Something Completely Different

Sure, there's nothing we can do, but I think it might be important that @Lexi Darling and others like her who may be affected adversely by events today has somewhere she/they can talk about their fears and worries, and perhaps gain some small comfort in the support or - perhaps, in the case of some of you - advice we can offer. You're not alone.

I'm scared to live in this world.  It's only going to get much worse from here.  Idk if I have to start over again, I'm tired of starting over.

I can't imagine what it must be like over there today. It's a glib comparison I know, but I feel it may be apt, that of the Jews watching in growing horror as Hitler rose to power. I can't offer any advice, maybe someone else can, but of course nothing can happen till Trump takes power officially, so we can always pray for a long-overdue heart attack. It must be as if your whole world has fallen apart. I just can't comprehend how bad things must look over there now. I guess all I can do is say take heart: you do have friends and we'll be here. Easy to say from where I am, in relative safety I know, but it's all I personally can offer.

Quote from: Trollheart on Nov 06, 2024, 06:21 PMI can't imagine what it must be like over there today. It's a glib comparison I know, but I feel it may be apt, that of the Jews watching in growing horror as Hitler rose to power. I can't offer any advice, maybe someone else can, but of course nothing can happen till Trump takes power officially, so we can always pray for a long-overdue heart attack. It must be as if your whole world has fallen apart. I just can't comprehend how bad things must look over there now. I guess all I can do is say take heart: you do have friends and we'll be here. Easy to say from where I am, in relative safety I know, but it's all I personally can offer.

The best thing I can say about Trump is that he's almost 40 years older than Hitler was when Hitler was elected, so at least he'll die fairly soon. Not that that solves the problem of all the shitheads who voted for him.

Thank you for your support, it means a lot. <3

I'm doing all I can to disconnect from the internet, at least the big central sites and all news sources. I want to spend as much time as possible with my family and community now that everything is so dire out there. I'm not in the right state of mind to talk about anything practical or tangible right now, I'm finding solace in just not thinking about it and focusing on living in the moment.

I'm terrified, it just isn't fair. I'm staying safe, my husband and I are doing all we can to get plans rolling on seeing if we can leave the country and working out my medication situation in the event that adult HRT comes under fire. At least the election is over and we can make concrete plans without having that false hope to cling to.

Thank you again, my heart is with all women, LGBTQIA+ people, ethnic and religious minorities and true allies, none of us deserve this and I will never give up on living my life to the fullest I can and doing everything in my power to help others do the same.

For now, I just need to rest.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,

- Lexi F.

Project 2025 will kill all of the programs I rely on to survive, including Medicaid, SNAP benefits for food, increased prescription drug costs for the scripts that keep me alive, and increased annual taxes I cannot afford with my poverty-level income. I'm terrified and have been in a state of constant panic attack since last night.

I've stickied this (first time ever I think) because I want to keep it in our minds and hearts. I know people have contributed to this thread, and thanks for that, but I don't want it to become something you do, and then forget about. It can't be a "lip service" thread (no Lexi that is NOT what I mean: that's something ENTIRELY different!)  :laughing:

But seriously, there are people here for whom this is very very real, and I want this thread to be a place not only where we support them, but also where they can air their fears, keep us updated on how things go (hopefully not as bad as they fear) and maybe get some advice, or if not, at least support. I have no comprehension of the future @Lexi Darling , @innerspaceboy and @tristan_geoff are facing, and I want us to be, in as much as we can, there for them, in whatever way we can.

So guys, keep this thread at the top of your list, contribute often, and those mentioned above, and anyone else who feels they may be or will be affected, please use this as your safe space and a place to share your stories, or just cry on our shoulder. For my part, I can do virtually nothing, but anything I can do, I will, and I'm sure everyone here shares that sentiment.

Like the song says

"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll give you strength, I'll help you carry on."

what if I moved to Ireland , the homeland

I'm Irish ancestrally btw

Ooh, me too! I'm half Irish by marriage, and even if that doesn't count, with our last name I'm sure Aaron and I could smuggle ourselves over there and nobody would be any the wiser.  :-X

Quote from: tristan_geoff on Nov 08, 2024, 01:39 AMwhat if I moved to Ireland , the homeland

I'm Irish ancestrally btw

Won't make a difference unless your parent or grandparent is Irish. Irish as in actually born there. Then you can get citizenship.

Last time I checked I think there was a wait list through grandparents but it's automatic if its a parent.

You can both be my children and then you can live here.  ;)

Seriously, we have a pretty stringent asylum-seeking system, but that, so far as I'm aware, doesn't apply to Americans, nor does it mean you can't live/work here. Of course, why you'd want to come here is another matter, but as we say here you'd be cead mile failte.

Quote from: jimmy jazz on Nov 08, 2024, 01:48 AMWon't make a difference unless your parent or grandparent is Irish. Irish as in actually born there. Then you can get citizenship.

Last time I checked I think there was a wait list through grandparents but it's automatic if its a parent.

oh lmao no idea when my family came here I wouldn't be able to get in bc of that alone.  im not sure if I'm gonna move unless they start throwing us in camps i feel a duty to stand my ground and help others, shit's not gonna be without resistance yknow

Quote from: Trollheart on Nov 08, 2024, 04:20 AMYou can both be my children and then you can live here.  ;)

Seriously, we have a pretty stringent asylum-seeking system, but that, so far as I'm aware, doesn't apply to Americans, nor does it mean you can't live/work here. Of course, why you'd want to come here is another matter, but as we say here you'd be cead mile failte.

welcome mile permit.. ?

Quote from: tristan_geoff on Nov 08, 2024, 05:21 AMwelcome mile permit.. ?

No, it means a hundred thousand welcomes.
Cead (kay-id) is a hundred
Mile (meel-a) is a thousand
and failte (fawl-cha) is, um, I forget.
Oh yeah. welcomes.

:shycouch:

Isn't this all a bit melodramatic? Lol.  People say they're going to flee the country every time the wrong person gets elected.  I'm not saying I don't expect an eventful 4 years but I don't really see the sense in treating this as some kind of personal catastrophe where you are fleeing gestapo and internment camps just yet.  Assuming you're not an undocumented immigrant,  that is.

Quote from: tristan_geoff on Nov 08, 2024, 01:39 AMwhat if I moved to Ireland , the homeland

I'm Irish ancestrally btw

They don't like us bro. We are plastic paddies in their eyes.  That's why I support the British Empire instead.   

Quote from: Jwb on Nov 11, 2024, 09:37 PMIsn't this all a bit melodramatic? Lol.  People say they're going to flee the country every time the wrong person gets elected.  I'm not saying I don't expect an eventful 4 years but I don't really see the sense in treating this as some kind of personal catastrophe where you are fleeing gestapo and internment camps just yet.  Assuming you're not an undocumented immigrant,  that is.
 They don't like us bro. We are plastic paddies in their eyes.  That's why I support the British Empire instead. 

I mean it's kinda hard to read this and not sound at least a few alarm bells.
https://glaad.org/fact-sheet-trump-transgender/ (https://glaad.org/fact-sheet-trump-transgender/)
Trump will be going in with all three branches of government on his side, with Elon Musk, a very active participant in anti-trans rhetoric, involved in the govt as well. He's probably not going to try a federal all-ages HRT ban, but his "investigations" are threatening clinics that prescribe HRT, and if we can't get it by prescription we have to pay out of pocket, and not only is that impossibly expensive for the average trans person's income, testosterone is a controlled substance so trans men are fucked outright. Clinics in Florida, Texas and the UK have already begun stopping HRT prescriptions for adults. It's hard not to think that this will probably get worse and more widespread.

You're basically saying to not take Trump, Musk, Vance, Project 2025 and the literal billions of dollars they spent on ads that specifically attacked trans people at their word. And that's just the HRT thing, there's plenty of other devastating things that will come from their announced plans to attack legal recognition and protections for trans people. Plus the amount of violence against us on an individual level will most assuredly be emboldened.

Also re:immigrants, a govt official mentioned 'denaturalization' re: immigrants, which means that even immigrants who are legal citizens will be targets.

Like, I guess theoretically there's a chance that Trump completely drops all this or is otherwise unable to get any of it done, sure. I don't see how it's 'melodramatic' to be afraid and seek support, sympathy and refuge when people like me have spent the past 3 years of our online experience being disrespected, misgendered, called pedophiles, told to kill ourselves, having our rights and dignity being treated as disposable, as an 'issue', and a political entity emboldening all of that hateful, cruel and unusual treatment just being elected to US government office with barely any oppositional power left that would even be brave enough to advocate for us.

But each to their own of course.

Maybe I did speak too generally.  I can understand moving for the purposes of Healthcare if that were to come to pass. It's just I see a lot of catastrophizing happening not only in this thread but more generally on social media etc and I guess I just have an inclination to think some of that is really just unhelpful doom spiraling that isn't really helping anyone prepare for anything. But that doesn't apply across the board.

I think in fairness, unless you're in one of the groups that this will affect, it's not helpful (and perhaps a little hurtful) to say "don't worry" essentially. I'm well removed from it, and as a straight white male with just the one head currently, would not be a target anyway, but even I can see how terrifying this can be to those who are affected. Which is why I posted, and stickied, this thread. Of course you're entitled to your opinion, jwb, but honestly, to shrug and say "probably won't happen" or "you guys worry too much" is, I think, not to take seriously the way people like Lexi and others must be feeling right now, an uncertain future ahead of them and a very dark cloud moving with rather too much rapidity towards them. If it doesn't happen, or isn't as bad as we think it will be, great. I'm sure they'll be the first to say thank god or your favourite deity or lack of one. But until it doesn't, I think we owe them all the support, understanding and sympathy we can give.

I'm sorry but that's nonsense.  The leader of the free world does affect you even as a straight white male and even in Ireland.  I'm not saying don't worry. The two options are not either ignore it or catastrophize it to the point of a personal crisis.  There's a range of possibilities for what Trump's 2nd term might look like,  and it's best to be clear eyed about what they are and perhaps prepare for the worst but not just assume it as the default.  I think that leads to certain conclusions when you start to think that way.  And a time when the boundaries are being tested is the most important time not to let yourself run away with certain narratives.

I guess there's nothing in principle wrong with a Trump victory support group thread but it's laying it on a little thick imo lol. Why you so sympathetic to Lexi that you had to make a thread personally apologizing to her for Trump's win and yet you're gonna tell me I'm "not in the groups affected" by who becomes president. Seems pretty insensitive for the leader of the support group to say.

Quote from: Jwb on Nov 12, 2024, 03:59 AMI'm sorry but that's nonsense.  The leader of the free world does affect you even as a straight white male and even in Ireland.  I'm not saying don't worry. The two options are not either ignore it or catastrophize it to the point of a personal crisis.  There's a range of possibilities for what Trump's 2nd term might look like,  and it's best to be clear eyed about what they are and perhaps prepare for the worst but not just assume it as the default.  I think that leads to certain conclusions when you start to think that way.  And a time when the boundaries are being tested is the most important time not to let yourself run away with certain narratives.

I guess there's nothing in principle wrong with a Trump victory support group thread but it's laying it on a little thick imo lol. Why you so sympathetic to Lexi that you had to make a thread personally apologizing to her for Trump's win and yet you're gonna tell me I'm "not in the groups affected" by who becomes president. Seems pretty insensitive for the leader of the support group to say.

It's easy to have your non caring it's not gonna be that bad attitude when you aren't in any of the groups with a bullseye on their back. You pretty much came into a support thread to be unsupportive and make fun of the general idea of having a support thread. Why did you feel the need to post in this thread in the first place?

Because it's hard for me not to make fun of a thread like this.

Quote from: Jwb on Nov 12, 2024, 03:59 AMI'm sorry but that's nonsense.  The leader of the free world does affect you even as a straight white male and even in Ireland.  I'm not saying don't worry. The two options are not either ignore it or catastrophize it to the point of a personal crisis.  There's a range of possibilities for what Trump's 2nd term might look like,  and it's best to be clear eyed about what they are and perhaps prepare for the worst but not just assume it as the default.  I think that leads to certain conclusions when you start to think that way.  And a time when the boundaries are being tested is the most important time not to let yourself run away with certain narratives.

I guess there's nothing in principle wrong with a Trump victory support group thread but it's laying it on a little thick imo lol. Why you so sympathetic to Lexi that you had to make a thread personally apologizing to her for Trump's win and yet you're gonna tell me I'm "not in the groups affected" by who becomes president. Seems pretty insensitive for the leader of the support group to say.

