As election day nears in the United States it can be a stressfull, scary and anxious time for everyone. As such, the moderators and I felt it important to say a few words.
Remember that your voice is essential. Every vote counts, and showing up to the polls empowers our community and influences the change we deserve. If you have not yet voted, please ensure you have a plan.
The National Center for Transgender Equality offers an excellent checklist aimed specifically at trans voters. It contains instructions for what to do on voting day, as well as information to show to poll workers that advocates for your rights. Please print and carry the document with you.
Stay Safe While Voting
For those of you voting in person, prioritze your safety. Bring a friend if possible, stay aware of your surroundings, and remember it’s okay to leave and return another time if you feel unsafe. If you ever feel threatened, don’t hesitate to contact local authorities or seek a safe space nearby.
Crisis Support
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, here are some US-based resources (from GLAAD):
- The Trevor Project‘s 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or TrevorChat, their online instant messaging option, or TrevorText, a text-based support option. If you are looking for peer support, you can visit TrevorSpace from anywhere in the world.
- Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860
We do not consider the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a safe resource for the trans community due to their history of involving local law enforcement without the caller’s consent, which can result in indefinite detainment.
Mutual Aid and Support
Reach out for support or mutual aid if you need it. This community is available to all who need to discuss issues, get something off their chest, or find support. We allow mutual aid requests with prior approval from the moderation team, so reach out to us. In addition, the following communities and resources are available for mutual aid or support:
- Blahaj has a community Matrix free for anyone to join.
- The Trans Housing Network Chat helps connect unhoused people, or people in unsafe housing, to those able to provide temporary shelter. Contact xilliah@beehaw.org to join.
- Mutual Aid Hub has a list of mutual aid resources across the United States
- The aforementioned TrevorSpace offers peer support globally
- If there are any other resources we’ve missed, please direct message me on Matrix @emily:mtrx.nz or leave a comment
The best mutual aid and support is local. We encourage everyone to research trans advocacy groups around them, local queer facebook pages, and keep connected with their community.
A Personal Note from Emily
As someone watching from Australia, I want you to know that you are not alone in this. The international community is watching this election closely, and most of us feel a deep anger that your rights can be and are on the ballot.
This specific trans community and each member is extremely important to me. You make the world a better place. I care deeply about your safety, your voice, and your wellbeing. No matter how things seem right now, know that there’s a global community standing in solidarity with you, holding hope, and offering support in every way we can.
Please stay safe, take care of yourself, and reach out for support when its necessary.
Well, hence the ‘if the cops in your area aren’t absolute dogshit’ disclaimer, with a list of a state-specific plan-b’s contingent on the cops in your area infact being absolute dogshit.
I, perhaps naively, like to cling to the belief that there are at least few departments that adhere to the community-servant ideal concept of applying their power… But again, if that unicorn doesn’t describe your local dept, there’s the list.
That disclaimer isn’t good enough and it implies that not all cops are dangerous. I live in a place with about the ‘least’ amount of cop violence and queerphobia and I have friends who have been beat up and harassed by the cops for being queer.
Don’t normalise cops in trans spaces, it can get people hurt.
Can confirm, I have a trans friend IRL who was followed into a parking lot by an off-duty police office and physically assaulted by him unprovoked. It’s fair to assume no police are safe for trans folks.
Well fuck, sorry to hear that. I live in the cousin-fuckingly deep south and have always kinda hoped that shit was better in the more sane states.
Addendum:
Bring a CIS vanilla ally, and if shady shit happens, get the fuck out of there while they make the call.