As a parent of a 15-yr old trans person in CA, this has been on my mind constantly for the past month. I’ve also reached out to various LGBTQ2IA+ organizations (Brave Trails for example) that our family is part of to put together some resources and informational calls for the trans youth/parent community to help them through their own decision trees. This is such a useful post, which I will share widely! Thank you and perhaps you would consider a speaking role on some of those calls?
Thank you ❤️ this was comforting, in a strange way I guess because like WTF but also thank you for the reminder that I’m not overreacting and that making an imperfect plan is better than not having a plan at all
I’m trans/nonbinary and I’ve in IL, so I already feel safer than so many who live in red states but this has been weighing on me heavily regardless of my home state. Thank you. This has helped kickstart me thinking practically about my own situation and things I can do. Truly appreciate your openness Flint and sharing all of this with so many!
Felt really good to read this. I hope it gets shared widely. I think this essay is a great starting point for group discussions. And THANK YOU for the part where you make it easy/approachable to just do something.
Oh Flint. Thank you. I read the "are you overreacting? Probably not." section multiple times, tears of relief and validation on my cheeks.
My husband and I have spent the weekend discussing what it would look like to leave the country, what things would trigger that move, and on what timeline. We've wondered if we can afford it (the answer is likely yes, if I withdraw my retirement), if it's selfish to go, if we'd ever get to come back. I have a lot of queer friends IRL but not a lot of them are trans. This feels so isolating because I know most of them are not spending their weekend researching immigration requirements or pre-grieving having to give away their plant collection. Thank you for being a point of connection to the larger trans community. I needed these words today.
This. This is the post that I’m finally deciding to subscribe to this sub. Not just for the call to action at the bottom (I’d decided a little higher up!), but because I am so deeply loving this longer form of writing. Flint, it seems you were born to write with this unique voice that is audible while reading. You’re right - as a queer person, I didn’t need one more fcking article about calling my senators (I call them every day lately in my best Disgruntled Farmer Voice, and honestly, I’ve never been convinced it does anything anyway). I did need some of your kindness though - so thanks for that. Best of luck to you and Xilo, and I can’t wait for you to have the most fun and tell us all about it.
Come to Canada. Things are definitely not perfect but they are safer than the US at the moment and likely a little easier than Europe in terms of relocation. We would love to have you. At least some of us would. Stay safe.
I am so fearful of everything happening right now, I would like to be out of the country for good in the next 10 years, but I may have that luxury of time compared to trans people right now. The violence and hatred being directed at a group that makes up such a small percentage of our population, it’s appalling.
Rational people are still out there, I agree that we all need to fight this and speak out. The first targeted groups have been trans people and immigrants, who will it be after that?
I'll add movement towards making the use of gender changed identification a felony.
That's a bold red line for me. I'm not sure if that's an immediate leave or within 6 months, but I'm leaning towards the former, as it's a big step towards camps.
I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and share your perspective. The way you’ve broken things down into different levels of urgency is really helpful—I’ve been trying to think through my own red lines, and this gives me a lot to consider.
The point about starting job and visa applications if the executive branch stops following the judicial branch really stands out to me. That kind of breakdown in government function would be a huge red flag. The idea of not being able to work, own property, or access banking is also something that would push me to take action.
It's all scary and a lot to consider. I'm keeping my eye on both how this government intends to treat us trans folks (the shorter timeline items) and how far down the path to fascism the US is headed regardless of one's gender (the executive branch ignoring the rule of law would likely be an early sign of much worse to come, hence it being on my list).
I am so scared… I honestly am trying to leave the country as soon as possible but I don’t have a well respected job or skills. It’s impossible to get a visa without that.
I’m thinking about writing a post or note about this. But to be clear, obtaining official refugee status sounds incredibly difficult and time consuming, and requiring more documentation than moving internationally without it.
I also heard that in Canada, once you apply for asylum once, you can never apply again. And in Canada, they’re not currently considering the US enough of a threat to allow us as refugees (yet).
As a parent of a 15-yr old trans person in CA, this has been on my mind constantly for the past month. I’ve also reached out to various LGBTQ2IA+ organizations (Brave Trails for example) that our family is part of to put together some resources and informational calls for the trans youth/parent community to help them through their own decision trees. This is such a useful post, which I will share widely! Thank you and perhaps you would consider a speaking role on some of those calls?
