Don’t just sit with your guilt, act.
The comfort of living in a ‘safe’ state is not felt by everyone, and does not excuse inaction.
During the first four years of the Trump Administration, especially when Roe v. Wade was overturned, a sentiment I saw was “at least we live in a blue state.”
What about the women, non-binary and trans folks in predominantly red states? For marginalized people living in the South and Midwest? There is a misconstrued sense of individualism and division across state and party lines that has taken a toll on community building.
Sure, folks in California or in my home state of Colorado will have an easier time accessing abortion, reproductive health and gender affirming care than folks in a state like Texas. But, does this sense of ‘safety’ allow for this complete level of disregard?
The day after November’s election results, I sat in a room of queer individuals silently making crafts, sending documentation updates and watching animated television. The weight in the room was heavier and heavier as reality sank in.
Friends of mine were pulling together hundreds of dollars to expedite gender affirming changes to legal documentation. People were sharing the different community locations that were offering necessary medical consultation and care.
Tears were being held back because there was no time for tears.
And this was in a blue state. Anti-trans rhetoric and harmful attacks on gender affirming and reproductive care does not stop at a state or party line. Assuming safety, assumes privilege. Because even if I, as someone who is non-binary, will not be directly harmed, my friends are.
It is more necessary than ever to rely on community care and support.
In the midst of anti-trans legislation, more than 50% of caregivers nationally offered free care to LGBTQ+ chosen family, friends and community members. A local Los Angeles organization, Reach LA, offers free sexual health services and community-based programming. The importance of streamlined systems and information sharing could not be understated, and is the bare minimum people who are not directly at risk could offer.
It is not enough to live in a blue state, especially not as a trans or gender expansive person. And our advocacy for other marginalized people goes beyond blue ‘safe’ states. We must show up and build community with our trans, non-binary and gender expansive peers, especially for those facing imminent attacks by their local leaders.
7 Steps for Trans People Preparing for Federal Crackdowns
Myriam-Fernanda (they/them/elle) is a producer fellow at KCRW. They graduated from USC in the spring with degrees in Journalism and English-Creative Writing. They focus on …
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