How are you dealing with all these new anti-trans/LGBTQ+ laws?
How are you dealing with all these new anti-trans/LGBTQ+ laws?
There's been so many new laws passed across the US (and some other countries world wide as well), that makes it feel like even visiting another area is unsafe. I feel like I can't go anywhere without feeling like the entire state is out to get me.
I’m actually staying put in this increasingly hostile state because I still think, maybe naively, hearts and minds can still be won over, and I’m not going to let the obnoxiously loud minority bully me out of the community I’ve implanted myself into that I now call home. There’s a size full amount of us out here doing so.
Granted, I’m speaking from a point of privilege where I have access to out of state inclusive medical care from my employer, and social & financial mobility if things got extremely messy - I totally understand if you need to escape and do what’s best for you, especially rights/medical wise. But I’m taking this privilege, staking my flag in the ground, and being out and proud & show that I’m not going to be deterred.
As someone who moved out of TN, seriously, good for you, and I'm glad to see you being reasonable - I've caught so much flak for moving out from other queer people.
I’ve heard the flak you’re talking about with similar discourse here in FL - I’m sorry to hear you had to go through that to what I bet was already a tough decision and/or move. Unfortunately there’s so much judgment in what is already a marginalized community!! But I think everyone should do what feels right for them and what they can do in the current moment - I sincerely hope you are in a much better spot where you are now!
That's both frustrating and appalling. This is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation, because I can't even remember how many times I've seen the sentiment that "oh the conservative states have made their bed, let them sleep in it" without regard for the members of the queer community who still live there. Sometimes, that's even followed up with "just move out" when those members are brought up, completely disregarding whether that's even possible on a financial or emotional level. Every situation is different, and there is no correct answer. The best we can do is support people who are making decisions in good faith, as long as those decisions don't harm others.
By throwing myself in to my new relationship and by trying to admin a Lemmy instance during this insane sign up wave.
tl;dr - distracting myself to avoid thinking about it
Every time I hear about rights being taken away I become more bold about my queerness.
Same with my straight cis partner. He actually begged me to paint a trans flag on his banjo because the main online banjo forum was being anti-trans and he was like "Well I don't want people in public thinking I'm a bigot just because I play banjo"
Granted we're a straight passing Canadian couple so these new anti-trans laws haven't directly affected us but he's wholeheartedly an ally and I've identified as bi for as long as I can remember so we do what we can to push back against anti lgbt (or generally bigoted) behaviour.
touching grass in not enoUGH I NEED BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO POWERFUL PEOPLE!!!!
I live in Florida, and I have no current plans to leave.
I'm lucky/privileged that the current set of laws don't affect me directly (or at least significantly), so I intend to stay as long as I can, so i can continue to protest and bring attention to these issues
I understand that things are fucked right now. If anyone feels they need to leave, i fully support them to do so. (Many of my friends have left for New York or Illinois,) I'm just not at that point myself yet.
I'm in the UK right now but trying to evaluate where I can get to after my uni course. Currently looking at Germany and New Zealand but really, I just want somewhere I can hole up with a partner and feel safe. I don't know where that'll be.
Aotearoa in general is pretty good - keep an eye on what happens here in the next six months ago. We're seeing the same rise in anti-trans disinformation that everywhere else is, unfortunately, and we have an election in October - some parties have already made gender an election issue.
I remain optimistic - I know the opposition is an absolutely tiny minority - and we're pretty good in terms of general inclusion and access to healthcare, but it'll be an interesting few months!
The government of Puerto Rico has many problems, but shitty anti-LGBT laws aren't one of them fortunately. The politicians are too busy using the age-old "statehood, current status, or independence" as a wedge issue to even think about other, more relevant topics. And as a result many LGBT supportive bills have been approved, the Civil Code was even ammended to explicitly protect same gender marriage.
I don't fear much for a government problem, but for a personal problem. I'm going to start transitioning as soon as possible because my mental health can't take it anymore, and while I'm doing that I'll be saving money, but if my parents find out too soon...needless to say it could end up very badly.
To answer your question, since I already have too much pressure on me, I decided to avoid as much as possible these news. A part of me feels bad for looking the other way, but reading news after news of yet another state making people like me miserable, it takes a toll on me.
getting the hell out of here and headed to protected states. if they don't want us then i don't want to be here.
Yeah, I just moved from Tennessee to New York. Look, there's stuff wrong with every state, but at least NY isn't going to try to kill me or invalidate my marriage.
Washington is a good destination! Laws at the state level are very progressive, decent jobs market. The biggest drawback is the hight cost of living (on the west side of the state.)
ty 💙 was really my only downside i could think of for washington, the cost of living.
Did the same thing. Fled a red state a couple years ago. I get that it's a massive privilege but I spent years agitating and the writing was on the wall. Within 18 months of fleeing, they moved to outlaw affirming care for trans kids and adults. I miss owning a home, miss my garden, miss so many things about where I lived (and hoo boy the higher cost of living is a drain). But at least I know that my partner and I can access necessary health care and if my kid should ever need to, they will be able to, too.
Bonus, not paying taxes anymore to a state that would kill me sooner than grant me basic human dignity and bodily autonomy.
Doing my best to support my trans comrades and figuring out how to best organize against this shit.