I have to say that's an odd question and I don't understand it. The thread is to support ALL people who will be/may be affected. I won't. Despite what you say, I'm 3000 miles away and while, yes, his policies with regard to trade, war etc will impact us all, nobody is going to be metaphorically knocking on my door to take me away. I started the thread when I saw how upset and scared Lexi - and others like her - were after the victory. I don't see any reason why I should not have, and I don't get your contention that I'm being insensitive by admitting it won't affect me. What: should I lie and say it will, pretend I'm as at risk as her and people like her? Or, conversely, should I walk away and say "nothing to do with me?" or "I'll allright Jack?" Well I won't. Lexi's my friend, and I think everyone here loves her and shares her fears for her future, so this thread will remain, and hopefully grow, despite your rather callous contention that there's no need for it. Sorry not sorry.

Ok,  I didn't say you couldn't have your thread.  I just called it melodramatic.  Which I do think it is.  And there are specific posts I'd highlight that weren't even from Lexi that really prompted that response.  I wasn't initially even referring to her,  but since you want to hash it out,  I do specifically find it kind of funny that you dedicated the thread to a specific user,  and I also think she's fairly self indulgent in entertaining that kind of thing but that's really nothing new.  But Tristan's posts were really the catastrophizing kind of thing i was referring to though I wasn't trying to single him out.  Either way this entire support group enterprise just reminds me of leftists and liberals crying into their phones and I have a predictable knee jerk reaction to these kinds of displays.  I'm a product of my environment. What do you want from me?

Also lol at sorry not sorry. Didn't realize I was debating a middle aged white woman on Twitter.

I'll have you know, I passed middle age some time ago!

Oh, and not a woman. And never used Twitter in my life.  :laughing:

I don't want anything from you, except to ask you not to come into a thread which is created for a specific purpose and start querying or even ridiculing that purpose. With your attitude here, JWB, this is one thread you won't be welcome in, so do us all a favour and go post in a thread where your usual intelligent political discourse will be more valued. It's not needed here.

I get it: you don't agree with the thread. Nobody's making you agree, or says you have to. But have a bit of simple human decency and don't make fun of it yeah? Plenty of other threads you can laugh at - pick any of mine, there's no shortage.

I mean being completely honest I didn't think I deserved to be singled out either, which is why I dedicated my post to other targeted groups as well. I didn't think it was worth it to bother TH about the thread title. And yes, I did appreciate his words of sympathy and kindness.

It feels like you calling it a "leftist and liberal" thing comes off as very dismissive; the stuff we're afraid of and sympathizing with each other over is not a an issue of political stance, it's a human rights issue, and I think saying things like that just feels needlessly divisive to me. I appreciated having the practical talk with you about the level of danger and I think that's worth talking about, but it seems to me like this discussion is devolving into a lot of unproductive talk right now.

Well let's be clear.  "The things we're worried about" should not be conflated. There's a difference between worrying about losing your healthcare vs talking about people being rounded up into camps and contemplating the necessity to join the "resistance." Which one was I more referring to with my initial post? I think that's clear.

I tried to make it even more clear in my first response to Lexi,  but TH still decided to take the angle that I'm just a white guy who "won't be affected" by these things while people are simultaneously speaking about Trump's 2nd term as if it's the coming of the 4th Reich.  You really can't have it both ways.  It's an utterly incoherent virtue signal on your part. That's what I was poking fun of in that bolded section you cited which you apparently took as a serious question. Similar to me saying what do you want from me? That was just a rhetorical question.

You see, for some reason, jwb, you tend to want to or have to see political motivation in everything. It's really quite simple, and I know you know it is, and are just having fun by being the "batlord" to by thread, but as Sherlock Holmes often said, it won't do. Here's the situation in bullet (sorry) points, as I see it.

Trump coming to power scares and pisses me off, but in the most basic way it won't affect me, unless he declares war on Ireland or something. Yes, the political ramifications of what he does or may do will have an affect on me, but no more than any other Irish or European person.

Lexi is my friend, or I like to think she is anyway. She was and is scared about how these next four years are going to aversely affect her life.

I wanted to support her, but more if possible than with a "there there it'll be all right" post. I wanted to set this up as a practical resource which, in the next year or so, can be used by her and others to perhaps get advice, if anyone has any, or if not, then a place she and others can air their fears and tell their stories (good or bad) and where, if nothing else, she and others can come to get support, know that people care about her, or them.

I didn't set it up to make any political point. It's a simple common human decency thing called compassion.

You can see it as "virute signalling" or even smoke signalling if you want, I don't care. I'm not out to be seen as anything other than someone who is worried about his friends and wants to do any small thing he can to help.

I said I wouldn't be affected (and I've said this already) because of whom I am and where I am. That's not a boast, or an "I'm all right Jack" thing, it's just the truth, and acknowledges that I don't have a clue how she or anyone else feels about this coming term.

Lexi, I put your name on it because you were the one so upset that day, you've been the one who has been the most vocal about your concerns, and I thought it would help. I'm not so au fait with the vulnerabilities of others here, but I did include any others affected, so that it would NOT look like you were being singled out (Poor Lexi, let's help her) so I guess you could see yourself as maybe the poster girl for the thread, but not the only one. If you want your name removed from the thread title I'm happy to do that. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable or being used as anything or to make any point, which was never my intention.

That's it. I'm done explaining. The thread is being pulled off course like a Texan in a pickup chasing the Biden campaign bus. I want to draw a line under it now. If you don't agree with the thread, just don't post in it. Like I said, there are plenty of others to post in, and plenty of other ways you can get on my tits.

Hopefully it won't be as bad as we think it may be, but that doesn't mean people who may be affected don't worry. That's just the reality. So can we leave all the theorising and playing it down until we know what actually does happen? I'd be delighted if it all turned out to be the usual Trump hysteria and hyperbole, but once he has his arse in that chair, who knows what his orders may be? You can say I told you so 100 days into his presidency, if it comes to that. For now, do us all a favour and just drop it. Nobody needs your "it's not so bad" and "it won't happen here" mentality. Nobody can see the future: pray for the best but expect the worst, especially with His Orangeness in the White House.

having a point but being a bit of a dick about it: the jwb classic ;)

Quote from: Trollheart on Nov 12, 2024, 10:31 PMLexi, I put your name on it because you were the one so upset that day, you've been the one who has been the most vocal about your concerns, and I thought it would help. I'm not so au fait with the vulnerabilities of others here, but I did include any others affected, so that it would NOT look like you were being singled out (Poor Lexi, let's help her) so I guess you could see yourself as maybe the poster girl for the thread, but not the only one. If you want your name removed from the thread title I'm happy to do that. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable or being used as anything or to make any point, which was never my intention.

Oh no, I didn't feel uncomfortable, it's totally fine and I appreciate it. I am the most visible, vocally trans person on here so I absolutely understand and appreciate the sentiment. My only thought was whether drawing focus to me would make anyone else who is also threatened by Trump 2 feel left out. If everyone else is fine with it, no need to change. Thank you for all your support, and I absolutely consider you a friend. <3

My sympathy goes out to Lexi, Tristan, Jans', ISB and really everyone of you who fear that life will be harder with Trump as president.

I got unintentionally pranked by my wife just after the election and Trump's obvious win. I had overslept, so my wife asked the Google assistant to play an alarm in the basement guest room where I was sleeping. Google chooses an air siren, so I wake up and it's still dark as it's like 6:30 in the morning. I'm like.. Why the hell is the air raid siren going off? They sometimes have rehearsals, but not before the sun comes up in the morning. We share a border with Russia, so in my fogginess I was wondering if we were getting invaded by the russkis until I opened the window and finally realised the sound came from inside the house. It was a little unsettling.

This may also sound melodramatic, but I hope the coming years in the US won't be like Iran's revolution in the 70s where decades from now, people think wistfully of a time in the US when people were allowed to do things like have reasonable abortions and express their gender indentities.

I don't think it's that bad, more like a temporary backlash / response to some of the liberal winds that have been blowing for a while. I hope that's all it is.. and that things will have turned around by the next election.

And if any of you want to come here, we'll take you in ❤️

Quote from: Jwb on Nov 12, 2024, 07:08 PMWell let's be clear.  "The things we're worried about" should not be conflated. There's a difference between worrying about losing your healthcare vs talking about people being rounded up into camps and contemplating the necessity to join the "resistance." Which one was I more referring to with my initial post? I think that's clear.

I tried to make it even more clear in my first response to Lexi,  but TH still decided to take the angle that I'm just a white guy who "won't be affected" by these things while people are simultaneously speaking about Trump's 2nd term as if it's the coming of the 4th Reich.  You really can't have it both ways.  It's an utterly incoherent virtue signal on your part. That's what I was poking fun of in that bolded section you cited which you apparently took as a serious question. Similar to me saying what do you want from me? That was just a rhetorical question.

Well, trans people are at a much higher risk of being hurt by the Trump Administration right now. I think the sentiment is correct.

 

Quote from: Trollheart on Nov 12, 2024, 10:31 PMYou see, for some reason, jwb, you tend to want to or have to see political motivation in everything. It's really quite simple, and I know you know it is, and are just having fun by being the "batlord" to by thread, but as Sherlock Holmes often said, it won't do. Here's the situation in bullet (sorry) points, as I see it.

Trump coming to power scares and pisses me off, but in the most basic way it won't affect me, unless he declares war on Ireland or something. Yes, the political ramifications of what he does or may do will have an affect on me, but no more than any other Irish or European person.

Lexi is my friend, or I like to think she is anyway. She was and is scared about how these next four years are going to aversely affect her life.

I wanted to support her, but more if possible than with a "there there it'll be all right" post. I wanted to set this up as a practical resource which, in the next year or so, can be used by her and others to perhaps get advice, if anyone has any, or if not, then a place she and others can air their fears and tell their stories (good or bad) and where, if nothing else, she and others can come to get support, know that people care about her, or them.

I didn't set it up to make any political point. It's a simple common human decency thing called compassion.

You can see it as "virute signalling" or even smoke signalling if you want, I don't care. I'm not out to be seen as anything other than someone who is worried about his friends and wants to do any small thing he can to help.

I said I wouldn't be affected (and I've said this already) because of whom I am and where I am. That's not a boast, or an "I'm all right Jack" thing, it's just the truth, and acknowledges that I don't have a clue how she or anyone else feels about this coming term.

Lexi, I put your name on it because you were the one so upset that day, you've been the one who has been the most vocal about your concerns, and I thought it would help. I'm not so au fait with the vulnerabilities of others here, but I did include any others affected, so that it would NOT look like you were being singled out (Poor Lexi, let's help her) so I guess you could see yourself as maybe the poster girl for the thread, but not the only one. If you want your name removed from the thread title I'm happy to do that. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable or being used as anything or to make any point, which was never my intention.

That's it. I'm done explaining. The thread is being pulled off course like a Texan in a pickup chasing the Biden campaign bus. I want to draw a line under it now. If you don't agree with the thread, just don't post in it. Like I said, there are plenty of others to post in, and plenty of other ways you can get on my tits.

Hopefully it won't be as bad as we think it may be, but that doesn't mean people who may be affected don't worry. That's just the reality. So can we leave all the theorising and playing it down until we know what actually does happen? I'd be delighted if it all turned out to be the usual Trump hysteria and hyperbole, but once he has his arse in that chair, who knows what his orders may be? You can say I told you so 100 days into his presidency, if it comes to that. For now, do us all a favour and just drop it. Nobody needs your "it's not so bad" and "it won't happen here" mentality. Nobody can see the future: pray for the best but expect the worst, especially with His Orangeness in the White House.

You helped me derail it. By the time you responded to me,  I had already said to Lexi that I understand her concerns and that maybe I spoke too generally but that I see people catastrophizing to an extent that i find counterproductive.  She seemed to accept that explanation, but you felt slighted by my remarks so you had to get your 2 cents in,  and now here we are. 

And no,  I won't keep it to myself. Next time,  don't respond to me if the goal is to have me not respond back. I don't see how every and any concern is welcome except the one I posted. 

That's your problem isnt it? You don't see. It's a SUPPORT thread, not a thread where you decide and debate and argue whether support is needed or not. It's black and white, for once. If you post here, you do so to support the people affected. If you don't support them, or think they don't need support or are being snowflakes, or whatever you think, then don't post. Simple as.

I get it.  It's a thread for you to be melodramatic,  not a thread for me to point that out or poke fun at it.  But I wanted to anyway.  This is what happens when you have a standard set in place that is sort of just a loose norm based on honor and decency rather than a hard rule that is backed up by force.  I'm sure you can find some useful  parallels there to the situation in Trump's America there.

