Existence is Resistance: Now is Not the Time To Hide but To Shine
For those of us who are able to safely do so, even in the face of bigotry.
So I am the co-chair of the LGBTQ affinity group at the law firm where I work, and with that comes leadership responsibilities that I am more than happy to take on. One of those responsibilities is that I get to speak every year at our affinity-group fair to the new crop of young associates, wide-eyed and newly graduated from law school. This is where they have the opportunity to not only meet others in the firm, but join an affinity group to help make a difference.
I relish this opportunity when I stand in front of approximately fifty (50) plus peers in our largest conference room. My message is that the number one reason for joining the LGBTQ affinity group is visibility, and it can be a conversation starter. I want someone to join so when they go home to their families and friends, they can casually mention that they did this and that… and “Oh, and I joined the LGBTQ affinity group!”
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to bring awareness and visibility to a difficult subject. Twenty years ago if you asked me about the LGBTQ community, I probably would have said, “Oh, you mean the gay community, right?”
The all-important “T” in LGBTQ was just not talked about, let alone presented in a positive light — either in Hollywood or the media more generally.
If it were talked about and brought to the forefront, especially in a different political climate, I would like to think conservative people would not hold such a negative viewpoint of trans people — similar to how most people now view gay marriage as a norm (which I understand is under attack as we speak).
The misinformation that is disseminated by the far right is merely propaganda for the sole purpose of distracting from the wealthy establishing a kleptocracy. It is a money grab and an attempt to destroy the rule of law all at once. If we do not fight for this fragile experiment that our forefathers called a Democracy 250 years ago, then it can easily be taken away. We must fight for it and more importantly act as stewards for the next generation.
That is why now more than ever just existing as a trans person in this world is the resistance that is needed.
I have some conservative friends who were brainwashed by the right. But since I have come out and they actually know a trans person, they see that I am just like everyone else. Just trying to live my life without my existence being erased… Oh, and their viewpoints have changed to that of simply supporting me and being there for me at a time when the entire trans community needs it the most.
Not only is my existence resistance, I am often the one dispelling and knocking down all the right-wing propaganda spewed especially towards trans women.
I serve as a beacon of truth among all the fake news. I am not some statistic in a study, but a living and breathing trans woman who can admonish and denounce any propaganda that my friends believe to be truth. I often say to everyone I meet, “AMA / Ask Me Anything.” No question will offend me, because we need people to be informed with the truth.
In turn, my hope is that when our young law school graduates go back to their conservative friends and family, they can give a voice to the voiceless. I am not asking them to defend me as if their lives depended on it or even attempt to change their friends’/families’ minds. But if they hear these right-wing lies, they can say, “Well, one of my good friends is a trans woman,” or “I work with a trans woman and that is not even remotely true!”
Sometimes sowing a little truth in someone’s mind can make the difference in preventing misinformation and lashing out.
I know it sounds cliché, but I have started to echo the mantra:
“You are the Resistance.”
Of course, I borrowed this from the movie Terminator: Salvation. I even had a custom keychain made up with the phase “WeRtheResistance.” (I was limited by the number of characters.) You can see that in the picture at the top of this article. I want to let everyone know that if you see me and my small wristlet purse with that keychain dangling from it, you are not only safe with me, but you have an ally willing to stand up for what’s right.
There are more of us than there are of them. We just have to believe that change can happen and then follow through on resistance and not relent. For all you pessimists out there, let me just leave you with this:
- Protests are being organized and are working in every state.
- Boycotts are starting to take effect and affect billionaires’ obscenely large profit margins.
- Federal courts are striking down many executive orders by Russian Agent Orange and his accomplices.
Most importantly, many Trump voters who feel betrayed and who feel regret are now slowly but surely waking up after drinking the kool-aid. While we are still quite angry at them for voting the way they did, this resistance and ultimately revolution will help all of us to unite.
So I will leave you one last quote aimed directly at the entire LGBTQ community. From Terminator: Salvation, in one of the radio broadcasts from John Connor, the leader of the resistance against the machines trying eradicate humankind from existence. (Sounds familiar. doesn’t it?)
Above all, stay alive.
You have no idea how important you are
and how important you will become.
If you’re listening to this,
you are the Resistance.
You are all so important to the future so stay safe, stay alive and keep existing for existence is resistance.
All the Best!
- Amber
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