Thank you ❤️ this was comforting, in a strange way I guess because like WTF but also thank you for the reminder that I’m not overreacting and that making an imperfect plan is better than not having a plan at all
I’m trans/nonbinary and I’ve in IL, so I already feel safer than so many who live in red states but this has been weighing on me heavily regardless of my home state. Thank you. This has helped kickstart me thinking practically about my own situation and things I can do. Truly appreciate your openness Flint and sharing all of this with so many!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You make the world a better place and we need your words.
Felt really good to read this. I hope it gets shared widely. I think this essay is a great starting point for group discussions. And THANK YOU for the part where you make it easy/approachable to just do something.
Oh Flint. Thank you. I read the "are you overreacting? Probably not." section multiple times, tears of relief and validation on my cheeks.
My husband and I have spent the weekend discussing what it would look like to leave the country, what things would trigger that move, and on what timeline. We've wondered if we can afford it (the answer is likely yes, if I withdraw my retirement), if it's selfish to go, if we'd ever get to come back. I have a lot of queer friends IRL but not a lot of them are trans. This feels so isolating because I know most of them are not spending their weekend researching immigration requirements or pre-grieving having to give away their plant collection. Thank you for being a point of connection to the larger trans community. I needed these words today.
This. This is the post that I’m finally deciding to subscribe to this sub. Not just for the call to action at the bottom (I’d decided a little higher up!), but because I am so deeply loving this longer form of writing. Flint, it seems you were born to write with this unique voice that is audible while reading. You’re right - as a queer person, I didn’t need one more fcking article about calling my senators (I call them every day lately in my best Disgruntled Farmer Voice, and honestly, I’ve never been convinced it does anything anyway). I did need some of your kindness though - so thanks for that. Best of luck to you and Xilo, and I can’t wait for you to have the most fun and tell us all about it.
Thank you.
Come to Canada. Things are definitely not perfect but they are safer than the US at the moment and likely a little easier than Europe in terms of relocation. We would love to have you. At least some of us would. Stay safe.
I am so fearful of everything happening right now, I would like to be out of the country for good in the next 10 years, but I may have that luxury of time compared to trans people right now. The violence and hatred being directed at a group that makes up such a small percentage of our population, it’s appalling.
Rational people are still out there, I agree that we all need to fight this and speak out. The first targeted groups have been trans people and immigrants, who will it be after that?
At this point, I wish everyone would just wear a mask to, at least, help everyone from getting sicker or die.
If that would happen, I might have hope that people I know wouldn’t turn me in given the choice between their comfort and my life.
If people are comfortable sharing, what is your bold red line that separates preparation and action? I am trying to decide what my own will be.
To leave immediately: they are rounding people up/opening up camps
To leave within 1-6 months: citizenship f*ckery. Especially if I'm no longer allowed to work/own property/have assets and bank accounts
To leave within a year: federal abortion ban, and that timeline shortens if they also ban contraception
To start applying for jobs and visas: the executive branch decides not to abide by the judicial branch's decisions
I'll add movement towards making the use of gender changed identification a felony.
That's a bold red line for me. I'm not sure if that's an immediate leave or within 6 months, but I'm leaning towards the former, as it's a big step towards camps.
I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and share your perspective. The way you’ve broken things down into different levels of urgency is really helpful—I’ve been trying to think through my own red lines, and this gives me a lot to consider.
The point about starting job and visa applications if the executive branch stops following the judicial branch really stands out to me. That kind of breakdown in government function would be a huge red flag. The idea of not being able to work, own property, or access banking is also something that would push me to take action.
It's all scary and a lot to consider. I'm keeping my eye on both how this government intends to treat us trans folks (the shorter timeline items) and how far down the path to fascism the US is headed regardless of one's gender (the executive branch ignoring the rule of law would likely be an early sign of much worse to come, hence it being on my list).
Good luck out there, friend.
We are there
Sending love and thoughts from the UK great read. I've just subscribed ☺️
We have passed the point.
I am so scared… I honestly am trying to leave the country as soon as possible but I don’t have a well respected job or skills. It’s impossible to get a visa without that.
I am not an expert by any means, but here is some information on US citizens trying to get refugee status: https://www.relocate.world/articles/us-citizens-seeking-asylum
I’m thinking about writing a post or note about this. But to be clear, obtaining official refugee status sounds incredibly difficult and time consuming, and requiring more documentation than moving internationally without it.
I also heard that in Canada, once you apply for asylum once, you can never apply again. And in Canada, they’re not currently considering the US enough of a threat to allow us as refugees (yet).
I’m so sorry. I will keep you in my heart.