$215 million. That is how much Republicans spent in television ads directing stirring up hate toward the transgender community during the recent campaign cycle. That’s approximately $134 for every transgender person in the United States.
The Trevor Project reports that their call volume went up 700% after it was clear Donald Trump won the election. They are also seeing an increase in prank calls—people calling not to receive help, but to harass the volunteers.
LGBTQIA+ folks are afraid. The trans community and their families are afraid. Trump has pledged to roll back protections for transgender and gender nonconforming youth, including forcing outings, misgendering pronouns, bathroom and locker room use. He has talked of banning gender affirming care — entirely for youth, and preventing Medicare/Medicaid coverage for care, pulling funding for hospitals/clinics providing care, etc. He has announced plans to prevent the changing of gender markers on federal ID (like Passports and Social Security). He has spoken about a nation-wide ban of transgender people in sports.
He has been riling up his base — and anyone else who will listen — to inspire fear and hatred.
If you see those in the trans community rushing to get passports or looking into options for their ongoing care or exploring looking into immigration possibilities, this is why.
And, of course, the trans community is not the only group at risk in the days to come. Immigrants, people of color, those with uteruses, disabled people —anyone who does not fit the white nationalist ideal— are at risk.
So what do we do?
I keep seeing people — particularly white, cishet men suggesting it is too late. Hear this: it is not too late! Fascism relies on people feeling hopeless. But fascism can be defeated. We have defeated it in the past.
Don’t know what to do? Here are some resources to help.
Articles that are great for getting your bearings:
On Organizing - Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
Now is the Time for Action — Heather S. Fleming
Journalists to follow (and support!) to learn more about issues facing the trans community:
Want more ways to support the LGBTQIA+ community?
Connect with your local Equality Federation org. If you have extra dollars, they are great places to support — particularly aim your dollars at the orgs working in red states. I personally adore PROMO in Missouri.
Help trans kids and their families who live in one of the 25 states where their healthcare is banned travel to get the care they need. The Campaign for Southern Equality has an emergency fund.
Educate yourself! The journalists above are a great place to start. You can also find resources at Trevor Project. Dear friends you should follow: Billieiswriting, Celestial Navigation, Good Queer News.
Speak out! We need you to start helping your friends and neighbors know the real stories of trans lives. Talk about what you learn, speak out against dis/misinformation and transphobia. The transphobic voices are loud — we need you to be louder.
Jennifer, this is exactly what we need. Thank you for your usual clear, insightful, and courageous communication, for offering direction, for teaching, for not giving up on us or the country as you navigate graduate work, family, future, and the uncertain realities of life under the influence of a party of hate and fear. You are a trusted voice, right up there with Brueggeman, Suleika Jaouad, Bonhoeffer, Rauschenbusch, Harriet Tubman, R. Rohr.... I keep reminding myself, there are 71 + million of us. May it be a good day.