But either way.  I had 2 cents I wanted to put out there that ultimately derailed  the thread.  I'll accept that.  But you absolutely were my right hand man in doing so. You get the assist whether you want it or not. 

Good evening everyone. I would like to share a little personal update on matters related to this thread's topic.

I had a very productive session with my therapist the other day, and while I won't say I'm hopeful regarding the impending Trump administration, I feel like I have found a plan that is helping me deal with the constant looming threat.

I wanted to try to play it safe; I had plans to move toward being more stealth about my trans identity, but I realized that I would just have been running away. I have been out as trans for 20 years; I have a comfortable life and a happy marriage. By society's metrics I'm a transgender success story. I feel like I'm in a position where me living openly and loudly trans can hopefully inspire others in my community, and I don't mean to come off like I'm gassing myself up. I just want to use the knowledge and experience and resources I have to be there for my community, both trans people and allies.

I want to radiate positivity and joie de vivre, to be a force for doing good in my community, and to make that my primary focus rather than legitimizing powerful transphobic bigots by engaging with their talking points on their turf, playing by their rules. I'm going to focus on lifting up my community, rather than hiding from my oppressors or trying in vain to get them to see reason. I only have one life to live, and I refuse to spend any more of it letting their hate affect my life. Living well is the best revenge.

As always I am so very thankful for your support and kindness.

- Lexi

A perfect response to bigoted hatred, Lexi, and I'm sure all your friends will support you. You be the poster girl for Trans People are People Too - hold on, something's coming to me. Let me see... Trans Are People Don't Agitate Never Cede to Evil = TAPDANCE.

Meh, I'll work on it. Point is, kudos to you for your attitude. Be trans, be proud, be you.

Wow, very well put, @Lexi Darling 🙂 I love your determination and renewed focus! I hope it gives you some sense of purpose.. something to lift your spirit in these politically dark times.

You're a wonderful person 🙂 I'm so happy you're here and part of my life.

I'm thinking maybe

Trans
Are
People
Deny
Aggression
Never
Capitulate
to
Extremism

Maybe.

Quote from: Trollheart on Nov 23, 2024, 04:07 AMI'm thinking maybe

Trans
Are
People
Deny
Aggression
Never
Capitulate
to
Extremism

Maybe.

what are you talking about

Quote from: tristan_geoff on Nov 23, 2024, 05:05 AMwhat are you talking about

Something about Tap Dancing but idk

Quote from: tristan_geoff on Nov 23, 2024, 05:05 AMwhat are you talking about

Following on from a suggestion I made for an acronym.

I really don't want to doomsay about this stuff anymore but I just want to put this here and make it clear exactly what we are up against.

(spoiler for anti trans rhetoric and violence)

Spoiler

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-trans-health-care-republicans-democrats-1235198473/ (https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-trans-health-care-republicans-democrats-1235198473/)

It was never about kids. It was never about sports. It was never about bathrooms. This is what the people who started this hate campaign against us have been working toward the entire time.

For nearly three years I've been constantly told I was overreacting, or that they wouldn't go after adults, or to not call it a genocide, etc.

I just need to know I have some solidarity, that I'm not crazy, that this shit is something to take seriously, and that we can call it what it is, a cruel, unusual targeted act of mass violence with the aim of destroying trans people entirely.

I'm scared, you guys. I'm so fucking scared.

[close]

Yeah, unfortunately, quite honestly, it makes bleak reading. @Jwb can laugh about it and trivialise it all he wants, but it does not look good, and with both the House and Senate red, I can't see how Trump doesn't just get anything and everything he wants passed through, a virtual rubberstamp. Democrats may protest "But... but ... but...!" However in the end, they're going to have little to no power to block him. It sounds horrible, and if you have plans, serious plans, to emigrate then I would see no reason not to speed them up. People may laugh at the idea of a Transpocalypse, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to see it coming, and while it might hurt to see your friends subjected to that, it would be far better for you to be observing it from a safe distance.

Perhaps others will have different opinions? That's all I can say from where I stand. All I know is, if I were living there and in your position, I would not be looking forward to at least another four years under the incoming administration. My advice, stark as it may be, get out while you can. Have you spoken to your doctors? What do they think? They must be preparing for this. Surely they can advise you?

Quote from: Trollheart on Dec 11, 2024, 01:59 AMYeah, unfortunately, quite honestly, it makes bleak reading. @Jwb can laugh about it and trivialise it all he wants, but it does not look good, and with both the House and Senate red, I can't see how Trump doesn't just get anything and everything he wants passed through, a virtual rubberstamp. Democrats may protest "But... but ... but...!" However in the end, they're going to have little to no power to block him. It sounds horrible, and if you have plans, serious plans, to emigrate then I would see no reason not to speed them up. People may laugh at the idea of a Transpocalypse, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to see it coming, and while it might hurt to see your friends subjected to that, it would be far better for you to be observing it from a safe distance.

Perhaps others will have different opinions? That's all I can say from where I stand. All I know is, if I were living there and in your position, I would not be looking forward to at least another four years under the incoming administration. My advice, stark as it may be, get out while you can. Have you spoken to your doctors? What do they think? They must be preparing for this. Surely they can advise you?

I appreciate the support. <3

I will say, I didn't and don't want my post to come off as singling out JWB, I'm talking about an internet-wide sentiment (and IRL too really) and for the record I accepted and appreciated his acknowledgement of the medical threat.

I have an appointment scheduled with my endocrinologist for mid-January that will be my official consultation for bottom surgery, but it is a good idea to send a message about it in the meantime and really press her on it; she's said that she and other people in the clinic I get my HRT from all are very against acquiescence to these potential draconian laws so I really want to be frank about this. Thank you for the advice.

Yes I do understand what you say about JWB. The reason I "singled him out" is that he was the only one in this thread that made light of the possible problems coming down the line. I'm just pointing out that he, or anyone like him, essentially saying "don't worry about it" or "it's not going to be as bad as you think it is" or whatever other way they're minimising the possible risk to you here and trivialising your concerns, should think again and perhaps not be so flippant.

I'm glad you're consulting with your doctor, and glad too that they're prepared to fight the laws, if they're enacted. However, as the article you linked points out, in the long run if it's between going against the new government and maintaining their funding, they are more than likely to go for the latter. After all, they have to continue to provide a service and make a living, and may end up espousing Spock's mantra of the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few.

Not meaning to sound unsupportive or anything, but I just wouldn't rely on them standing up to the govt. Good intentions are all very well, but they don't pay the bills, and the reality is that they'll do what they have to do to remain in business.

Quote from: Trollheart on Dec 11, 2024, 03:43 AMYes I do understand what you say about JWB. The reason I "singled him out" is that he was the only one in this thread that made light of the possible problems coming down the line. I'm just pointing out that he, or anyone like him, essentially saying "don't worry about it" or "it's not going to be as bad as you think it is" or whatever other way they're minimising the possible risk to you here and trivialising your concerns, should think again and perhaps not be so flippant.

I'm glad you're consulting with your doctor, and glad too that they're prepared to fight the laws, if they're enacted. However, as the article you linked points out, in the long run if it's between going against the new government and maintaining their funding, they are more than likely to go for the latter. After all, they have to continue to provide a service and make a living, and may end up espousing Spock's mantra of the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few.

Not meaning to sound unsupportive or anything, but I just wouldn't rely on them standing up to the govt. Good intentions are all very well, but they don't pay the bills, and the reality is that they'll do what they have to do to remain in business.

Yeah, for sure. I was kinda subtly referring to something my doctor said to me previously where she brought up her/the clinic assisting trans people in a more 'under the table' way. What that could entail remains to be seen of course and I know it's nothing I can truly bank on.

Yes I got your meaning, and I applaud them for their attitude. However as I say, that will work until it doesn't. The sad truth is that I could see the Trump administration paying people to report such "breaches", or even having people installed at clinics (some sort of state Obergruppenfuhrer/monitor) and if that happens, no matter how sympathetic they are, no clinic or medical practice is going to risk being shut down, even having criminal charges brought against them, for the sake of yourself and people like you. Very sadly, I could even see agitator scum picketing their houses, threatening their families, you know how far these cunts have gone before, and will do again, especially with tacit approval from the government.

So yes, while they may do an "under the table" deal for trans people, that will in all likelihood be short-lived, and as soon as they're reported, or feel someone is watchng them, are accused or slapped with a "cease and desist" or whatever fucking way Trump and his cabinet of bigots are going to do it, they will of necessity have to stop, or face the consequences. I just wouldn't rely on it, is all. Only person you can rely on is you and your hubby, and probably any sympathetic friends or friends in the same situation. Everyone else, horribly, is going to be someone you look at and wonder if you can trust them. That's the kind of atmosphere that is going to prevail from 2025 in America, I'm afraid, and likening it to Nazi Germany, Romania under Ceascescu, Iraq under Saddam Hussein or North Korea, or choose your favourite dictatorship, is unfortunately not going to be stretching it that far.

Saw this on the news today. Not sure if it affects any of your decisions, if it is the first step along a darker road the UK are treading, or even if I'm reading it right, but thought you might like to see it.

 UK bans puberty blockers for children  (https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2024/1211/1485904-puberty-blockers/)

Quote from: Trollheart on Dec 11, 2024, 07:36 PMSaw this on the news today. Not sure if it affects any of your decisions, if it is the first step along a darker road the UK are treading, or even if I'm reading it right, but thought you might like to see it.

 UK bans puberty blockers for children  (https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2024/1211/1485904-puberty-blockers/)

Yeah I heard about that. It's so heartbreaking, speaking as someone who discovered myself at age 15. My heart bleeds for all the trans kids whose life trajectories have been stolen from them. These politicians just love crushing the spark in children's eyes and setting them up for years of dysphoric misery. So absolutely vile.

And meanwhile in America, it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to endure the weight of knowing that such hideous and cruel assaults on human rights and human dignity are being perpetrated by a state government like it's fucking normal. This is what republicans want nationwide, for all of us.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/12/10/new-florida-prison-policy-on-trans-health-care-like-conversion-therapy (https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/12/10/new-florida-prison-policy-on-trans-health-care-like-conversion-therapy)

It's fucking horrible, it's inhumane, but then again it's Florida. Unfortuantely, where Florida goes, others will follow, and this can only get worse. I honestly feel that Republicans (and sadly a lot of ordinary Americans too) would have no problem if all transgender people just died. It really is looking like the notes of alarm sounded during the presidential campaign are growing to a crescendo now, and will end up blaring out a klaxon of doom for trans people. Sorry, that's very flowery metaphor, not what you need right now. But the point is that anyone who said not to worry, it really looks like it's time to worry. And if this is slowly edging its way across the pond, I can only feel for all the trans people in Europe and the UK when it gets, probably not as bad as the US, but still reaches its dark feelers into our society. It's the equivalent of those so-called Christian camps, isn't it, where they claim they will "cure" you from being gay. Detestable.

Here's a legal analysis of the recent SCOTUS oral argument US v. Skrmetti, on the Tennessee gender dysphoria law. I have to copy and paste the entire piece because it's from the free version of Adam Feldman's Legalytics blog on Substack and I don't have a workable link. Not to be confused with the London firm called Legalytics.
Consensus from oral is that the Justices are leaning toward upholding the Tennessee law. A decision is not expected before June.

Overview

Case description: This case concerns a Tennessee law that bans medical treatments for gender dysphoria in transgender adolescents, prohibiting them based on the minor's sex and gender identity. The law has been challenged on the grounds that it discriminates based on sex and transgender status, and its validity is contested amid a wave of similar bans in other states, creating legal uncertainty for transgender adolescents and their families.