I'm actively planning to move to a different province. Our premier has recently started regurgitating rhetoric extremely similar to what we can see down south, and our Conservative party has managed to claw back some rights which had been established for the safety and well-being of trans and non-binary kids had in school.
Saving up money and having an escape plan gives me a light at the end of the tunnel. I do feel some guilt for not trying to stay here and fight, but I'm not a fighter at heart. Yet it seems like I've been doing nothing but fighting. I'm tired.
(And I'll be honest, another way I deal is by consuming way too many drugs.)
Trying to raise awareness in the UK, where I live, whilst at the same time becoming dissociated as fuck.
Any activism groups or anything like that in the UK you'd recommend helping?
I'm afraid I don't know any off the top of my head. I guess Switchboard is a good charity, but I don't know about any activists.
Right now, I'm just keeping my peers up to date and on the right track; I'd do more, and I will do more, but for now I just need to keep people's attention and respect, or I likely won't be able to reach them at all.
I'm in the US, and my family was fortunate to be able to move states. I'm still worried what will happen with the next US presidential election and whether we'll have to flee the country. There was a news article recently that told the story of a trans child whose family was also moving. I found out they lived in my old neighborhood :( I am angry and scared and sad for these kids.
Meanwhile, everyone I know who is not queer is very dismissive when I try and talk about this stuff. They either accuse me of exaggerating, or assure me it will never get worse (worse? than what? literally having to move? people being denied healthcare? emergency care?).
I also have a lot of anxiety being around kids. Because of all the stupid propaganda about queer people being groomers, I feel like someone's going to accuse me of something, but I'm an anxious person to begin with.
I'm also afraid to travel to "red states" (something that doesn't actually exist). It might help you to know that I recently did, and everyone was friendly.
I think the real tragedy here is that most people are supportive of queer people, but there's this tiny group of people shouting really loudly and making it seem like the world's out to get us.
And for the record, I'm not letting these people prevent me from doing the things I want to do. That's what they want.
Staying out of red states like crazy.
My country where I live has always been hostile but there's no big flareup right now. Fortunately for me I am bi and cis so I can hide it easily. I feel for my guys, gals, and enby pals in those countries where progress was being made and now it's regressing to worse than it was before like the US.
I live in the only city in the world with an official transgender district, so I'm sitting in a place of extreme privilege. I've been pushing on my organization to do better- I've increased access to transgender healthcare for our employees and their children. I've hired out of state queers to come give talks so I can help financially support where I can. I'm even giving talks about diversity and equity now. I support local queers by going to their establishments and seeking out queer and trans artists to support wherever I can. I offer up my knowledge when I can through a variety of trans communities I participate in. I wish I could do more, but I'm happy doing what I can.
What city has a transgender district?? A part of me really loves the idea of that, but I also get worried about segregation. What is it like to live there??
San Francisco. It's not segregated and trans people don't have to live there, it's just a recognition and celebration of trans people. They have a bunch of local government officials who do trans stuff like educationals, put on trans artists, work on improving healthcare and other issues for trans people, etc.
I'm trying my best to push back against the hatred within my area and community. I do foresee myself needing to leave eventually, but we will see. I think it's likely parts of my state will essentially break off if things go off the wall hard enough though.
Can I, as a foreigner help pushing back?
It honestly depends. Mainly spreading awareness and boosting movements that are pushing back definitely help. Being at least conscious to a degree of what's happening is a step in the right direction.
My area seems so be solid with LGBT acceptance. It's not perfect by any means but you don't see any radical far right elements that have been popping up.
I just went Friday to submit my name change court order to the DPS in Texas for a new Driver's license, and all the people there seemed to be perfectly nice.
I don't necessarily like it here, but moving is hard, especially when I have a job I like here that's not entirely remote just yet. If my building ever shuts down and I go to full remote work (possibly planned within 1-2 years at a company level), then I'll probably move somewhere more LGBT-friendly.
Trying NOT to think about it, and failing real hard. The overwhelming sense of dread as things seem to keep getting worse little by little, has me trying to speedrun my transition so as much gets covered by insurance before 2024 comes around, because I'm afraid of what the US will be in 2025 lmao..
I bounce between being angrily out and worried about the safety of my family. I'm not worried so much about the politicians here in Canada, I don't believe that the the alt right rhetoric will win them government, but I do worry about the nutjobs they will inspire to act out violently.
I noticed this year that while my town was drowning in rainbows this time last year, there are maybe 2 or 3 on businesses and I haven't seen one on houses this year.
So, sadly, m'husband and I have agreed that there will be no Pride flag on the house this year and we'll walk the pride march with a careful eye on the protesters who will turn up.
I don't believe that the the alt right rhetoric will win them government
As an Albertan I have to disagree, unfortunately.
It wasn't long ago that gays and Jews were gassed and burned in Germany. When people fight fascism, racism and homophobia, it's not fair to turn around and say "look there was nothing to worry about".
That's like vaccinating, never getting sick and claiming the disease never existed.
I'm so scared... Luckily I'm safe in Utah for a bit. Got a plan to move back home to Oregon in the next year or two
Mean its not the only thing thats contributing to having me feel that way, but I am feeling pretty burnt out and I'm kind of just going through the motions at this point. Bit of a nasty feedback loop of lack of energy/motivation/whatever that leads me to not do much beyond the same bleh stuff.
Know its not a good way to be but its pretty much all I can really do at the moment :v