this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023
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United States | News & Politics

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My daughter's America has become apocalyptic — safe states scattered, broken up by vast stretches of hostility

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[–] [email protected] 78 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

How people can choose hate and fear as a form of self-righteousness is the peak of narcissistic self-delusion. There's nothing noble about being a bigot. There's no honor in persecuting innocent people simply for existing. And it's the epitome of cowardice to try to destroy that which you do not understand. These people live in a state of perpetual terror and outrage with regard to the world around them, yet they arrogantly presume to tell everyone else how to live? How dare they.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

I couldn't agree more. Your statement is so pointed that I'm going to save it to refer to in the future.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 2 years ago

It's disgusting how Americans treats its own citizens.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I haven’t read the article yet but damn that’s a sobering title. We must do better in the US (and the world). Really frustrating that we keep falling into the same bigoted patterns rather than treating everybody as inherently worthy of bodily autonomy and respect. Batshit that people are making this out to be a states rights issue.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Batshit that people are making this out to be a states rights issue.

like slavery? and this surprises you?

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 years ago (2 children)

No, that’s why I said we’re falling into the same bigoted patterns as before. It’s not surprising but it is absolutely batshit that we keep rinsing and repeating the same cycle :/

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago (1 children)

sorry, my smarmy indignation wasn't aimed at you

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

All good! Totally valid and justified

[–] Spacebar 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It's because regressives only have a few plays in their playbook.

"Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.

The law cannot protect anyone unless it binds everyone; and it cannot bind anyone unless it protects everyone."

Trans people are the new constitutionally unprotected out group. So far, they can legally be discriminated against, and those who vote republican will focus on that. They won't focus on how they're being failed by the Republicans in economic matters.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Even in safe states there's plenty of assholes. It's sad really. These conservative Christians really need to judge not, turn the other cheek, and love the sinner.

[–] Spacebar 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

In Rhode Island, my very blue state, two guys in their 30's just got banned from the local Target for trying to dismane a Pride display in the store.

They kept yelling about "children come in here" as they were being escorted out.

The extremists have gotten very bold since Trump was elected.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago

If they gave a fuck about kids, they'd be clamoring to outlaw shit like child beauty pageants and child marriages. They don't care about old white men grooming little girls.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Yeah, I'm in one of those "safe" states right now, doesn't mean the amount of bullying and straight up assault has gone down, in fact, in the small rural town I live in it's probably more dangerous to be trans than it would to be so in Miami or Houston.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

CNY has felt pretty hostile since the 2016 election. We have so many trump flags, "dont tread on me" flags, and confederate flags that if you saw a picture you'd assume you were in florida. Don't even get me started on bumper stickers.

[–] Spacebar 20 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

As often happens when trans people are discussed, it appears that there are people who (willfully) mischaracterize gender affirming care for children. The standard care is therapy and social transition wayyyyyy before hormones and surgery. If a child asserts they are trans before puberty, a doctor may prescribe puberty blockers. For the most part, they are reversible. 12 year olds are not having sex reassignment surgery.

This whole anti-trans crusade is just the latest distraction Conservatives are orchestrating.

American Conservatives have made boogymen out of so many groups throughout history. Off the top of my head they have demonized:

American Revolutionists, slavery abolitionists, child labor activists, Anarchists, Women suffragates, Anti Segregationists, Interracial Marriage advocates,
Immigrationists, Members of the Civil rights movement, Environmentalists, Gays, Aids sufferers, Same sex spouses...

Trans people are just next on the list. Why? Because it gets their voters to the polls.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Conservatives make up shit to piss off their uneducated voter base and distract them from their corporate bullshittery.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Look at how many downvotes this thread received. It's mind boggling how large a portion of us, even in these seemingly progressive environments like kbin, are transphobic.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago

Hate is easy for people already damaged. It takes courage to work on yourself. I can't tolerate how any person want to degrade a less powerful community. Just a bunch of pathetic bullies.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

I think it's more that the article is a bit hyperbolic. I live in one of those 32 states that have laws on the books against trans people (and yes, I contacted my state reps to support trans rights), yet we still have a thriving trans community. Our states laws mostly restrict access to certain types of gender-affirming care to adolescents, but no such restrictions exist for adults. There are plenty of trans people and events here, and an overwhelming support for Pride Day and Pride Month activities in urban centers, so LGBT folks have a lot of community support.

I personally didn't downvote, but I considered it just because the article was a bit ridiculous. If you look at the US just 10-20 years earlier, it was way worse for LGBT people, so we're moving in the right direction, it's just two steps forward, one step back. And even if your state has laws on the books that limits access to certain types of care, that doesn't mean that trans people cannot live there, it just means the community needs to step it up so they feel comfortable.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm in a similar situation with my nonbinary kid and it terrifies me more every day.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

stay strong. your kid will see your strength and be inspired by it.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

No one spends more time thinking about other people's genitals than Christians do.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Yes, but what about all those poor politicians who need to pander to their deeply misinformed base? Won't someone think of the politicians!?

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