Question before the Court: Whether Tennessee Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which categorically prohibits all medical treatments intended to allow "a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor's sex" or to treat "purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minor's sex and asserted identity," Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-33-103(a)(1), violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Takeaways from Oral Argument

Attorneys

CHASE B. STRANGIO: Respondents supporting Petitioner [against TN law]

SB1's Sex-Based Discrimination: SB1 discriminates based on sex by banning medical treatments that enable adolescents to live in a manner inconsistent with their birth sex. This sex-based classification requires heightened scrutiny, as the law denies treatments that have previously alleviated suffering for transgender adolescents.
Lack of Justification for the Ban: Tennessee has not provided sufficient evidence to justify SB1's categorical ban on medically recommended treatments like puberty blockers, which have been shown to improve mental health outcomes and have low regret rates. The state's reliance on outdated studies and misleading data fails to meet the burden of proof required under heightened scrutiny.
Judicial Oversight of Suspect Classifications: Courts play a critical role in evaluating laws targeting suspect classifications. SB1 bypasses standard regulatory measures like informed consent, undermining parental and medical judgment without adequately addressing any demonstrated harm, as confirmed by the district court.
ELIZABETH B. PRELOGAR: Petitioner [against TN law]

Life-Saving Medical Necessity: Prelogar emphasizes that access to gender-affirming medications, obtained through a careful consultation process involving doctors and parents, is critical for the well-being and mental health of transgender adolescents. As an example, she explains how Ryan's ability to receive these treatments has been life-saving, enabling him to thrive.
Harm Caused by the Law: The Tennessee law banning these medications categorically denies transgender adolescents like Ryan access to necessary medical care. Prelogar argues that this law directly harms their health and well-being, contradicting the State's claim of protecting adolescent health.
Sex-Based Discrimination and Legal Standards: Prelogar contends that the law discriminates against individuals based on their birth sex, creating a sex-based classification that fails to meet even the low threshold of rational basis review under constitutional scrutiny. She argues that the State's actions are unjustifiable on these legal grounds.
J. MATTHEW RICE: Respondent [supporting TN law]

Medical Purpose, Not Sex Discrimination: The law distinguishes medical treatments based on their purpose, not the patient's sex. Rice argues that using drugs like hormones and puberty blockers for treating medical conditions is different from using them for psychological distress associated with transitioning, and this distinction does not constitute sex-based discrimination.
Legislative Authority and Medical Uncertainty: Rice emphasizes that the law reflects the views of democratically elected lawmakers who, unlike judges, are best suited to assess the evolving medical issues surrounding treatments for minors. They argue that the law takes into account the uncertainty and irreversible consequences of certain medical interventions, with evidence from other countries and states showing caution around these treatments.
Fundamentally Different Medical Treatments: Rice argues that the law treats different medical treatments differently. They distinguish between using puberty blockers for conditions like precocious puberty versus using them for gender transitions. Rice contends that these are not the same treatments, as they affect the body differently and are used for different medical purposes.
Justices' Interests

Alito

Medical Evidence on Gender-Affirming Treatment: Alito questions the evidence supporting the benefits of gender-affirming treatments, particularly puberty blockers and hormones, for transgender minors. They challenge the claim that these treatments significantly improve the physical and psychological well-being of adolescents, citing reports from Sweden and the UK that express concerns over the risks outweighing the benefits. Alito also references a lack of high-quality evidence from the UK's Cass report.
Equal Protection and Legal Precedents: Alito questions the application of the Equal Protection Clause and references legal precedents like Bostock, Geduldig, and Dobbs to challenge the argument that discrimination based on transgender status is equivalent to sex-based discrimination. They ask whether gender-affirming treatments are subject to equal protection standards or whether the decision should be based on medical and procedural concerns that differ by sex.
Classification of Transgender Status: Alito explores whether transgender status should be considered a quasi-suspect classification, questioning the immutability of transgender identity. They challenge whether the fluidity of gender identity should affect its classification under the law, comparing it to other classifications like disability (schizophrenia), which are not considered suspect or quasi-suspect under legal standards.
Barrett

Discriminatory Intent and Equal Burden: Barrett explores whether laws prohibiting access to gender-affirming medications or procedures could be viewed as intentional discrimination, particularly focusing on how such laws treat boys and girls equally (by denying both access to these drugs) and the potential for stereotyping based on biological sex and gender norms. This question connects to whether this constitutes discriminatory intent under the Equal Protection Clause.
Transgender Status as a Suspect Class: Barrett delves into the issue of whether transgender people should be classified as a suspect class under the Equal Protection Clause, specifically questioning the lack of a historical record of de jure discrimination against transgender people. Barrett compares this potential categorization to other suspect classes like race or gender, which have clear histories of de jure discrimination.
Parental Rights and the Impact on Other Legal Claims: Barrett asks about the separation of the current case's resolution from parental rights claims, specifically if a decision regarding gender-affirming care would affect parents' substantive due process rights to make decisions for their children, implying that such a decision might not impact future claims regarding parental rights.
Jackson

Classification and Scrutiny: Jackson highlights the central issue of how the statute is being characterized—whether it is a sex-based classification or one based on age and purpose. She suggests that both classifications could be in play, and the key question for equal protection analysis is whether the statute draws a sex-based line, which would trigger heightened scrutiny in evaluating its constitutionality.
Comparison to Loving v. Virginia: Jackson draws a parallel between this case and Loving v. Virginia, where racial classifications in marriage laws were scrutinized. She expresses concern about whether the Court is properly applying equal protection principles, noting that in Loving, the Court recognized that a law could still be discriminatory even if it applied to both races. Jackson is concerned that the Court might allow legislative classifications based on sex to be justified without fully considering whether the law discriminates.
Medical Purpose and Biological Sex: Jackson further discusses the statute's distinction based on biological sex in the context of medical treatments. She examines hypothetical situations where a person's medical need (e.g., hormone treatment for voice deepening) might be affected by their sex, and she questions whether the law's restriction on certain treatments, based on sex, constitutes a sex-based classification under the Equal Protection Clause. She challenges the notion that a law could differentiate between treatment purposes when the effect on the body might be similar, and stresses the importance of applying heightened scrutiny to such laws.
Kagan

Sex-Based Classification vs. Transgender Status: Kagan questions whether the law should be viewed as a sex-based classification or one that discriminates against transgender individuals, suggesting that the law targets transgender status, which is intertwined with sex.
Underinclusion and Heightened Scrutiny: She discusses how the law's differential treatment of transgender minors (compared to cisgender minors) likely violates heightened scrutiny standards, particularly since no sufficient medical evidence has been provided to justify such underinclusion.
Encouragement of Gender Conformity: Kagan critiques the law's purpose of encouraging gender conformity, arguing that it reflects a negative view of gender non-conformity, particularly targeting transgender youth and suggesting that they are "wrong" for transitioning.
Kavanaugh

Role of the Court and Democratic Process: Kavanaugh emphasizes that the Constitution doesn't take sides in policy debates, such as the decision to allow medical treatments for transgender minors. He questions whether it is best for the Court to step in, given that there are strong arguments on both sides and suggests that this might be better left to the democratic process, where states can make their own policy decisions.
Balancing Risks and Benefits: Kavanaugh acknowledges that both sides of the debate present risks: some minors will suffer if they can't access treatments, while others may regret undergoing treatments and want to detransition. He suggests that the Court must weigh these risks, which is a difficult policy decision. He asks why it is the Court's role to make this decision when it seems like a choice better suited for policymakers.
Impact on Transgender Participation in Women's Sports: Kavanaugh raises concerns about how intermediate scrutiny could affect the issue of transgender athletes in women's sports. He questions whether it is possible to apply intermediate scrutiny to cases involving transgender rights while allowing laws that restrict transgender athletes in women's sports. This brings attention to potential broader constitutional implications, particularly related to fairness in competitive sports.
Roberts

Legislative Deference: Justice Roberts suggests that the issues involved, particularly medical and evolving standards, may be better addressed by legislative bodies rather than the Court. He emphasizes that courts may not be well-suited to make decisions on complex medical matters, such as those involving predictive judgments and the effects of medical treatments, which are more appropriate for legislative determination.
Medical Expertise vs. Legal Judgment: Roberts distinguishes the case from past rulings (like Morales-Santana and Craig v. Boren), noting that those cases involved more straightforward issues like gender distinctions or drinking age laws, which did not heavily involve medical considerations. He points out that the current case involves medical expertise, making it more complex and better suited for legislative deliberation.
Constitutional Allocation of Authority: Roberts raises concerns about the Court stepping into an evolving medical issue where expertise is lacking, highlighting that the Constitution typically leaves such decisions to the elected representatives of the people, not to the judiciary. He cautions against judicial intervention in areas where the situation is dynamic and not yet fully understood.
Sotomayor

Gender Differences and Medical Needs: Justice Sotomayor emphasizes that there are inherent differences between sexes, and that intermediate scrutiny should be applied to ensure that laws are not based on instinctual or prejudiced judgments. She argues that there are children who suffer significantly from gender dysphoria and need medical treatment, and that the purpose of heightened scrutiny is to protect vulnerable groups from unnecessary harm when medical treatments are involved.
Judicial Review of Medical Decisions: Sotomayor challenges the idea that courts are not suited to address complex medical issues, pointing out that the court has the fundamental role of ensuring that any legislation or government action, especially regarding medical treatments, meets constitutional standards. She also questions whether policymakers should be allowed to make decisions on the lives of individuals without proper review, particularly when the consequences of those decisions can have severe effects on a small and vulnerable population.
Sex-Based Distinctions in Medical Treatment: Justice Sotomayor raises concerns about the sex-based distinctions in the medical treatments, pointing out that if a medical condition is the same (such as unwanted hair or breasts), there should not be different access to treatment based solely on sex. She suggests that such distinctions are rooted in sex-based differences and should be subject to scrutiny to avoid discrimination.
Thomas

Age Classification vs. a Ban: Justice Thomas challenges the argument that the case is about a complete ban on medical treatments. Instead, he frames it as an issue of age classification, questioning why the case is framed as a ban when it is focused on minors, and whether the restriction is more about the age of the individual rather than an outright prohibition.
Sex-Based Differences in Medical Treatment: Thomas questions whether there is a physiological difference in the way testosterone and estrogen affect males and females, suggesting that there might be significant differences in how these hormones are processed depending on sex. He emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences in the context of medical treatments.
Equal Protection and Remedy: Justice Thomas probes the remedy being sought in this case, asking whether the petitioner is seeking different treatment based on sex. He compares the case to other equal protection cases, like Boren, in which different groups received different benefits, questioning what remedy would arise in this case based on sex-based distinctions in medical treatment.
Gorsuch: Did not speak

Lower Court's Decision

The court reversed the preliminary injunctions that had been issued by the lower courts and remanded the cases for further proceedings. The injunctions had blocked the enforcement of laws in Tennessee and Kentucky that restricted gender-affirming treatments for minors. The court found that the district courts had abused their discretion by granting such broad injunctions without sufficient justification.

Three Main Points in the Decision

Standing and Redressability: The court raised concerns about the plaintiffs' standing, particularly whether the relief they sought could address their injuries, focusing on whether future treatments would be available and whether the plaintiffs had sufficiently demonstrated how statewide relief was necessary.
Abuse of Discretion: The court concluded that the district courts had abused their discretion by granting such broad relief without properly explaining why such an injunction was necessary, especially considering that a more targeted class action could have addressed the issues.
Public Interest and Harm: The court noted that the harm to the states, Tennessee and Kentucky, if the injunction remained in place, was significant, particularly with regard to their ability to enforce laws passed by their elected representatives to protect minors. The balance of harm favored the states' interests in limiting treatments for minors under these laws.
Notes on Amici

NAACP (for Petitioner)

The NAACP's argument focuses on the discriminatory nature of Tennessee's law banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender adolescents, asserting that it constitutes a sex-based classification subject to heightened scrutiny. They argue that the law's passage is rooted in animus and prejudice against transgender people, particularly transgender youth, and that it cannot be considered constitutionally valid under the Equal Protection Clause, given the broader context of rising hostility toward LGBTQ individuals.

America First Legal Foundation (For Respondent)

AFLF's argument is that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate standing, particularly the redressability of their injuries, which is necessary for obtaining a preliminary injunction. The court argues that the plaintiffs cannot show that their requested relief would directly address the issue since the private lawsuits allowed under the law would still expose providers to liability.

hey yall. its mr. waffles. new name lol. Im just dropping in to say i appreciate yalls support. this shits scary and it feels good knowing lexi has people here that have her back. the whole anti trans shit show has been sobering for me. ive had to draw lines in the sand and cut out people in my life who dont have our back. im real sick of people coming at me making excuses for pro trump shit and still trying to pretend they love and support me and lexi.

anyway. im gonna try to hang around a bit on here. hope yall are doin alright.

Good to meet you, Mr. W. I was away from the forum, in mourning when you last lookde in so I never got to speak to you. I don't have to tell you, of course, but your Lexi is a real diamond and it's great to know that someone is really looking after her, as this is a very scary time for her. I hope you both have genuine friends you can rely on, and either of you (or both of you) are always free to talk to us here, at any time.

Take care.
TH

Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

My new years resolution for 2025 was to focus on self improvement, and I had planned to wean myself off of depending on the internet for socializing. But due to a combination of unexpected sickness that has exacerbated chronic health issues, getting a new job at a children's resale store, and a couple of emotional breakdowns, I have decided I really do need community in a time like this. So for the time being I am postponing those plans, though I am still going to be reducing my internet use on the whole due to now working once again.

