I was reading today about how my US state is apparently one of the worst for trans people to get care in. It’s generally one of the worst for just about everything to do with being trans legally, and I realized how thankful I am that I was insanely lucky enough to get access to HRT, even though I have to drive to a different state to get it and it’s hella expensive compared to the other medications I have to take. But like holy shit, it’s been such an improvement in my life to have. It’s genuinely the first time in my life I haven’t looked towards the future with utter dread.
It sucks here in terms of the government and the attitudes of some people, and I’m moving out soon, but it’s still my home and I’m gonna miss it. When people say “just move to a better state/country” that’s not the solution they think it is. It’s a lot of emotional pain to leave behind one’s family, community, social ties, and culture. This shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Sending love to those of you who haven’t been able to access HRT or any other trans care that you need. You deserve to have access to those things. I hope for one day where those who want to go back home will be able to do so safely.
It is what it is. While that’s definitely a possibility, I still think there’s hope. If they take power and try to put that shit on us, then by God we’re fighting back like hell. There are many allies and people on our side, a lot more than the mainstream media likes to fearmonger. Even though I live in one of the worst places in the US to be trans (very red, very rural, deep south), I’ve still encountered supportive people and the majority are respectful about it and don’t make a stink. It’s the damn state government that’s the problem here, which has a very long history of being corrupt and shitty to minorities and the less privileged.
It’s also very possible that if we get a red government that it’ll become a states rights issue and blue states will protest and make a stink about it. Some blue states have already made refugee laws for trans people.
I think it’s also helpful to put it into the perspective of history. Reading about the civil rights movement and the gay liberation movement made me a lot more optimistic than I used to be.