Miakoda
Yes, the government said they won't recognize who you are. ...I do. It's all the power I have at the moment. I see you.
In fact, go ahead and tell me about yourself, if you feel comfortable doing so. If all I can do right this minute is listen, and know, then that's what I'll fucking do.
Be you. It's an act of defiance, of resistance, of protest. If it's only safe to do so at home, it's stil counts!
Ronnie
@hellomiakoda
I'm not in the US, but am concerned because we have a federal election this year.
I'm non-binary. I had a new birth certificate issued last year to refect this knowing that the state government that won last years election was likely to change the laws again to remove that option.
One thing I take pride in is I help run an online peer support group for people that like me are queer and disabled.
Miakoda
@RonniesaurusHex
I'm glad you have that, and I hope you get to keep that boeth certificate.
The support group sounds pretty cool. Definitely not a skill I have.
Miakoda
@arisummerland
I haven't had the chance yet to gather up which of my friends are affected in what ways at what stages.
I have one friend who's out on bond...
In a red state. 😱
She says she made it though jail ok, but knowing her, she might not let on if it was traumatic, an effort to keep me from worrying.
Getting my passport was easy, because everything matches... I wish it was possible to somehow share that.
Ari does not comply
As a "Pride" present to myself in 2023, I had my birth certificate changed to X by my birth state.
This is not the state I live in now, which passed a draconian "Women's Bill of Rights" in 2023. 🤬🤬🤬
I did not get a chance to change my passport with the state department or update my records with Social Security before yesterday, however.
I didn't have the money, and tbh, I wasn't sure what was going to happen once November 2024 rolled around.
So, I waited.
That was... well, I def missed my chance to fight them on home ground.
Prior to 2023, my current state allowed "X" as a gender marker on driver's licenses. I have a friend with one of these coveted items.
Now, I'm worried that if they go anywhere -- in their car, or if they happen to travel on transportation that requires ID -- they are going to be detained. ☹️
I said to another friend today (the same notary who witnessed my papers for my birth state), when they checked in:
"Thanks. I'm no longer a person, but also, everyone in the United States is now female. Yesterday was shock and awe, but not unexpected."
I feel we are going to have to read very carefully and find all of the absolute ridiculousness in the shitstorm of babble that is coming from these ignorant, uneducated, single-minded, sadistic bigots.
Finding these little loopholes and points about which we can laugh (and also bogging them down in the courts re them) is the only way we will stay sane.
That, and unconditional solidarity.
Miakoda
@arisummerland
It shouldn't be so difficult for you. 😞
Ari does not comply
@hellomiakoda Had I made clear strides before this in FTM transition, perhaps I could've gotten everything switched to "M" ahead of time. But I haven't had surgery, I'm not on hormones, and M is still not my designation. It's X. So! I don't exist. 🤷
Miakoda
@arisummerland
You don't need to apologize for venting.
Being someone to vent to is something I'm fairly good at, and if it's helpful, I'm happy to be here for you in that capacity.
Ari does not comply
@hellomiakoda thanks and sorry. I'm feeling a little venty today. I'm in a deeply red state as well. Access to these things was nigh-on impossible before Monday. Now, 🤷 i'm old enough that it may never happen.
I hope your friend stays safe. ☹️
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