This Pride month comes at a scary time. There have been literally hundreds of anti-trans bills and countless promises that given just the right amount of power, certain politicians would do their best to make our lives hell.
A recent Gallup poll suggests more than half of Americans disagree with the existence of trans people. In the years before misinformation campaigns and propaganda as news that percentage used to be in favor of trans people... but not by much.
I'm also seeing some fracturing in the LGBTQIA umbrella, with many suggesting that the only "true" people are "LGB" and the rest of us are mentally ill freaks. Great, fantastic.
Sometimes it feels like you're trying to paddle up a rapid by yourself. I came out about a decade ago and immediately lost my family. Nearly all of my friends followed suit. My best friend is the one childhood friend who didn't leave and even then I'm not her best friend. I did get my family back and some new friends like @Shop-Teacher and my Gambler 500 friends.
I am forever thankful to have such great people in my life. ❤️ It still pains me how many people would rather wish ill on me (and us) rather than just ignore something that doesn't effect them.
But I will continue to thrive in the face of their hate. Maybe I'll fly the flag from my dream rotary motorcycle in a parade this month.
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To Oppo's "Rainbow Mafia," keep being you. Every day you shine brings warmth into the world, and chills people who should know better. Be you, no matter the cost.
Otherwise, screw the haters, even the ones reading this right now.