys, preferably queer or trans ones who understand the risks, to provide information on realistic possible outcomes without exaggerating OR minimizing. Right now, trans people are making life altering decisions based on vibes. The best thing someone could do is game out the opposition's strategies, plans, and odds of success so we can plan accordingly.
I live in the ultra-red state of South Carolina. I have never been politically active in the past - but I am certainly active now. I'm currently working with the Interfaith Alliance (https://interfaithalliance.org/) to support some of their fundraising goals and establish an affiliate in South Carolina. We're also working with the group that produced the Banned Together (https://www.bannedtogetherdoc.com/) documentary to expand that nationwide. I've been active for months now in the social impact branches of the Episcopal Church. I've also begun attending the Democratic Party meetings here in Bluffton, SC - where we regularly get our butts kicked - to see what we can do to prepare for the next cycle. We did get a Dem elected to the local school board; small wins!
Sandra et all, I absolutely don't have the answers. But I can assure you that we have a voice. We are stronger than we think. Activation and organizations works b/c people really do care. Keep faith. Keep fighting.
Peace, love and prayers.
"To fight for our country is always worth it." - Kamala Harris
"Giving up is unforgivable." - Joe Biden
Imagine this being your whole politics. It is absolutely insane.
And then they call their movements and organizations "parents' choice" and "Moms for Liberty" and "The Center for American Liberty. I am so sick of these people.
This is how Project 2025 takes over; it attacks blue states where they are most vulnerable. Eventually blue vs red won't matter because Christian nationalism is the law of the land.
This story in the NYTs doesn't say a single word about her anti-trans activism nor does it mention Chloe Cole. All it says is that she was a devoted fan of trump.
What a bunch of cowards. Over and over and over again.
Interesting that she’s anti-trans and practices the Sikh religion (equality being one of the tenets). Lying goes against their principles as well.
There is nothing signifying civil rights attorney anywhere near this women’s history. What a horrible pick. Of course that’s the purpose of these picks.