Whose America is it, Anyway?

Land of the oppressed, home of the marginalized. Is that how it goes?

Last week, I was having lunch with my father, and we were talking about politics. This isn’t always an easy conversation between the two of us, but we’ve done a lot of collective work to be able to have difficult, necessary discussions. I said, “If Trump or DeSantis wins, my life is on the line,” and without a moment’s hesitation he responded, “I know.” (The New Republic) He hung his head. I followed suit, staring at my duck confit tacos solemnly, in a way I didn’t think was possible to stare at duck confit tacos.

My parents love, accept, and champion me, and for that I am grateful. They do not always understand my community. Sometimes, our generational differences are staggering, but when they cannot understand, they listen. When listening doesn’t bring clarity, they welcome knowledge disparity. Mostly, they love me more than they love their preconceived world views. They trust that they have raised a person who knows themself. They also understand that my identity isn’t harming anyone, and that I am living in a world that seeks to harm me based on that identity.

We have a government that, when faced with a choice between accepting a lack of understanding or seeking to control and erase, chooses the latter. We have legislatures that have the option to listen to the trans experience but instead choose ignorance. (The Majority Report, QueerAF) We are living in a world in which history and truth are being altered, erased, and silenced in an effort to safeguard patriarchy against guilt and responsibility. (Alabama Reflector) In Florida, students will be learning a white-washed history of slavery. In the same state, and throughout the country, LGBTQ+ people and those who seek abortions are being added to a tracking registry. (Status Coup) Pride, LGBTQ+ people, and healthcare are being labeled as “anti-American” by prominent GOP members and the far-right media. (The New Republic) If freedom of self-expression and bodily autonomy are examples of what is anti-American, then one is left to wonder what is American? Right now, it looks like control, homogeny, and authoritarian fascism. (Assigned Media) What an intriguing reading of the Constitution...

I hope that We the People continue to be diligent truth-seekers. I hope that in the face of corporate media-fueled outrage and polarization, we question our world view. (Dame Magazine, TransLash) I hope that we have the guts to inspect our preconceived notions, the idea that, just maybe, everything we thought we knew is not what it seems. (Assigned Media) Mostly, I hope that we begin to understand governmental control of our individual identities as oppressive of us all.

With that, let’s get to it.

The Latest

🏳️‍🌈 The pro-military GOP has a transgender “problem,” in that…trans people are 2x more likely to join the military and House Republicans don't like it. (The New Republic)

🏳️‍🌈In my last newsletter, I mentioned Kansas SB 180, which would remove Kansans’ ability to change their birth certificates and legal documents to match their gender identity. An LGBTQ+ rights group is fighting to block the legislation. (Kansas Reflector)

🏳️‍🌈 From Ohio Capital Journal, nationally, many of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws are being struck down on account of the fact that they limit free speech. However, in Ohio, the state house deployed a different tactic, gutting funding for three LGBTQ+-focused community projects.

🏳️‍🌈 A federal judge is Texas “has ruled that insuring against HIV transmission violates the religious freedom of companies objecting to LGBTQ+ people, leading insurance companies to be exempt from covering such medications.” (The Majority Report) It is still somehow worth noting that HIV is not unique to the LGBTQ+ community.

🏳️‍🌈 From Pennsylvania Capital-Star, “Male Anti-Abortion Religious Leaders Mull Charges for Pregnant People at National Event.” While the contents of this article are harrowing, I want to shout out the team in charge of this inclusive headline. While “cis male” might have made it better, one might be able to use deductive reasoning that the organizers of an anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-Muslim group would be filled with cis-men.

🏳️‍🌈 I mentioned last newsletter that we’re already seeing the implications of the Supreme Court’s 303 Creative ruling, clearing the way for businesses to deny service to LGBTQ+ people. In Michigan, a hair salon owner has suggested that trans and nonbinary people find a pet groomer instead of booking an appointment at her studio. (Michigan Advance, The Humanist Report) Such actions are forcing Michigan and other states to inspect whether they have enough LGBTQ+ protections in place. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

🏳️‍🌈 Republicans finally want to put a stop to mass shootings by making them a trans issue. (The Appeal)

🏳️‍🌈From The Nation, not only is solitary confinement inhumane, it disproportionately impacts trans people. And just in case you needed the reminder, LGBTQ+ rights are on the chopping block around the world.

The Positives

🏳️‍🌈 There is an LGBTQ+-affirming school set to open in Connecticut. (CT Mirror)

🏳️‍🌈 From TransLash, trans filmmakers are being celebrated at Outfest.

🏳️‍🌈 There are plans to add to the growing list of guaranteed income programs. (Prism)

–

You. Your being here is positive. Hang onto that these next two weeks. I’ll see you then.

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