Anti-trans laws have swept across the country. With them, the world feels like it is getting smaller. I ask myself... when will the borders of where it is safe get to me?
< "if a cisgender person demands that a transgender person leave a restroom corresponding to their gender identity, non-compliance will result in arrest and criminal penalties." > Jim Crow South - If a white person demands that a black person leave his seat at the lunch counter corresponding to their status as a black person, non-compliance will result in arrest and criminal penalties. This is Jim/Jane Crow.
I'm still reeling from what I saw at the Texas capitol on Tuesday. This place isn't home anymore. I'm from Missouri, originally. I don't want to spend the rest of my life just jumping from place to place staying in front of the tidal wave.
There is a further concern here. What will happen to trans people if they are arrested and placed in jail? Having spent some time in federal prison, I can tell you that the system promotes the abuse, rape and even murder of trans inmates. I can only imagine it being even worse in the Florida jail system. We should keep a close eye on our trans brothers and sisters who are incarcerated in Florida. Their lives will depend on it.
Not to mention it will be easier to execute us with an 8-4 majority for the death penalty in Fl. They won’t bat an eye either. Because they paint us as “sex criminals”.
Also didn't desantis literally get exposed for laughing at people getting tortured when he worked at Guantanamo Bay?? Using the prison system to do this to trans people is this sicko's dream
Cisgender women who support these bathroom bans are in for a rude awakening, when cis women who are much taller or larger than average, or who have a gender-nonconforming presentation, get harassed by these bans. Granted, cis women would have the appropriate ID documents and anatomy (if it comes to a physical exam) to not be “guilty” - but once you’ve been arrested and detained, the psychic damage is done. Also, what person is really going to risk a confrontation by accusing a stranger of being trans? The faulty assumption here is that you can always know what a trans person “looks like”.
It is a short step from this to making us sew a transgender symbol on the outside of our clothing. These laws are created by people who champion themselves as defenders of freedom and liberty. Freedom in America is dead. Liberty in America is dead. These are alienable rights.
I just had to turn down a high-level military job in Florida because of all this. I've developed AI-powered sonar algorithms for the Navy, and a company reached out to me to provide expertise in the creation of a new suite of Navy simulation software. Unfortunately the Navy will be missing out on talent its relied on in the past unless they can create a remote position for me. I'm not getting arrested for taking a piss at work whenever I visit Naval facilities or vessels.
Why doesn’t the Federal government intervene!? They ended up having to to end black segregation. How is this any different? It’s leading to the same end, including lynchings.
I think its a combination of factors, and we will/have seen some federal government intervention.
The primary blockers I see are a) a stacked federal judiciary, b) a broken congress where no moderate democrats are willing to stick their necks out, no republcians, etc... and an executive who really doesn't have much power to do things here by itself.
Ostensibly these kinds of things would be covered under equal rights ammendments and laws, but that requires that the judicial branch actually respect those, and I think they have shown that they have no intention to, which is an interesting reversal from where we were just a few years ago with the Bostock case.
Erin, I do have a disagreement with you over the language used in both this and your tweets today. This is no longer a protracted legal battle for human rights. Eradication and genocide occur in one singular state: war. As it was with the Rohinga, the Uyghur, and countless others, it is now with us: the state is at war with it's people. Be it for resources, ideals, or even as scapegoats, they all share the same drum beat in the background, and unfortunately we can no longer be complacent nor can we, as a collective, afford the hope that one day others will come to see the value in our lives and join us as allies.
I suppose that the upswing of this state is a clarity of friend and foe, and the likelihood that others will open their doors for us as refugees. Until then, anything on the far side of the barrel is not friend.
I live in Maryland too, and it's terrifying watching all of this unfold and wondering what comes next for my friends in other states. I can't go visit some family anymore because getting there requires driving through unfriendly states. Now I can't visit Florida any time soon. I'm not always gendered correctly, and while I'm fine with that, it does make me a target.
When will the UN step in for violation of civil rights in this country? Do we literally have to start being openly beaten and murdered for them to take action?!
I expect now that Florida has done this, Texas will as well. There isn't a bill on the schedule to do this and the window is closing to get it introduced, so we could see executive action.
There is a bill, Texas SB 1029, seeking to make HRT inaccessible for everyone, adults included. I rather suspect that in the next legislative session, we'll see even worse. 😔
Fortunately there are mail-order pharmacies that will still provide HRT prescriptions to trans Texas so it’s not a complete grid lock however, other avenues of care like the surgeries and such in the state will become harder to obtain.
That's assuming any doctor will prescribe to someone living here. The bill in question goes after the doctors, making it impossible for them to maintain malpractice insurance if they provide transgender care.
Right, and I don’t deny that but all I know is if you need HRT, you can still get it through systems like FOLX. I spoke to my provider about everything that’s happening and she assured me that they won’t stop sending HRT despite the liability clauses. I already didn’t use insurance so it is what it is. I’m not trying to downplay anything but if there are still avenues for ppl to use, I think it’s important to make sure ppl know that. Yes we should know what we’re up against but we should also know what resources are still available. Only focusing on what makes me miserable is making me more anxious personally and what helps is making sure I’m spreading positivity in anyway I can. Again, not trying to downplay anything but as far as I know, my provider said my mail order HRT is not yet at risk. Atleast in TX.
