The figure was created by sculptor Stan Watts and “symbolizes the divine intervention as well as the man and his message of unity and resilience for which America stands,” according to the Trump Statue Project’s website.
I would encourage you to check out this post from Tilly Bridges. Her analyses of trans allegory in popular media are always fascinating! This one is absolutely spot on. For anyone not in the know: ‘Per aspera ad astra is a Latin phrase that translates literally as “through asperities (hardships, adversities, rigours) to the stars.”‘ (Wikipedia) Thus, Ad astra per aspera would roughly translate to “To the stars through adversity.”
Tilly promises a three-part series on the topic of this episode of Strange New Worlds. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Trans man “ElectricDade” on YouTube shares with you what every trans person in this country is feeling right now. Be prepared with tissues if you have any empathy at all. Tears flowed when I watched it this morning. I already knew what to expect. I am living this every day.
ICE is a rogue police agency that’s been given license to literally detain anyone they choose. Being a citizen is no protection. Carry your papers. Who knows when some armed thug in jeans and a face mask will come up on you and demand them.
Even the Nazis wore uniforms.
Due Process applies to everyone, or it applies to no one. If they can do this to American citizens of Latino descent, what stops them from doing the same to you? Are you cis-het, white, and male? No? Then you could be next.
The wife of a dear friend has begun a project to bring attention to the plight of trans people worldwide, and help cis people be better allies. Check it out.
I personally have remained active in the community since my transition back in late 2010. But I know many of the “elders” have gone stealth, and I understand that desire. I agree with Moriel though. Our community needs us. And we need them, especially now.
Excerpt from the post:
Today, though, there is an international movement to oppress us through the law and we are attacked nearly every day by transphobic politicians and activists. Today’s generation of people just coming to terms with their gender face a very hostile environment and have difficult obstacles to overcome. That is why I got back in touch with the trans community a few years ago after being absent from it for two decades.
The US government, under the current administration, is endeavoring to erase transgender people from current life, and to erase our existence from history. The erasure began day one of this administration with various anti-transgender Executive Orders. It continues to this day.
Recently, I ordered two handmade ring sets from a seller on Amazon. Yes, wedding ring sets. They are lovely, and Jenni and I were greatly looking forward to their arrival around the end of the month. Yesterday, the trade war with China appears to have significantly affected my hopes of receiving those rings. EDIT: This is changing even as I was writing this post. The chaos appears to be the point.
Yesterday, the President of the United States declared, by fiat, that I do not exist, and that my existence must not be acknowledged. My health does not matter, and my medical needs must not be covered. But I will not surrender. I will not lose hope. I will continue.
I am a well educated woman, a lesbian, and an eclectic Pagan. I am loving and giving. I am a caretaker type, who often fails miserably at self care. I have fibromyalgia, seizure disorder, and AFib.
I am complex, complicated, and worth the effort.
An Aging Trans Woman 