I actually got this job because I had been volunteering there and they liked me enough to offer me a paid position. And on a positive note more related to this thread's topic, I haven't once mentioned that I'm trans there and nobody else has brought it up, so either I'm passing or it's just that nobody cares. Either way, the people who work there are nice and pleasant to talk to, and it's very comforting and very refreshing to have an environment where me being trans is a complete non-factor; I've gotten so mentally and emotionally worn down by constantly being treated as an 'issue' and a 'debate' online and in politics that it feels nice to just be treated as just a regular person. Even with my IRL queer friends a lot of our conversations end up venting and commiserating about the anti-trans garbage, so it's been a very positive experience so far.

So those are the positives in my life currently, though my home life has been a bit more fraught with emotional distress, in particular when I am alone with my thoughts. I've had a couple times now where i just feel a crushing weight of non-stop sadness and anguish wash over me when I think too hard about what may come in the year ahead. I've talked my way through these breakdowns with the help of my husband and some of my friends in queer discord servers, and that is one reason I feel I cannot take on my planned self actualization journey in my current mental state.

My mother is also undergoing a lot of pain and distress currently due to her mental conditions and we have been working hard alongside her and her doctors to try everything that can be done to help her, and it's very possible she will have to undergo brain surgery. So that's another thing that's adding to the heavy clouds hanging over my heart right now.

It's hard to stay strong, I'll be completely real. I've been reading that more UK clinics are ceasing adult HRT prescriptions and cutting off patients who have been on it for years, if not decades. Given that the US government is not slowing its anti-trans rhetoric, I have no doubt in my mind that things will worsen here very quickly as well. It feels like a tide that can only be pushed against for so long if the right wing direction many countries seem to be moving in continues. So I think, if nothing else, having a supportive community to turn to, even if just to have someone to prevent my brain from breaking down, is a good thing for me to have right now.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to talking with you all soon.

@Lexi Darling I'm sad to read you're not happy, though it's obviously completely understandable. I'm happy that our community is a source of support 🫂

I can't put myself in your shoes, but the current state of things is obviously a threat to your wellbeing. Do you have any escapes from it, like maybe a current creative project?

Her shoes wouldn't fit you anyway, Guybrush, and I bet she looks a lot better in them than you would!  :laughing:

Seriously, as usual Lexi I wish there was something I could do. It's easy/hard being on the outside observing and worrying, and completely powerless. You're right about more countries swinging right and deepening the "other" hate rhetoric, whether that's gay, trans, or whatever the current fad is in hate circles, but perhaps it can only go so far before it begins to move the other way? I certainly hope so. I know the first months of this year will be tough for you, and all I can say is what I've said before, that we're here if you need us, whenever you need us. I'm personally happy to pass on my phone number for WhatsApp chats if you think that would help, or you can always drop me an email.

Sorry to hear about your mother; that must be very hard to deal with. Have you other family and if so are they involved? If it's a case of "could be worse", consider this: at least you have someone loving and caring to turn to. I imagine a lot of people in a similar situation to yours are alone and very, very frightened, especially younger people who worry and wonder about the danger of "coming out", and how long they should keep their feelings and desires bottled up. I can't even imagine how hard it must be for you, but like I say, one plus is that you have support.

Like Guybrush says, and like I have said already and do again, hang in there: we're here for you.
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/527451/screenshots/3115734/safetynow_frame1-drib.gif)

Thank you both so much. <3

@Guybrush I should be able to get back to focusing on my creative endeavors soon; that's probably one reason I've been less occupied, and the reason I haven't been able to focus is in large part due to my physical health and energy being affected by my sickness. I got a bad cold, or some kind of bug, around mid-December followed by laryngitis, and these illnesses have made my chronic acid reflux problem worse as well. So it's harder to find the spark and motivation to do anything beyond the most essential things. But once I can get more recovered I am going to pursue the Youtube music stream performances I had mentioned before.

@Trollheart Yeah, she has people like my dad and a few close friends who are helping her do what she needs to, spend time with her and and get her to medical appointments, alongside Aaron and I. We're all doing everything we can, though it still pains my heart to see her suffering and not mentally herself. And of course my heart aches for the people of the targeted groups who don't have the privileges and support base and life stability that I have. I've learned the stories and the feelings of some of these people through reading their posts and talking with them in places like Discord, Bluesky and Reddit. I'm a member of a couple of trans specific Discord servers that are focused on mental health and shelter from hate. Sometimes those spaces can be too much for my own mental health, but I try to be involved in community support and mutual aid.

I've collected a few articles and resources on the current events affecting the trans community that I've been posting in a couple places online, so I thought I'd share here as well. Spoilered for some upsetting topics.

Spoiler

An increasing number of clinics in the UK have denying trans adults healthcare, ripping them off of necessary medications.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gp-nhs-transgender-hormone-treatment-b2658721.html (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gp-nhs-transgender-hormone-treatment-b2658721.html)

See above.
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/transgender-patients-devastated-nottinghamshire-gp-9827583 (https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/transgender-patients-devastated-nottinghamshire-gp-9827583)

Puberty blockers, an important tool in helping trans teenagers safely make decisions regarding medical transition, have been banned in the UK. Here's a bunch of doctors and other experts speaking about the 'review' used to justify the ban.
https://ruthpearce.net/2024/04/16/whats-wrong-with-the-cass-review-a-round-up-of-commentary-and-evidence/ (https://ruthpearce.net/2024/04/16/whats-wrong-with-the-cass-review-a-round-up-of-commentary-and-evidence/)

A nice Reddit post I found on the same subject.
https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/1hd7bjz/comment/m1vww4t/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button (https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/1hd7bjz/comment/m1vww4t/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)

And here's France's take on the matter.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/12/new-french-guidelines-show-doctors-overwhelmingly-support-gender-affirming-care/ (https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/12/new-french-guidelines-show-doctors-overwhelmingly-support-gender-affirming-care/)

On the US side, here's a handy collection of the thoughts and statements of the Commander-in-Cheeto regarding trans people and some potential policies he seeks to implement.
https://glaad.org/fact-sheet-trump-transgender/ (https://glaad.org/fact-sheet-trump-transgender/)

And let's not forget the SCOTUS.
https://ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/skrmetti-oral-argument-recap/ (https://ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/skrmetti-oral-argument-recap/)

And here's an example of the things state level politicians are saying about trans people.
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/ohio-michigan-republicans-in-released?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web (https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/ohio-michigan-republicans-in-released?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)

Here's an article from today about how a certain one of our great united states is treating trans prison inmates.
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/federal-court-rules-in-favor-of-forcibly (https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/federal-court-rules-in-favor-of-forcibly)

[close]

Quote from: Guybrush on Jan 03, 2025, 12:08 PM@Lexi Darling I'm sad to read you're not happy, though it's obviously completely understandable. I'm happy that our community is a source of support 🫂

I can't put myself in your shoes, but the current state of things is obviously a threat to your wellbeing. Do you have any escapes from it, like maybe a current creative project?

is this the same kind of advice we would be giving Anne Frank as she's hid out in her attic? Maybe start a diary or something to stay busy.

Quote from: Jwb on Jan 07, 2025, 06:19 PMis this the same kind of advice we would be giving Anne Frank as she's hid out in her attic? Maybe start a diary or something to stay busy.

Absolutely. I'm sure writing and confiding in "Kitty" helped her in various little ways, like alleviating boredom, getting a clearer perspective on certain things, having some emotional outlet for the things she was going through.

Good point. I wonder how that worked out for Anne in the end. I haven't read the book yet so I'll ask you kindly not spoil it.

I don't think Guybrush or Trollheart meant to imply that me having outlets for occupying my mind and having positive things to channel my energy into would be things that would be able to help stop the legal anti-trans violence happening on government policy level and I certainly didn't read their posts as such.

I can do multiple things at once. I've been working again to bring in some extra money, buying more medications as a buffer, I'm active in a LGBT mental health discord server providing advice and support to others in this situation, I have a consultation for my bottom surgery next Monday, etc. I'm trying my best to keep surviving and I'm not going to give up. But having avenues of levity and creativity is still helpful for my mental health and I appreciated the suggestions.

https://bsky.app/profile/erininthemorning.com/post/3lg7qwpaewk2u (https://bsky.app/profile/erininthemorning.com/post/3lg7qwpaewk2u)

One day in and we're already getting legally enshrined discrimination against trans people on the table, removal of our recognition by government organizations and cutting of federal funding toward any organization that acknowledges us (which will undoubtedly be used to come after clinics). None of this makes any positive contribution to society, it only serves to make less than 1% of the population's lives a living hell.

I have a changed gender marker on my ID, but not my birth certificate, and I have an appointment meant to change it on my passport in 9 days. Who knows if they'll even let me now. I could be breaking the law by just existing.

And for a trans person I'm probably pretty high on the scale of privilege. I don't have to work or go out in public all that much if I don't want to. My heart bleeds for all my trans brothers, sisters and everyone who live in red states, who have government jobs, we are all now living in a world where our own government has a policy of hostility toward us in most aspects of public life.

My husband and I are going to be trying our damnedest to get out of this rotting country as soon as possible. Fuck, if they come after gay marriage next, he won't even legally be my husband anymore.

If you support Trump or agree with this executive order, kindly do not reply to me, or you can put me on ignore. I have to set some personal boundaries and I don't wish to honor those who support such draconian abuse of my rights with my time and engagement.

To everyone who has shown me support and kindness these past 2 years, thank you all so much, once again. The fascist government does not define who I am, and I will continue to defy them until my last breath. I will not allow them to break me.

Yours truly,

- Alexandria

I'm sorry things are the way they are, @Lexi Darling 😢 I wish it was different 🫂

Yes, this is what I feared. They say the US will only recognise two genders, male and female, and unfortunately you can bet the Radical Christian Right and all their buddies will be like "Oh! Oh! But if a man and a man (sorry Lexi, you know I don't mean it that way) get married then how can that be legal?" And then Trump and the Supreme Court and Congress all nodding gravely.

Sadly, yes, I do think your best option is to leave the land of the once-free behind you, do as Jesus said, shake the dust off your soles as you leave, and never look back. I can't even begin to imagine what trying to exist as any sort of minority in the US is going to be like now that the fat orange cunt is back in the chair. My heart goes out to you - wait a minute! What's this I read in the paper?
(https://external-preview.redd.it/x_5lwZs8gQzuC3119ZhuvvoBW9KCfem7oz9FQTNcRSc.jpg?auto=webp&s=d3a9e9ed8d91a4221926832dfadfd4448959adfa)
Oh no!

Horrible to hear this Lexi. One of my trans friends is in a very similar situation with a family and limited resources in the rural part of a red state so moving would be very difficult and then the next question is where to go that will be safe and accessible? Many nations are on a similar trajectory and what's happening there will be like rocket fuel for that, especially here in Canada which is only half a step behind the US down this awful path. Really hoping that non-shitty people come together in solidarity to push back and protect attacks on people who are being scapegoated by these fascist fucks.

Why is it always white people talking about fleeing the country? Smdh.


Viva la révolution, coños. There are so many people with less doing more.

It's got nothing to do with her colour. It's her gender that's impelling her to have to emigrate. I can't understand how you don't get that if you've read any of her posts. Black, white, yellow, red, doesn't matter: Trump's an equal opportunities racist, homophobe and bigot. We don't have a fucking clue.

I don't know what gives you the impression I don't have a clue?

I said we, including me. What I mean is, anyone who is straight has not got a clue what people like Lexi and others are facing. I still don't understand - unless I misread or misunderstood - your comment on "white people"? I imagine Lexi is white but that really doesn't come into it; it's the Trump administration's intended denial of her human rights to be who she wants to be that's spurring her departure, so her colour doesn't matter.

If I got your comment wrong, please do set me straight, because this isn't the sort of thing I expect to read from you. You're normally very supportive of "minorities" so I do think I misread something.

I'm not straight, not that it's any of your business. I don't think I need to spell out my credentials to you either, but I can say with certainty I'm a lot closer to any of this than you are. Stay in your lane.

You still don't explain what you're talking about with white people. You're right: your orientation or sexual choice is none of my business, nor am I interested in it. But this thread was set up to help and support those who would be affected by the new administration's sweeping changes, including Lexi who has to flee her home country. So I don't get your comment, is all. What has this got to do with "white people"? You can at least clear that up for me.

