Here we go again, suck my ontologically-fraught dick edition
Well hello!
It's been close to two years since I started this newsletter, and um about a year since I sent one. Lots of reasons! SO MANY. Here's something that I think is important, though: Even when I was most burned out, despairing, or distraught, whether over national or personal issues, what made me feel better was making change and doing things. For me, that is always grounded in acting locally. By locally I mean, I guess, "community based and community led." That can be a community you are already in, or a community you join. I will blather about this in SO MANY future newsletters!
Sure, I can post a 20-slide instagram story about Brett Kavanaugh (and I did!), and call senators, but I truly believe that doing meaningful actions with people is the best way to immediately help people and to begin to create lasting change. Community work isn't necessarily sexy headline time but it is powerful. Amd there are like 10,000 people on this list! Let's go.
Here are some ways to "act local" in the aftermath of yesterday's horrific news. I am sure there are million think pieces out there explaining why "defining people out of existence" is --do we have words left? Unspeakable? Horrific? State-sponsored violence? We've worn out the words.
I'm addressing this to the cis readers—would love to hear more ideas from trans folks. Maybe one of these actions can be your first step into joining a community of change.
Find a trans-led group working in your area
Whether they are feeding people, sheltering them, helping them survive or evade violence, or giving our trans family members meeting space, I assure you there is something near you. Pick up the phone or email. Ask how you can help. Do they need childcare for evening meetings? Do they need an account at their local Staples to get office supplies? Do they need to send to someone to a conference? Do they need an emergency hotel room fund for clients? Ask what they need, do not demand that they let you help, don't waste their time. Respect that they are being "defined out of existence." Be there for them, and show that it's not just for today. A great group here in NYC is AVP.
Donate to translifeline
Translifeline is a 24 hour trans-led hotline that gives direct assistance. Enough said.
Donate directly to trans folks in need
Katelyn Burns started a Twitter thread of gofundmes and other donation links for people who are trying to get medical care, name change paperwork, and other needs met before they are "defined out of existence."
Get direct with your friends
Give your trans friends keys to your house so they have somewhere to go if their living situation becomes untenable or if they are being followed and are afraid to go home. Give them your lyft account or whatever so they can call for a ride if they need it. Tell them you will go with them to the doctor. Tell them they can call you in the middle of the night to go to the ER. Ask them if they want you to go to the polls with them. "Get Out the Vote" doesn't account for the trauma of being misgendered, having to use a dead name, and other pressures around voting for the trans community.
Get direct at work
DOES YOUR OFFICE HAVE A FUCKING GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOM YET OR WHAT? I got my old office to do it when I told our egomaniac CEO that our competitors had one,
More ideas from Chase Strangio (my personal idol)
The brilliant Ericka Hart said something yesterday along the lines of "Rome wasn't built in a day, but it burned down in a day," and that's my current mantra.
Love,
Mikki
<3