Post-Election Thoughts

We have hit a strange and, arguably, frightening moment in our cultural revolution.

Yesterday, November 8th, I had the incredibly privilege to go to John Jay Middle School in Katonah, NY and give a presentation for the Westchester branch of GLSEN to a room full of K - 12 guidance counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers, each eager (and desperate on the eve of such a historic day as today) to make a difference in the lives of their students. It was so heart-warming, and filled me with such a deep sense of pride and hope for the future. Ten years ago, when I was in high school, a struggling and deeply repressed transgirl trying to navigate the confusing, isolating world of adolescence, I never once imagined a future where trans health, safety, and policies would be at the foreground of concern within any academic setting. The word "transgender" was not used unless it was being whispered. Even then, there was shame to it - fear, stigma.

However, sitting there yesterday, relating my experiences during grade school, I felt an over-whelming sense of dedication and purpose within the room. The audience asked relevant, tactful questions: How can we make transgirls feel safe and accepted in gym locker rooms? How can we be more conscious and aware of those who may be gender nonconforming in regards to sports teams, gym classes, etc? What suggestions can you give in regards to promoting safer, more inclusive atmospheres for trans students in scholastic settings (ie. the classroom, guidance office, etc)? I felt so amazed and emotional that generations much older than mine were actively working to make trans safety and comfort a priority. I never imagined that I would see this so soon after my own transition, or that I would be fortunate enough to play a part in educating others, directly contributing to this ubiquitous cultural rebellion just by sharing my own experiences and narratives as a transwoman.

Out of the (~)30 people in attendance, about eight of them have directly worked with trans students, ranging from third grade to high school seniors. That statistic alone brought me to tears. In my high school, we had no open and out transgirls. Knowing that we have reached a point where at least eight trans folk in a single school are able to safely be open and out, living their authentic selves, was such a triumph, such validation for me - and for trans visibility in general. It means we are being seen, recognized, humanized for the very first time.

And then, last night - the election decision. It threatens to eradicate the progress we have made - to create further erasure of trans identities, trans history. With Mike Pence as his VP, Trump will almost certainly lead America down extremely frightening roads to anti-trans legislation. Pence was a firm proponent of the NC bathroom bills this past summer, and has remained a staunch advocate for aversion-conversion therapy and the stripping of LGBT rights. Likewise, Trump has already declared that he and Pence have plans to repeal bills that are vital to LGB and trans safety, equity, and well-being - ie. non discrimination policies, Title IX laws, marriage equality, trans protection policies, etc. etc. This is a terrifying moment. On the very brink of increased exposure and acceptance, and we are being threatened with being pushed back into the proverbial closet. The oscillating emotions are insane right now: the hopefulness and pride of yesterday afternoon's lecture meshed with the fear and anger at the fact that we as a collective country have actively chosen this loathsome man to act as our figurehead.

More than ever, I feel an obligation to our youth. They are the ones inheriting a country that sought fit to elect Trump. And it is not like the scars that are carved into us as a society will heal with another president in 2020. Trump's campaign of fear-based hate-mongering, xenophobia, ableism, sexism, etc. has stirred up and validated these sentiments throughout the country. This kind of blatant hate is being normalized by the most powerful position in the United States. Is that the level of greatness that Trump supporters wanted to reclaim?

I have been seeing a very humbling Tweet going around, that various sources have verified: eight trans children have already committed suicide since Trump was elected last night. EIGHT. The same number of trans children that existed within the school district I was working with yesterday. And that doesn't even include the youth suicides since last night that may have went unreported as being in connection with trans identity - it is not at all uncommon for families of trans individuals to misgender them in obituaries, or for the media to create identity erasure by using the wrong pronouns. Sometimes parents are ashamed of their children. Other times, they may be afraid of the repercussions of admitting they had a trans child - the retaliation, the stigma, the barrage of press that profits off of grief and bereavement.

We need to do something, to ensure a better future for our children. I can only imagine what it would have been like as a trans student in grade school, having trans idols to look up to, hearing trans narratives to be inspired by. We must not let the new presidency, this new surge in far-right hate, create erasure of ourselves. We must unify, make our voices heard, and do all that we can do not be silenced - attend protests and rallies, educate those around you, create art, correct someone who says something wrong, share things on social media - just be kind and try to stay on the correct side of history. It is imperative that we fulfill out obligation to protect our youth from their own confusion and fear - confusion and fear that this country has fostered by electing a titan of terror.

My method of combatting this horrifying moment is to delve into my work - to forge ahead with THE VENUS COMPLEX, so that I can complete it and hopefully make a difference in the lives of trans youth. When asked yesterday by a counsellor what message I would suggest spreading throughout schools to normalize and destigmatize trans identities, I very plainly said:

"Just be nice. Be accepting, be loving. Offer an ear to hear their stories - their successes and failures, grievances and joys. Lend a shoulder to cry on when the times are rough, because they will be. This life isn't easy, but it can be easier. Let them know that trans folk are everywhere - we are not all celebrities or actresses or public figures. We are everyday people - mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, lovers. We are all around, and just as deserving of love and tenderness as any other demographic on this planet."

If you can, please consider helping me with The Venus Complex by donating to the YouCaring campaign. More than ever before, I want to make this perfect. I owe it to the youth. I want to create a book that I would have been inspired by as a child, and that would have given me the desire to keep going, knowing that I was not alone. During this tumultuous political upheaval and insurgence of fear and hate, the message of love is more vital than ever.