What of gender neutral bathrooms? Are those permitted? And with respect to airports isn't that under the jurisdiction of the FAA? They should promulgate a rule that all bathrooms must be gender neutral in states with such laws or require construction of third bathrooms. That would really piss them off. What about the ADA? That regulates inclusion of restrooms. Florida can't set up a system where travelers with Crohn's or prostate issues would affectively be denied restroom facilities.
I feel my days of working at a reasonably inclusive company for over three decades may come to an end soon. I may have to retire early or find a position at another campus located in California or go oversees to Germany. This was never in my plans but I have been starting to put together what an exit plan will look like. Even flying across the US and stops to change a plane in some of these states can become dangerous. I would expect my state to follow Florida on bills banning care for adults and preventing us from using the bathroom. The session is over for now and we already have bad bills signed into law banning care for trans youth. Banning books in libraries, and "Don't say gay bills" including outing kids to parents.
I live in Arkansas, and, speaking only for myself, I'm too afraid to travel now. There are only certain locations in my state where I am confident I can use a public restroom without fear of being accused of sexual indecency with a minor; and, while the charge wouldn't stick, the accusation and arrest would be enough to change my life forever. It's a case of the process convicting me without a formal conviction. And heaven knows what I would encounter in any of the states around mine, an airport, etc. So, I stay put. I won't even travel far within my state.
I understand the impetus to fight; but I think that, in most cases, people will do better to simply flee, even if all you can take with you is what you can carry. Take a lesson from the Jews, who have repeatedly been harrassed and driven from home after home over the centuries. Don't let foolish pride keep you from preserving your own life.
And stick together. I'm guessing that caravans are often safer.
< "if a cisgender person demands that a transgender person leave a restroom corresponding to their gender identity, non-compliance will result in arrest and criminal penalties." > Jim Crow South - If a white person demands that a black person leave his seat at the lunch counter corresponding to their status as a black person, non-compliance will result in arrest and criminal penalties. This is Jim/Jane Crow.
They're also kidnapping transgender children https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/254/?Tab=BillText
I'm still reeling from what I saw at the Texas capitol on Tuesday. This place isn't home anymore. I'm from Missouri, originally. I don't want to spend the rest of my life just jumping from place to place staying in front of the tidal wave.
There is a further concern here. What will happen to trans people if they are arrested and placed in jail? Having spent some time in federal prison, I can tell you that the system promotes the abuse, rape and even murder of trans inmates. I can only imagine it being even worse in the Florida jail system. We should keep a close eye on our trans brothers and sisters who are incarcerated in Florida. Their lives will depend on it.
Yes I expect ultimately the goal of this is to imprison and kill trans people, as well as take away our rights to vote.
Not to mention it will be easier to execute us with an 8-4 majority for the death penalty in Fl. They won’t bat an eye either. Because they paint us as “sex criminals”.
How many innocent people will die?
Most trans women in federal prison are already labeled as sex offenders.
Also didn't desantis literally get exposed for laughing at people getting tortured when he worked at Guantanamo Bay?? Using the prison system to do this to trans people is this sicko's dream
Had no idea he was a former secret prison torture gaurd!WTF!!!
He directed the forced feeding of prisoners at Guantanamo.
Unfortunately it looks like that was just him warming up :(
I was doing okay reading this until I got to "a Montana law now... dictates that they be buried under their assigned sex at birth."
We don't even get dignity in death.
That’s just out and out cruelty!!
Cisgender women who support these bathroom bans are in for a rude awakening, when cis women who are much taller or larger than average, or who have a gender-nonconforming presentation, get harassed by these bans. Granted, cis women would have the appropriate ID documents and anatomy (if it comes to a physical exam) to not be “guilty” - but once you’ve been arrested and detained, the psychic damage is done. Also, what person is really going to risk a confrontation by accusing a stranger of being trans? The faulty assumption here is that you can always know what a trans person “looks like”.
It happens all the time. Bathroom Karens know you’re trans
Based on the success rate of “Transvestigators” I’m inclined to believe that we need better cameras and a lot more corrective eye surgery in society.
Or when a trans dude with a full beard walks into the women's bathroom as mandated by law...
These assholes know trans women can’t safely enter a men’s restroom.
Yeah I'd be absolutely terrified, especially in a red state.
It is a short step from this to making us sew a transgender symbol on the outside of our clothing. These laws are created by people who champion themselves as defenders of freedom and liberty. Freedom in America is dead. Liberty in America is dead. These are alienable rights.
I just had to turn down a high-level military job in Florida because of all this. I've developed AI-powered sonar algorithms for the Navy, and a company reached out to me to provide expertise in the creation of a new suite of Navy simulation software. Unfortunately the Navy will be missing out on talent its relied on in the past unless they can create a remote position for me. I'm not getting arrested for taking a piss at work whenever I visit Naval facilities or vessels.
Why doesn’t the Federal government intervene!? They ended up having to to end black segregation. How is this any different? It’s leading to the same end, including lynchings.
