I have mixed feelings about this article, one side of me thinks that they should say and fight while my other side see the reality of of staying in a harmful environment.
As state laws target transgender children, families flee and become 'political refugees'
USA Today
By Marc Ramirez
October 29, 2022Key Points
- Most of the 300-plus bills proposed in 2022 targeting LGBTQ rights are aimed at transgender people, largely youth.
- As 2022 midterm elections approach, some parents worried about legislative attacks on their transgender kids are fleeing home states.
- Relocating to trans-friendly states can mean losing jobs, family ties and childcare -- and bring a higher cost of living.
For former Dallas writer and teacher Violet Augustine, the alarm bells first went off in October 2021, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill banning trans kids from playing on sports teams aligned with their gender identity.
Suddenly, the notion dawned on Augustine, whose 6-year-old trans daughter, Isa, is a skilled swimmer, that she might have to leave her native state. Probably within a decade, she figured. But when Dallas’ Children’s Medical Center announced a month later that it was shutting down its acclaimed youth gender-affirming care program, her time estimate shrank by half.
[…]
“This is a crisis,” said Kim Shappley, another former Texas resident parent who left the state with her transgender child this summer. “We have political refugees in the U.S., leaving with whatever they can fit in their car.”
[…]
“I’m hoping Beto (O’Rourke, Texas’ Democratic candidate) wins, but if he doesn’t, we’ll have to get out as fast as we can because it looks like things will spiral fast,” Phenix said. “We’ve been looking at Colorado, but the laws are changing everywhere, so we’re up in the air as far as where we’ll end up.”
With LGBTQ+ families leaving that means only the hard core anti-LGBTQ will be left in the state future propelling the state farther to the right. While those who cannot move are stuck in the state.
My other side of my brain thinks that should stay and fight for change.
What do you think?
I just finished an excellent article written by a lesbian Jewish artist who wrote of her family having to flee first Russia, then Europe. She is writing saying when is the time to leave, how much time do we have today before we have to flee again? I suppose the smart folks if they can, and that is always a big if, get out early. Or if you are a somewhat famous artist no problem but the rest have to stay and take what comes down the road or stay and fight. But who is fighting and standing with them? Why did it get to this point? When that ball really starts rolling who will even want to stick out their necks? Perhaps you know Diana is there funding for families who have to flee their states? I know I heard at one time there was supposed to be something set up for women who needed reproductive care. I suppose it is a bit more involved with families fleeing as it is not a one or two day but a whole new life. Perhaps this is a step that whatever is left of the Ct. LGBT movement could take. Get real deal state funding in place to help families. Wouldn't that be wonderful instead of the Gay INC Ct. Voice and Ct. Pride and their fluff, kitten petting, trinket gathering "isn't it all just wonderful," to do something real. Stop trying to sit in the chairs of those who have come before and celebrating your hollow selves. Where have the real activists gone? I am sure they are standing there shaking their heads at what we have become.
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