In case you have been wondering, yes I am intentionally lying low. In today’s world, with all that the government is doing against trans people, it makes sense to avoid making too many waves. “Existence is Resistance” as the phrase goes. For now, at least, that will be the extent of my resistance. Why? Well, here’s one good reason.
The Justice Department is considering a proposal that would, following President Donald Trump’s earlier ban on transgender Americans serving in the U.S. military, declare trans people mentally ill in order to strip them of their Second Amendment rights, officials familiar with the matter told CNN.
I don’t own any guns. But this is absolutely preparatory to the beginnings of a pogrom against trans people. Disarm us, and we can’t fight back when they come for us. Second Amendment? What’s that?
And then there’s this:
FBI to Categorize Trans People As “Nihilistic Violent Extremist” Threat Group, Report Says | Them
According to a September 18 report by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, two anonymous national security officials said that the Bureau is discussing treating trans subjects as a subset of its new threat category, “Nihilistic Violent Extremists” (NVEs), which was created earlier this year. The Bureau defines “Nihilistic Violent Extremism” as “criminal conduct… in furtherance of political, social, or religious goals that derive primarily from a hatred of society at large and a desire to bring about its collapse by sowing indiscriminate chaos.”
As such, it only makes sense to back off. To be quiet for now. So if you don’t see me as much, maybe that’s why. I said I would never let the fascists defeat me. “Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum!” I claimed. And yet, it feels like that’s exactly what I am doing. But I have people now in my life, whom I care deeply about, who might be threatened by my activism. It’s not just me I am putting at risk.
And the journey continues, if more quietly for now.
An Aging Trans Woman 
No, you’re not letting anyone win by staying safe. It’s not as if you’re hiding in your basement, or something. You’re simply not making waves, as you said. Nothing wrong with that; you can stay and play another day. We all have to get through this, and safety is a priority for everyone. You have IRL community, and can work together to be and stay safe, fed, etc. It’s a good plan for most of us right now, I think.
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Thank you Ali! 🫂 💜
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