And please don't tell me to stay in my own lane. I'm quite aware I have no stake in this nor does it affect me, but it does affect my friends and that's why this thread is here. I'm not trying to set myself up as some sort of saviour, SJW or white knight. Read the OP and you'll get why I made the thread. Your comment confuses me. Your original one, that is.

Quote from: Trollheart on Jan 22, 2025, 01:57 AMIt's got nothing to do with her colour. It's her gender that's impelling her to have to emigrate. I can't understand how you don't get that if you've read any of her posts. Black, white, yellow, red, doesn't matter: Trump's an equal opportunities racist, homophobe and bigot. We don't have a fucking clue.

Trump isn't an equal opportunity bigot,  nor is it obvious that trans people are the top group who are going to face direct persecution.  Discussions about Healthcare or rules regulating things like sports or prisons are one thing.  But illegal immigrants are the people who they're talking about maybe using the military to round up by the millions.  There's no telling the extent to which they will possibly go,  but if they went with the stated objective you are approaching ethnic cleansing levels of displacement.

 Also, even beyond any of that,  people are talking about the rise of fascism this and the next Hitler that.  You can't possibly believe that while simultaneously acting like the coming of the 4th Reich is going to be confined to policing bathrooms and trans Healthcare. It's completely detached from reality and made extra ironic coming from a foreigner who has even less stake in the game than we do.

Quote from: Trollheart on Jan 22, 2025, 02:59 AMYou're right: your orientation or sexual choice is none of my business, nor am I interested in it.

Damn it sure seemed to matter a minute ago when you were invalidating my opinion because you thought I was straight..

Quote from: Trollheart on Jan 22, 2025, 02:59 AMBut this thread was set up to help and support those who would be affected by the new administration's sweeping changes, including Lexi who has to flee her home country. So I don't get your comment, is all. What has this got to do with "white people"? You can at least clear that up for me.

Being able to "flee" - which is an (alarmist) choice that requires an amount of privilege and access not afforded to the majority of the most oppressed communities in this country - is itself an opportunity afforded only to higher scale socioeconomic demographics. Aka people with more privilege than others. Aka white people. This is not a controversial take.

Lexi herself acknowledged the amount of privilege that allows emigration to  be an option.

Any time a political leader is elected that one side or the other disproves of, there is a common sentiment that "if x then I'm leaving this country." I have seen it in every election cycle. It's only white people that think of that shit as an option. Don't you think more Black people, or down low gay people in the Midwest, or people being poisoned by their drinking water would just flee if it were that easy? Ffs.

Quote from: Trollheart on Jan 22, 2025, 02:59 AMAnd please don't tell me to stay in my own lane. I'm quite aware I have no stake in this nor does it affect me, but it does affect my friends and that's why this thread is here. I'm not trying to set myself up as some sort of saviour, SJW or white knight. Read the OP and you'll get why I made the thread. Your comment confuses me. Your original one, that is.

Would you prefer if I say you're out of your element? I am literally the "others affected" to whom you purport to offer support. I do have a stake in this. I am affected.  How hypocritical.

I'm going to attempt to leave the country because it's legally and medically precarious for me to be here and because I have connections to Australia; my sister is a citizen there, so I could apply for a family visa, and my husband is skilled and more likely to be eligible for a work visa if that would be quicker or easier.

I don't want to play oppression Olympics here, I recognize that I have a great degree of comparative privilege, which I pointed out in my post. There exist some potential opportunities to leave the country that we might be eligible for, so we're going to be investigating them. My phrasing probably did come off as alarmist and undermining of those who don't have the opportunities and resources afforded to me by my privilege. This household has decided to pursue those opportunities as soon as we are able in the event that things get way worse for people like me in the US (which this EO could very easily lay the groundwork for) and I feel confident in that decision. It is very much a preemptive move, and one my sister, my husband and I have been in regular contact talking about for a couple months before this EO even happened.

You are free to think it's an overreaction, I understand. I agree that my wording on the subject of leaving the country was overly dramatic. It's hard for me to not to be overwhelmed with emotion sometimes when writing posts. I'm sure it made me come off as a bougie bitch. That is a recurrent character flaw of mine and I probably should have just shut my mouth about the plan to leave.

TH, I appreciate you going to bat for me. I do want to make it clear that I understand where Degrassi is coming from and that I have no ill feelings toward her pointing out what she did.

What you do doesn't make a difference to me one way or another, I'm not here to make moral judgements. That's why I posted about white people, not you. You don't have to justify anything just like I shouldn't have to justify adding my voice to the conversation.

I work with trans and undocumented youth every day.I understand the fear and the concern. I understand the threat and the policy implications. I care a lot. A lot of my work is unpacking things like white privilege and social constructs and to hear about what it's like for undocumented youth fearing they and their parents are about to be separated hearing about how the kids of the Pink Pussy Hat Ladies are sick of this country and presume they belong everywhere.

It's all real and important. It's not mean just because it's uncomfortable.

I'm this insufferable in person too.

I understand. You made valid points and I appreciate you adding your voice.

People that are undocumented are choosing to leave before having to be caught off guard and rounded up into those camps that have terrible conditions. Anecdotal but a friend of mines is sadden by the fact that a good chunk of her extended family is currently in the process of leaving and she won't be able to see them as normally as she used to.

Quote from: DJChameleon on Jan 22, 2025, 11:48 AMPeople that are undocumented are choosing to leave before having to be caught off guard and rounded up into those camps that have terrible conditions. Anecdotal but a friend of mines is sadden by the fact that a good chunk of her extended family is currently in the process of leaving and she won't be able to see them as normally as she used to.

But leaving where? Back to the place they tried to leave in the first place?

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 22, 2025, 10:15 PMBut leaving where? Back to the place they tried to leave in the first place?

I don't know the specific details of their escape plan. All I know is they are working out the details to leave who knows where they are going especially since they have been in the states for over a decade.

Right so not the same thing as white people trying to flee to predominantly white countries.

I was not comparing the two groups with my example. I wasn't trying to say they were the same.

Ellen Degenres and her wife fleed to the UK after the election. Celebrities say they are going to do it after every election and only a very minor few actually follow through

Quote from: Lexi Darling on Jan 22, 2025, 04:18 AMI'm going to attempt to leave the country because it's legally and medically precarious for me to be here and because I have connections to Australia; my sister is a citizen there, so I could apply for a family visa, and my husband is skilled and more likely to be eligible for a work visa if that would be quicker or easier.

I don't want to play oppression Olympics here, I recognize that I have a great degree of comparative privilege, which I pointed out in my post. There exist some potential opportunities to leave the country that we might be eligible for, so we're going to be investigating them. My phrasing probably did come off as alarmist and undermining of those who don't have the opportunities and resources afforded to me by my privilege. This household has decided to pursue those opportunities as soon as we are able in the event that things get way worse for people like me in the US (which this EO could very easily lay the groundwork for) and I feel confident in that decision. It is very much a preemptive move, and one my sister, my husband and I have been in regular contact talking about for a couple months before this EO even happened.

You are free to think it's an overreaction, I understand. I agree that my wording on the subject of leaving the country was overly dramatic. It's hard for me to not to be overwhelmed with emotion sometimes when writing posts. I'm sure it made me come off as a bougie bitch. That is a recurrent character flaw of mine and I probably should have just shut my mouth about the plan to leave.

TH, I appreciate you going to bat for me. I do want to make it clear that I understand where Degrassi is coming from and that I have no ill feelings toward her pointing out what she did.

i dont think degrassi is shaming you for it at all reading this, only pointing out that you do benefit from white privelage.  doesn't mean that you aren't oppressed for lack of other types of privelege and that moving doesn't make sense, just to look at it in those terms.  tl;dr don't not move, you can feel what you do about it, but recognize that others aren't so lucky all the same

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 22, 2025, 05:32 AMWhat you do doesn't make a difference to me one way or another, I'm not here to make moral judgements. That's why I posted about white people, not you. You don't have to justify anything just like I shouldn't have to justify adding my voice to the conversation.

I work with trans and undocumented youth every day.I understand the fear and the concern. I understand the threat and the policy implications. I care a lot. A lot of my work is unpacking things like white privilege and social constructs and to hear about what it's like for undocumented youth fearing they and their parents are about to be separated hearing about how the kids of the Pink Pussy Hat Ladies are sick of this country and presume they belong everywhere.

It's all real and important. It's not mean just because it's uncomfortable.

I'm this insufferable in person too.

doesn't seem insufferable so much as realistic.  i think that people just have a lack of reality and meaning in their daily lives and mostly have popcorn conversations.  quite simply most people don't feel enough.  I've been in the process of waking up but I'm right there too.

I sentence Trollheart to 5 years of mutual aid work

Quote from: Trollheart on Jan 22, 2025, 02:35 AMI said we, including me. What I mean is, anyone who is straight has not got a clue what people like Lexi and others are facing. I still don't understand - unless I misread or misunderstood - your comment on "white people"? I imagine Lexi is white but that really doesn't come into it; it's the Trump administration's intended denial of her human rights to be who she wants to be that's spurring her departure, so her colour doesn't matter.

If I got your comment wrong, please do set me straight, because this isn't the sort of thing I expect to read from you. You're normally very supportive of "minorities" so I do think I misread something.

You can benefit from one type of privelege while being oppressed for lack of another.  Being white doesn't mean you're automatically in charge of your destiny but it does mean that one does have certain priveleges that non-white people lack bc of the system.  this is basic knowledge, I think you should read a bit into real social justice topics before getting offended bc of misunderstanding what you're talking about.

btw I thought we left the anti-SJW sentiments behind midway during Trump's first presidency.  Blue hair and pronouns are fine actually.

Yeah what Tristan is describing is intersectionality

Quote from: tristan_geoff on Jan 23, 2025, 06:13 PMi dont think degrassi is shaming you for it at all reading this, only pointing out that you do benefit from white privelage.  doesn't mean that you aren't oppressed for lack of other types of privelege and that moving doesn't make sense, just to look at it in those terms.  tl;dr don't not move, you can feel what you do about it, but recognize that others aren't so lucky all the same

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 22, 2025, 12:36 AMWhy is it always white people talking about fleeing the country? Smdh.


Viva la révolution, coños. There are so many people with less doing more.

...okay.

I literally referred to white people that do this because Lexi reminded me of the phenomenon. It wasn't pointed. If I wanted to say something to her directly, I would have. Stop looking for ill intent.

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 24, 2025, 01:45 AMI literally referred to white people that do this because Lexi reminded me of the phenomenon. It wasn't pointed. If I wanted to say something to her directly, I would have. Stop looking for ill intent.

...okay.

Right but I'm the troll.

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 24, 2025, 02:27 AMRight but I'm the troll.

I never used that word to describe you.

...okay

Quote from: Marie Monday on Jan 24, 2025, 09:29 PM...okay

Hell yeah.

Why even use this thread as an opportunity to point out white privilege? Yes, you have to be in a position of privilege, likely related to race, to be able to leave the US for a better situation. However, it strikes me as confrontational for the sake of confrontation to bring that up in a trans support thread.

I mean the trans folks in my circles (largely not white) are talking about organizing and fighting back. The observation seemed relevant that it's always white people opting to remove themselves from the situation leaving the dirty work for others.

I am not judging the individual. What does support look like to you all because apparently I'm doing it all wrong here. And white privilege is a part of every conversation on oppression.

Quote from: Weekender on Jan 25, 2025, 12:54 AMWhy even use this thread as an opportunity to point out white privilege? Yes, you have to be in a position of privilege, likely related to race, to be able to leave the US for a better situation. However, it strikes me as confrontational for the sake of confrontation to bring that up in a trans support thread.

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 25, 2025, 12:42 AMYou've gotta spoon feed the baby

Bro if you have something to say do so.

@degrassi.knoll I'm trying to PM you but it's saying my message is blocked. Not sure if the issue is on my end or yours.

Quote from: Lexi Darling on Jan 27, 2025, 12:03 AM@degrassi.knoll I'm trying to PM you but it's saying my message is blocked. Not sure if the issue is on my end or yours.

My bad should be good now

Quote from: Weekender on Jan 25, 2025, 12:54 AMWhy even use this thread as an opportunity to point out white privilege? Yes, you have to be in a position of privilege, likely related to race, to be able to leave the US for a better situation. However, it strikes me as confrontational for the sake of confrontation to bring that up in a trans support thread.

This isn't the trans support thread.  It's the Lexi support thread.  Get it right. 

But honestly if you want to have this pity party out in the open you can expect to get ridiculed for it.  I feel like if you guys want a safe space so badly the place for one is definitely not out in public where I can read and respond to it.