I think its a combination of factors, and we will/have seen some federal government intervention.
The primary blockers I see are a) a stacked federal judiciary, b) a broken congress where no moderate democrats are willing to stick their necks out, no republcians, etc... and an executive who really doesn't have much power to do things here by itself.
Ostensibly these kinds of things would be covered under equal rights ammendments and laws, but that requires that the judicial branch actually respect those, and I think they have shown that they have no intention to, which is an interesting reversal from where we were just a few years ago with the Bostock case.
Erin, I do have a disagreement with you over the language used in both this and your tweets today. This is no longer a protracted legal battle for human rights. Eradication and genocide occur in one singular state: war. As it was with the Rohinga, the Uyghur, and countless others, it is now with us: the state is at war with it's people. Be it for resources, ideals, or even as scapegoats, they all share the same drum beat in the background, and unfortunately we can no longer be complacent nor can we, as a collective, afford the hope that one day others will come to see the value in our lives and join us as allies.
I suppose that the upswing of this state is a clarity of friend and foe, and the likelihood that others will open their doors for us as refugees. Until then, anything on the far side of the barrel is not friend.
I live in Maryland too, and it's terrifying watching all of this unfold and wondering what comes next for my friends in other states. I can't go visit some family anymore because getting there requires driving through unfriendly states. Now I can't visit Florida any time soon. I'm not always gendered correctly, and while I'm fine with that, it does make me a target.
When will the UN step in for violation of civil rights in this country? Do we literally have to start being openly beaten and murdered for them to take action?!
Isn't that already happening? At least to some extent.
I expect now that Florida has done this, Texas will as well. There isn't a bill on the schedule to do this and the window is closing to get it introduced, so we could see executive action.
There is a bill, Texas SB 1029, seeking to make HRT inaccessible for everyone, adults included. I rather suspect that in the next legislative session, we'll see even worse. 😔
Fortunately there are mail-order pharmacies that will still provide HRT prescriptions to trans Texas so it’s not a complete grid lock however, other avenues of care like the surgeries and such in the state will become harder to obtain.
That's assuming any doctor will prescribe to someone living here. The bill in question goes after the doctors, making it impossible for them to maintain malpractice insurance if they provide transgender care.
Right, and I don’t deny that but all I know is if you need HRT, you can still get it through systems like FOLX. I spoke to my provider about everything that’s happening and she assured me that they won’t stop sending HRT despite the liability clauses. I already didn’t use insurance so it is what it is. I’m not trying to downplay anything but if there are still avenues for ppl to use, I think it’s important to make sure ppl know that. Yes we should know what we’re up against but we should also know what resources are still available. Only focusing on what makes me miserable is making me more anxious personally and what helps is making sure I’m spreading positivity in anyway I can. Again, not trying to downplay anything but as far as I know, my provider said my mail order HRT is not yet at risk. Atleast in TX.
Yep. It goes into effect September 1st if signed by Abbott.
That depends on the Dade Phelan, the speaker of the house. Its not 100% certain. The senate is the extreme chamber in texas.
We'll find out about the final fate of SB 14 (youth detransition) tomorrow. That'll tell us a lot about how the rest of this session is going to go.
Also, of course, Abbott can always call a special session over whatever bullshit he wants to.
Yeah, the good news is the house is very behind on legislation and their deadline is coming up. Fingers crossed they just don't get to it.
What of gender neutral bathrooms? Are those permitted? And with respect to airports isn't that under the jurisdiction of the FAA? They should promulgate a rule that all bathrooms must be gender neutral in states with such laws or require construction of third bathrooms. That would really piss them off. What about the ADA? That regulates inclusion of restrooms. Florida can't set up a system where travelers with Crohn's or prostate issues would affectively be denied restroom facilities.
I feel my days of working at a reasonably inclusive company for over three decades may come to an end soon. I may have to retire early or find a position at another campus located in California or go oversees to Germany. This was never in my plans but I have been starting to put together what an exit plan will look like. Even flying across the US and stops to change a plane in some of these states can become dangerous. I would expect my state to follow Florida on bills banning care for adults and preventing us from using the bathroom. The session is over for now and we already have bad bills signed into law banning care for trans youth. Banning books in libraries, and "Don't say gay bills" including outing kids to parents.
I live in Arkansas, and, speaking only for myself, I'm too afraid to travel now. There are only certain locations in my state where I am confident I can use a public restroom without fear of being accused of sexual indecency with a minor; and, while the charge wouldn't stick, the accusation and arrest would be enough to change my life forever. It's a case of the process convicting me without a formal conviction. And heaven knows what I would encounter in any of the states around mine, an airport, etc. So, I stay put. I won't even travel far within my state.
I understand the impetus to fight; but I think that, in most cases, people will do better to simply flee, even if all you can take with you is what you can carry. Take a lesson from the Jews, who have repeatedly been harrassed and driven from home after home over the centuries. Don't let foolish pride keep you from preserving your own life.
And stick together. I'm guessing that caravans are often safer.
Absolutely this. Planning my texit right now.
If I do go to Florida and am assaulted by potty police Ronnie won’t need to hide all his travels that will come out in the data breach