Do Not Obey in Advance

For a pessimistic outlook on the immediate future of the United States, see here.

For a more optimistic outlook, see here.

The fact that the optimistic take is titled “Well, Shit” about sums up where we are. All of us are swimming in propaganda from Russia and elsewhere whether we’re aware of it or not. The particular messaging I’m getting based on the media I consume is probably trying to plant and nurture the seeds of despair, because if people like me assume democracy in the United States is already dead and authoritarian dictatorship is inevitable at this point, it’ll be that much easier for the dread to become reality. I’m aware of that, and still, it’s hard not to despair.

Prior to the election my plan going forward was to delete most of my social media presence and remove references to being trans from this space in the event that a Republican trifecta was the outcome. Now that that’s happened, I’ve had to reassess what’s possible and what makes sense to do. The argument for deleting everything is clear and compelling: It at least temporarily improves my safety in the event of anti-trans legislation and persecution by making it harder for me to find as a trans woman living in stealth. The downside is murkier but also real: I lose the ability do much of anything to openly resist the injustice that’s coming, and I also don’t get to just fucking live the life I want.

Going into hiding at this point would be a personal form of obedience in advance. Like the Washington Post deciding not to endorse a presidential candidate or Disney pulling a trans-themed episode in order to avoid potential conflict with the incoming administration, I might be able to buy some time, but unless something changes that conflict for people like me is inevitable. That’s abundantly clear now that the presence of a trans woman in Congress is being treated as inherently offensive by the right. I have no reason to suspect I’ll be treated any differently than Sarah McBride, the only difference is republican lawmakers don’t know I exist.

So if simply standing and breathing is enough to be offensive, there’s no point in ceding ground and trying to limit the visibility of my existence. There’s no compromise I can offer that will satisfy those who wish me to disappear. Instead I’ll be here, trying to survive and mitigate the damage the next four years (and who knows what else) will bring, and trying to make things a little better.