Watch out, this guy is an equal opportunity pedant.

I don't know who "you guys" are, but I'll have it on public record that you sound like a doofus.

Your only response is to say you don't know who "you guys" are, but I'm the pedant? "You guys" would be people like yourself and Trollheart who insist that this "isn't the right thread" for anything other than relentless white knighting of the site's most prominent  professional trans victim.  Why are you playing stupid?

Please behave.

Quote from: Jwb on Jan 31, 2025, 08:07 AMYour only response is to say you don't know who "you guys" are, but I'm the pedant? "You guys" would be people like yourself and Trollheart who insist that this "isn't the right thread" for anything other than relentless white knighting of the site's most prominent  professional trans victim.  Why are you playing stupid?

I didn't know who you were referring to honestly.

Quote from: Jwb on Jan 31, 2025, 08:07 AMwhite

Careful......

Quote from: Jwb on Jan 31, 2025, 08:07 AMknighting

............phew!

In my day we just called it solidarity but I guess things have changed outside the blue hair woke DEI soy npc professional victim safe space.

Solidarity is a two way street. This thread is literally made for the purpose of TH white knighting Lexi. You can call it whatever you want to try to white wash that simple fact,  but that's exactly what it is.

Quote from: Weekender on Jan 31, 2025, 06:09 PMIn my day we just called it solidarity but I guess things have changed outside the blue hair woke DEI soy npc professional victim safe space.

calling something white knighting is not necessarily a way to dismiss solidarity though, there's a distinction. A bit like how there's a difference between complimenting and flattery.

Jwb is being unnecessarily rude about it though, I'll say that.

If the title feels to you all like it's emphasizing me too much in favor of other people of communities targeted by these political administrations, maybe it's for the best to change the title to be more general. Now that we're getting into the thick of the tangible effects of the Trump administration's policies and people of all minorities and marginalized groups are experiencing the direct harm and impending threats thereof, it would be better to signal that this isn't just a "Lexi thread". I appreciated the shout out from TH, but if "Lexi thread" is what it's coming off as, to the discouragement of others who want at any time to spill their feelings, then I support a name change if others think that would be helpful.

Quote from: Lexi Darling on Jan 31, 2025, 10:41 PMIf the title feels to you all like it's emphasizing me too much in favor of other people of communities targeted by these political administrations, maybe it's for the best to change the title to be more general. Now that we're getting into the thick of the tangible effects of the Trump administration's policies and people of all minorities and marginalized groups are experiencing the direct harm and impending threats thereof, it would be better to signal that this isn't just a "Lexi thread". I appreciated the shout out from TH, but if "Lexi thread" is what it's coming off as, to the discouragement of others who want at any time to spill their feelings, then I support a name change if others think that would be helpful.

Through no fault of your own, and speaking only from my own experience (and excluding the white privilege matter), I can definitely say that despite being one of the "others affected" I was made to feel that I was not welcome to express myself in this thread. The title doesn't matter, but it does feel inaccurate if the rest of us also suffering under this administration are discounted.

Tl;dr good in theory, bad in execution 

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 31, 2025, 10:48 PMThrough no fault of your own, and speaking only from my own experience (and excluding the white privilege matter), I can definitely say that despite being one of the "others affected" I was made to feel that I was not welcome to express myself in this thread. The title doesn't matter, but it does feel inaccurate if the rest of us also suffering under this administration are discounted.

Tl;dr good in theory, bad in execution 

Yeah, absolutely. I don't want anyone who uses this thread to feel like their suffering is discounted.

Alright, well let's move forward then. If @Trollheart or @Guybrush would be so kind, when you have a minute to spare, it would be lovely if you could change the thread title. Something like "Support Thread for Those Affected" maybe.

I'll sort it out, @Lexi Darling 🙂

My sympathy goes out to all affected by this. I admittedly don't engage much with this topic or even American politics because it bums me out. I do wish there was more solidarity in the world.

I've made an attempt and hopefully I hit the mark well enough. If you don't think so, just let me know here and we can change it.

Thanks Guybrush. I haven't been in this thread for a while, lots of other stuff to do, and usually when things begin to get a little heated I step back rather than walk into, or cause, further confrontation. Having read the last few posts I was ready to change the title, but I see you have now done so, so thanks for that.

There was no intention to single Lexi out, but as she herself says, better if she's not in the title. Hope any preconceptions anyone had about the thread can now be put to bed and people can get on with the far more important work of supporting and advising those affected by His Imperial Majesty's return to power. Thoughts and prayers may not be much, but it's all I got from way over here.

Oh, and once again, if I offended anyone or came off as judgemental (must be these damn robes and that wig!) then I apologise. Perhaps I don't understand people, or the situation, anywhere near as well as I thought I did. Like I said in another thread, I'm always ready to admit to being wrong, as it's virtually my default state.

We'll be returning this thread to its original purpose, after these messages...

To me, "marginalized" sounds a bit like being covered in butter, but my AI assistant tells me different.

Sounds more like someone took a big ruler and drew a line and said, you stay in this part.

Hmm. Come to think of it...

The problem was singling out Lexi to make her a target of the shit heads.

Otherwise the fact that you apologized is ridiculous while others that did come here with back handed comments are playing victim over the backlash.

I'm sorry  :(

Quote from: Lucem Ferre on Feb 01, 2025, 03:03 AMThe problem was singling out Lexi to make her a target of the shit heads.

Otherwise the fact that you apologized is ridiculous while others that did come here with back handed comments are playing victim over the backlash.

Once again I invite you to be direct.

Otherwise I'm over here assuming the world revolves around me.

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Feb 01, 2025, 03:43 AMOnce again I invite you to be direct.

Otherwise I'm over here assuming the world revolves around me.

That's narcissism for ya.


But the shit head that targeted her was the guy with Nazi Trotsky (Nazki?) PFP

Quote from: Lucem Ferre on Feb 01, 2025, 03:03 AMThe problem was singling out Lexi to make her a target of the shit heads.

Otherwise the fact that you apologized is ridiculous while others that did come here with back handed comments are playing victim over the backlash.

the problem was not just singling out Lexi but making a thread which centers the entire election cycle around catering to her and her plight in what I think comes across as an attempt to signal his paternalistic virtue and how much he cares.

When early on i pointed out that some of the sentiments on display were catastrophizing and alarmist, he just brow beat me based on a lazy appeal to my identity and the fact that I'm not trans. Yet he's the one who decided on the framing that since Trump is basically going to be the Hitler of trans people, non trans people should basically keep their mouths shut on any of their naive cis skepticism they might still be harboring.

It's clear as day that he doesn't even really know about the issue he's gatekeeping acceptable opinions on.  He's demonstrated repeatedly he has no card to play but to chastise you for not being trans.  Then, if you happen to be a woman and you complain about it he then immediately apologizes out of instinct, without even understanding what he's done wrong,  knowing only that the optics of weaponized identity are no longer on his side. I see nothing genuine in that, personally.

Did I target Lexi? I mean I said a few things that were insulting, I don't particularly think I went out of my way to target her. The nature of this thread that I find it hard not to ridicule sort of intrinsically involves trollheart treating her like some kind of pity project. So when i see people saying oh why bring that up in the trans thread... I can't help but be the asshole who points to the title and says this ain't the fuckin trans thread lol.


For whatever it is worth,  I don't dislike either TH nor Lexi personally. But it's my firm belief that this thread needed a brave mujahid to fly a plane into it.

My two cents is.. we're on an internet forum. We're a good range of various people, but our ratio of people closer to the fringes of society is probably higher here than in the general representative random societal group. I think we have more representation from LGBTQ, but (in a ratio sense) maybe also more from fringes of working society or mental health.

What I'm getting at is forum goers as a whole is a weirder bunch. Now I love weirdos. I aspire to being authentic in my own weirdness in my everyday life.

When I look at Trollheart, I see a fellow weirdo and one who's probably weirder than I am. He writes absolute walls of text and cares about so many things, but certain things fly under his radar, like about Steph's sexuality or being able to guess that Lexi probably didn't want to be singled out in the title of a support thread.

What I love about TH is he has a heart of gold and even though he still gets picked at for not getting everything right (something I would never expect him to anyways), he is still brave enough to try. Plus he is actually great at owning up to and apologising for his mistakes. All this matters so much more to me than the ability to perfectly navigate this social maze of unwritten rules and hidden mines.

I'm not as brave as Trollheart so one of the reasons I don't put my foot in it as often is I'm simply too scared to put myself out there.

So TLDR I accept that people are weird and don't get everything right, but that's okay with me as long as the intention is good. I want people's best sides to thrive. While feedback is fine, too much social control can stifle. In this respect, I wish people were a little more generous, a little more kind. What's so good about nitpicking at behaviours instead of looking at the bigger picture of what people are trying to achieve? What sort of environment does that help create? Do we get more honest expression or less of it?

I realise writing this may also be putting my foot in it a little bit. If so I'm sorry, @Trollheart, but I mean well ❤️

Could we stop bringing up my sexuality? Subject was only brought up because I had to prove myself worthy of having an opinion but would prefer to not be used as an example..

(https://www.rsm.ac.uk/media/1188/prize-winner-getting-certificate.jpg?center=0.384180790960452,0.5&mode=crop&width=540&height=405&rnd=131892613020000000)
Thanks for that Guybrush. I must admit (sniff) I never (sniffle) in my life ever dreamed (cough, wipe tear) that I would aspire to be ... weird! It's been (snort) my life's (sob - sorry sorry) my life's ambition and to (HONK!) sorry - and to know that you people think me (snuffle) weird is, is, well, it's all a bit (sniffle) too much. Thank you. Thank you all.

Quote from: degrassi.knoll on Jan 22, 2025, 12:36 AMWhy is it always white people talking about fleeing the country? Smdh.


Viva la révolution, coños. There are so many people with less doing more.

This was the post I thought was a little distasteful.

Ironically the only ones I see playing the victim are two obviously white individuals pulling an "all lives matter" routine.

I stand by it *shrug*

Quote from: Weekender on Feb 02, 2025, 06:29 PMThis was the post I thought was a little distasteful.

Ironically the only ones I see playing the victim are two obviously white individuals pulling an "all lives matter" routine.

Why not name names? If you're going to call people out do so with confidence.

If it weren't already obvious, I thought the quote would remove the mystery. A WWE style call out, while fun,  doesn't seem necessary.

So as a white person criticizing other white people I am pulling an all lives matter routine?

Genuinely not trying to be obtuse, I just cannot figure out what I did wrong to be so misunderstood, because from my perspective I made a comment about white people sucking and playing the victim but now I'm being accused of playing the victim and being a narcissist etc and I can't figure out out why because no one will speak clearly! Like please, I am asking for clarity because it is not clear to me!

Quote from: Weekender on Feb 02, 2025, 06:49 PMIf it weren't already obvious, I thought the quote would remove the mystery. A WWE style call out, while fun,  doesn't seem necessary.

I mean, it wasn't obvious, which is why I asked. Posting something you found to be distasteful didn't equate to "all lives matter routine" to me.

Lol, the derailing of this thread gives me such MB nostalgia

Btw stay strong all my fellow queer comrades, they can take away our rights but they can't take away our sickass music

The next bi-annual world pride event takes place in DC, May 17, to June 8. One of the sponsors, management consultants and government contractor Booz Allen just pulled out. Wonder why? 

The festival could become controversial as it may become a magnet for the various right wing groups, just like the march in Charlottesville, VA (which resulted in one death and several injuries) was during Trump's first term.

Typically, in DC, there is some form of rally or protest march big or small almost every weekend, and while the city has complicated rules for permitting such events, their hands are also tied by 1st amendment law. A denial of a permit to protest world pride would likely end up in court.
Worth keeping an eye on.
Details and list of sponsors here.

https://worldpridedc.org/sponsors/ (https://worldpridedc.org/sponsors/)

QuoteSeveral hundred people with LGBTQ flags rallied at the Stonewall National Monument on Friday, a day after references to transgender Americans disappeared from the U.S. National Park Service website for the New York site commemorating a gay bar where resistance to a 1969 police raid sparked a civil rights movement.
The monument's website was initially altered on Thursday to refer to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ+)" people, deleting the letter "T." Later in the day, the "Q" and "+" were removed, leaving the acronym as "LGB," a usage that was more common in a less inclusive era around 1990.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-erasure-transgender-references-extends-stonewall-monument-website-2025-02-14/#:~:text=The%20monument's%20website%20was%20initially,less%20inclusive%20era%20around%201990.

