"We're Moving Forward"
Some thoughts as we move into Inauguration Day
I want to share some thoughts tonight, on the eve of the second Trump administration. I know a lot of creators are asking for your time today, so I’ll try to keep this much briefer than normal.
First - if you’re scared, I’m with you. We may be scared of different specifics, and we may each have more or less to be scared of, but I join you in this and I want you to know that you are, in no way, alone.
Second, if you feel that fear is an overreaction, I want you to hear this: I want you to be right. That’d be amazing. Few things would make me happier. But I think you know the things he has promised to do, and if you don’t, you should go read my previous post just on what he has said he would do. Please, please stop telling trans people that Trump isn’t going to harm us, when he has said he will. Rather, work with us to make sure he doesn’t carry out what he said he would do.
But for those who are afraid, angry, tired, or any other similar emotions tonight, here’s a few thoughts mean to make us feel a little less powerless.
We’re going forward
Trump, famously, and in a common tactic of fascism1, appeals to the mythical past with his phrase “Make America Great Again.” This imagines some time in the past that was better than now that we need to go back to. I continue to not hear many Trump supporters actually be willing to say when this better time was.
Kamala Harris did better with, “We’re not going back,” but (armchair diagnosis incoming), being against what your opponent wants to do, but not having that much of your own vision, is usually not going to inspire people. A campaign that only envisions a lack of regression, but not any progress, is a hard sell.
So, I’m not campaigning for anything, but may I suggest we all think about this: We’re going forward.
Yes, I know, the laws in many states aren’t going to go forward. But hear me out.
The Stonewall Riots kicked off the gay rights movement in earnest in 1969. No, they were not the first thing to happen. And yes, they were actually started by trans women. But they were a watershed moment. But gay marriage didn’t become the law of the land until 46 years later, in 2015.
Being transgender was pathologized by the medical world until the DSM-V came out in 2013. The Affordable Care Act only started covering gender affirming care in 2016.
Prior to that, in the latter half of the 20th century, trans people were often presented as comical in TV and film2.
I can’t speak authoritatively on how progress has felt for other marginalized groups, but strides have been made, and that’s despite frequently having governments opposed to them.
So… we are going forward.
If only to encourage myself, I wanted to list some things we can do regardless of what Trump does that will only strengthen writes for LGBTQ+ people. Similar things could be done for other marginalized groups, but I’m speaking from what I know best.
Education - We can keep educating people about trans issues and the rights that we need. (For example, my latest episode of my YouTube Channel, once again featuring
, is up now! Go check it out and don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there! Lots more good stuff coming!)Visibility - For those of us who can do it safely, stay visible - the more people who know us, the more people will have a hard time seeing trans people as an abstraction.
Community - We can continue to build relationships within the trans community - we can support each other and fight for each other.
Organizing - We need a new generation of politicians who truly supports those that Jesus referred to as “the least of these”. Who are unwilling to throw a small marginalized group under the bus in order to benefit the majority. The Tea Party was borne out of outrage at the Republican party in 2008, and (this may be controversial), I think those of us on the left can learn a lot from that about what it looks like to transform a party from within, seeing as how today’s Republican party is farther right than even Tea Party folx could have dreamed in its early years.
Support - If Trump tries to crack down on our rights, we need to work together to make sure each of us has what we need. Mutual aid will be even more vital going forward.
Hyper-local to State-level wins - We can work on neighborhood groups to churches up to school boards up to city councils up to county positions up to state government to move things in the right direction at every level, building up that new generation of leaders in the process.
Take care of ourselves - Existence is resistance. Those of us who are transitioning, every step we take is a step they can never take away from us.
Inspiring Allies - the fight for trans rights cannot be successful without passionate, engaged allies. We need them (you, if you’re reading this). I need to work to inspire them.
Ok, I said I’d keep this short, but in the spirit of building feelings of empowerment amongst ourselves, would you consider leaving a comment with something you plan to do to move things forward regardless of what’s coming down from the top?
Finally - everyone needs to treat themselves kindly the next few days. Do not give up no matter how bad the initial wave of executive orders and congressional bills is. We will push back. We won’t make this easy on those who try to harm us.
Sending you love and hugs, and letting you know I’m not going anywhere.
-Celeste
Read Jason Stanley’s book, “How Fascism Works” before you get upset at me using this word.
Thank you, Celeste! Going forward I plan to continue working with a local group that advocates for justice for marginalized groups, and especially for the LGBTQIA+ community. We are planning ways to be more visible in the media and on the street, and to break through the disinformation that will emanate from the regime over the next four years.