Dem
47
GOP
53
In 1999, a group of trans activists established the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is set aside to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia. We think this day is particularly germane this year (and for the next four), because—as we have noted on other occasions—we think the rhetoric of people like J.D. Vance and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) could very well encourage fanatical Trumpers to take matters into their own hands.
Reader S.B. in Winslow, ME wrote in with a few thoughts, and we thought it would be appropriate to share them:
Imagine the one thing that defines you—an immutable aspect of your identity—suddenly made illegal. Now imagine that not only is this essence of who you are illegal, it's more than just a fine. The government is going out of its way to erase you from society. If you are a person of color, an indigenous American, or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you've felt that in the past and you likely still feel the ramifications of it now.
As a transgender woman, I feel that more now than ever.
I always knew the conservative factions had a problem with trans people. I was a member of conservative churches for many of my younger years and I work in the nuclear power industry—a field saturated with conservative politics. My decision to "come out" and live my authentic life cost me my only child, a marriage, many friendships, and to some extent "being heard" in the workplace. Women will understand what I mean by the latter.
(V) and (Z) learned that only two people in federal prison had gender-confirmation surgery, and yet literally millions of dollars were spent to create a millstone to hang around Kamala Harris' neck. To my knowledge, there have been zero incidents of a trans person (specifically a trans female) assaulting someone in a women's restroom. If I'm wrong on this, I have to believe the number is able to be counted on one hand.
And yet, transgender people, especially transgender women, have become the new face of moral/liberal evil in America. Every year, 20 to 60 trans women are murdered simply for existing. Think about this: More trans women are murdered every month than received gender confirmation surgery in prison in the entire time since the operation was allowed.
As a friendly acquaintance of Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), I both root for her and fear for her. Prior to this election, people like she and I were disdained by an angry minority of people. With the upcoming change in government, this angry minority has shown itself to be a pervasive majority and will again have power to implement laws that will harm us. I am grateful that she will be a representative for all transgender people in the House of Representatives. I am fearful that she will also be a target. It is my sincere prayer that we never read her name on a future Transgender Day of Remembrance.
What's different about you? How would you feel if that difference was made in the face of moral evil? How would you feel if others like you were being murdered solely because that's who you are? How would you feel if the new administration has a proven track record and has clearly voiced their intention to eliminate you?
I don't like closing messages of darkness on a note of darkness. I am a child of Light. While my LGBTQIA+ friends and allies are deleting social media accounts, setting up "safe houses," and otherwise preparing for a targeted attack from the government fomented in anger and the people who elected it, I am choosing to be light. I recently published a novel featuring a sparrow named Wren who undergoes an inner transformation toward light in her search for truth. I plan to promote that. I plan to create Instagram videos encouraging hope. I plan to speak where I can to speak hope. Even one candle can overcome perfect darkness. I am one such candle, and I refuse to be extinguished. And should it be so that my voice is silenced because of who I am, know that I am not the one who lit my wick. It was the Divine Light within me, and that Light is never fully overcome.
Thanks so much, S.B., and good for you! (Z)