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread.  I'm in the U.S. and work in public ed, which I've done for 24 years.  I saw and experienced some atrocities during the first regime, and watched my students live through them, saw some of them get sent away.  And now it's only getting worse.  I cringe in horror at the news every day and seriously wonder how I'm supposed to support my students in marginalized populations.  I can do my best, but sometimes it's not enough.  I don't know how we're going to make it through this - literally, in the case of some of my students.  The first time around, I spent more time than I care to count sitting with trans students in my office who had expressed suicidal ideation because they were afraid of losing gender affirming care, waiting for the school crisis team to arrive.  A senior boy sat in my office in tears because he and his 10th grade sister were being deported 2 months before his high school graduation, and all he wanted to do was graduate in the U.S.  How are we all supposed to live through this and worse again?

I feel for everyone affected by this, which is why the thread was created. Probably doesn't do anything or help in any way, but I like to think of it as a sort of refuge where people can go to air their feelings, look for support and/or advice as the next four years unfold. Unfortunately, short of a miracle of QAnon proportions, but in reverse, I don't see how it gets any better before getting considerably worse. We're all here though, for anyone who wants to talk, discuss or ask questions, or just air their fears.

Quote from: Weekender on Feb 02, 2025, 06:29 PMThis was the post I thought was a little distasteful.

Ironically the only ones I see playing the victim are two obviously white individuals pulling an "all lives matter" routine.

when did I play the victim? And  if you're honestly so eager to have your marginalized peoples thread without me, it really isn't obvious from the activity in this thread.  Every time I ignore it for a while you expose that this is a pointless thread with no traction other than that which I provide it.  You should be thanking me.

Quote from: Jwb on Feb 24, 2025, 08:57 PMwhen did I play the victim? And  if you're honestly so eager to have your marginalized peoples thread without me, it really isn't obvious from the activity in this thread.  Every time I ignore it for a while you expose that this is a pointless thread with no traction other than that which I provide it.  You should be thanking me.

Go back to sleep. Quoting a post from a month ago that doesn't even mention you.

I didn't even realize it was from a month ago when I quoted it,  that's how fuckin dead this thread is.  And he clearly meant me. The fact that your grandma apparently never taught you how to read between the lines isn't my problem.

*yawns* if the thread is so dead then why post in it.

It was showing new posts. I checked to see out of curiosity. And I saw a post clearly addressing me so I responded. Is the best pushback you have really the "why do you care" angle?

I care because I'm a hateful petty man, and you know this.  Don't do the passive aggressive approach with me,   bro.  You're not good at it.

Quote from: Jwb on Feb 25, 2025, 06:04 AMIt was showing new posts. I checked to see out of curiosity. And I saw a post clearly addressing me so I responded. Is the best pushback you have really the "why do you care" angle?

I care because I'm a hateful petty man, and you know this.  Don't do the passive aggressive approach with me,   bro.  You're not good at it.

Yeah I responded with that. If someone doesn't even want to address you directly you think they are gonna respond to you now? When they didn't even want to directly call you out in the first place? Just let the shit go it's old news

They're coming for same sex marriage. Because of course they were. (https://www.newsweek.com/push-supreme-court-gay-marriage-states-2036390)

My license expires in September, which will now be renewed with an "m" sex marker. Depending on the time frame of this, if Obergefell is overturned, I will not be legally married to my husband anymore due to us both being legally male. I will lose access to my health plan I get through his employer, just in time for my bottom surgery date in October.

Maybe it won't be overturned, but after Roe was and Clarence Thomas made comments about going after gay marriage in the future, I'm not particularly optimistic about this.

Getting married and living out and proud as trans were two of the best things that ever happened to me. And now my happiness and my life are being disrespected, humiliated and taunted by the legal institutions of my country. I'm just so tired.

Any word on the Great Escape yet? Australia beckons? Is that a real hope you have, are plans in train?

Quote from: Lexi Darling on Feb 26, 2025, 05:32 PMThey're coming for same sex marriage. Because of course they were. (https://www.newsweek.com/push-supreme-court-gay-marriage-states-2036390)

My license expires in September, which will now be renewed with an "m" sex marker. Depending on the time frame of this, if Obergefell is overturned, I will not be legally married to my husband anymore due to us both being legally male. I will lose access to my health plan I get through his employer, just in time for my bottom surgery date in October.

Maybe it won't be overturned, but after Roe was and Clarence Thomas made comments about going after gay marriage in the future, I'm not particularly optimistic about this.

Getting married and living out and proud as trans were two of the best things that ever happened to me. And now my happiness and my life are being disrespected, humiliated and taunted by the legal institutions of my country. I'm just so tired.

My heart breaks for you, Lexi 😢

While I understand arguments both for and against, I would strongly consider getting out. In the end, your institutions are working against you. It's not good. You have to find ways to protect yourself and your own happiness. You can still be a voice of reason from outside of the US if you want and move back in the future if things change there or for you.

Quote from: Trollheart on Feb 26, 2025, 07:03 PMAny word on the Great Escape yet? Australia beckons? Is that a real hope you have, are plans in train?

As of right now, leaving the US is our Plan B.

I cancelled the passport appointment I had scheduled on January 30th because all the reports of trans people being denied passports and having their documents confiscated had me terrified. If I were to take the gamble I'd end up with an "M" passport, which, provided nobody cares that my legal name is "Alexandria" at any step of the emigration process, should still allow me to leave the country.

However, my husband has made the decision that at the current point he would rather try to stay in the US, lay low and dedicate the money we would have spent on immigration to instead continue stockpiling HRT. As of right now we are still monitoring the situation and taking into account the timelines; if nothing gets implemented re: nullifying our marriage before late October, there's a good chance I'll still be able to get the surgery while I have easy access to it. It's tough because so much unpredictable shit is happening. If things end up worsening to the point where my life and limb are in the direct path of harm, the plans will be adjusted. I will keep you all updated.

Thank you both as always for looking out. <3

Trans people are being denied passports? Oh dear god. On what basis? That their "details" don't match? This has horrifying parallels to the efforts of Jews to get out of Germany just before the whole Final Solution thing kicked in. My heart also breaks for you, and all like you. Please look after yourselves. At least you have the support of your husband; this must be a darkly terrifying time for those facing this alone. I hope the fires of Hell are stoked nice and hot for Trump when he eventually rolls snake eyes and has to cash in his contract. They won't be hot enough.

I don't know how helpful drawing the Final Solution parallels are, to be honest. This is where the hyperbole becomes reductive, from an American perspective. 

I take your point, Steph: probably a bad choice of words. It's pretty damn scary though, because hyperbole or not, what the hell are they doing? If people want to leave the country then they should be able to. To be perfectly callous about it, if they don't want "those people" in the USA, why are they making it so hard for them to leave? Surely they'd be facilitating such an exit?

Kind of academic in Lexi's case, as she and her hubby have made the decision to stay for now, but even so, it rings a chilling bell that recalls the past. I don't understand the logic. I know why it happened originally, given the plan they had, but why stop them leaving now?

Why would they want to lose that much production power? Wanted or not, they still depend on our labor.

.... merged posts.

Quote from: Trollheart on Feb 27, 2025, 03:19 AMI take your point, Steph: probably a bad choice of words. It's pretty damn scary though, because hyperbole or not, what the hell are they doing? If people want to leave the country then they should be able to. To be perfectly callous about it, if they don't want "those people" in the USA, why are they making it so hard for them to leave? Surely they'd be facilitating such an exit?

Kind of academic in Lexi's case, as she and her hubby have made the decision to stay for now, but even so, it rings a chilling bell that recalls the past. I don't understand the logic. I know why it happened originally, given the plan they had, but why stop them leaving now?

from what I'm reading,  it has to do with not wanting to put the "correct sex designation" on passports and other documents.  So the seeming motive for a move like that is similar to the motive for banning them from the military, bathrooms,  sports, whatever.  They want to reverse the clock on trans people being normalized. It doesn't seem to be about keeping people in the country.  They will issue you a passport, just one with the wrong gender, from what I am reading.  It's just about making their lives more difficult, it seems.

Quote from: DJChameleon on Feb 25, 2025, 06:58 AMYeah I responded with that. If someone doesn't even want to address you directly you think they are gonna respond to you now? When they didn't even want to directly call you out in the first place? Just let the shit go it's old news

Well tbh I don't post with the expectation that he must respond.  That's up to him.  I responded for the same reason you're wasting your time lecturing me about how I shouldn't have responded to a post that I already responded to.  Because I refuse to keep my unproductive thoughts to myself,  just like you pal.

Yeah, the passport thing seems mostly to fuck with us and cause confusion and humiliation, but I think it's very likely that bad actors across the country will use the "birth sex" on our IDs and passports to justify forcing us into the opposite gender's spaces and enforce any drag bans under state laws. While I also think the Final Solution comparison is unwarranted as of right now and I think it's very very unlikely we'll get to that point, we're only one month into this regime; this stuff can easily be a springboard to worse stuff, and since the EO and its resultant policies aren't being meaningfully challenged at the moment I wouldn't get complacent. But yes, it's important to stay grounded.

Another related thing is the SAVE act (https://www.newsweek.com/married-women-stopped-voting-save-act-2029325) that was recently introduced, which, if it passes, will prevent anyone who has legally changed their name to something that doesn't match their birth certificate or passport from voting. So anyone, trans or otherwise, will have to spend a couple hundred bucks on a passport with the right name but wrong gender, just to vote. So many trans people are destitute and barely scraping by, not to mention the millions of lower income married women. I'm fully expecting many people to not even pay attention to that if it passes and get turned away at the polls.

They're fucking with us all, because we're ants and they're sadistic third graders with magnifying glasses on a summer day.

Quote from: Jwb on Feb 25, 2025, 06:04 AMI care because I'm a hateful petty man, and you know this.

 :laughing:

Quote from: Lucem Ferre on Feb 27, 2025, 02:46 PM:laughing:

I lol'd as well.

Quote from: Lexi Darling on Feb 27, 2025, 04:29 AMYeah, the passport thing seems mostly to fuck with us and cause confusion and humiliation, but I think it's very likely that bad actors across the country will use the "birth sex" on our IDs and passports to justify forcing us into the opposite gender's spaces and enforce any drag bans under state laws. While I also think the Final Solution comparison is unwarranted as of right now and I think it's very very unlikely we'll get to that point, we're only one month into this regime; this stuff can easily be a springboard to worse stuff, and since the EO and its resultant policies aren't being meaningfully challenged at the moment I wouldn't get complacent. But yes, it's important to stay grounded.

Another related thing is the SAVE act (https://www.newsweek.com/married-women-stopped-voting-save-act-2029325) that was recently introduced, which, if it passes, will prevent anyone who has legally changed their name to something that doesn't match their birth certificate or passport from voting. So anyone, trans or otherwise, will have to spend a couple hundred bucks on a passport with the right name but wrong gender, just to vote. So many trans people are destitute and barely scraping by, not to mention the millions of lower income married women. I'm fully expecting many people to not even pay attention to that if it passes and get turned away at the polls.

They're fucking with us all, because we're ants and they're sadistic third graders with magnifying glasses on a summer day.

Yeah well they should remember there are millions or billions of ants in the world, and once they get into your clothing, food, house or bedding they're damned hard to get rid of. Also, magnifying glass can be turned on the user.

As per my post in the LGBT thread, I'm taking a leave of absence from political and current event discussion. My mind has been getting easily overloaded when I engage with articles and discussions on those topics and it's really taking a toll on my mood, even IRL. I'm more irritable and on-edge and it's affecting the other people in my life. I'm going to try to get more zen for a while. I've used a blocking script to hide the political subforum so I don't make a mistake like the one I made earlier today. Especially on the topic of trans stuff I've felt obligated to engage in those discussions and debates for years because I want to push back against misinformation and disingenuous rhetoric and not let it go unchallenged. But it's worn me down over the past 3 years and it's tearing my head apart trying to keep up with all of it. I'm trying to discipline myself to just put it out of sight and out of mind. At this point I'm sure everyone here knows my stances on things anyway. Just letting everyone know where I'm at right now.

Absolutely right. Nobody could say you have buried your head or not stood up for what you believe to be right (and what is objectively right). I feel the same, in a way, about my Trump journal. It's just, well, depressing, and that's only a distant reaction from me. I can't even imagine how it's affecting you. So you're doing the right thing. Step back, leave the chaos behind. Think about fluffy kittens and rainbows for a while, and a world without Trump and MAGA.
(https://media.tenor.com/zXlBfjivudkAAAAM/lionel-hutz-world-without-lawyers.gif)