LGBTQ+ People Are Not Going Back

Be loud!

This is a brief newsletter in support of the mass action proposed to take place on this date — December 3, 2024 — by Julia Serano (supremely influential transgender activist and author of Whipping Girl) in response to the US Democratic Party’s expressed intent to abandon trans people in the wake of the election of Donald Trump. Dr. Serano has asked that everyone with a platform who cares to do so to speak out against the Democrats’ capitulation to Republicans on trans policies, including, among other things, their proposed federal building bathroom ban.

I am not a citizen of the United States, but my partner is, as are many of my friends and loved ones. There is, furthermore, no part of the world where queer people will be unaffected by the course of US politics. The continuing attempts of Republican lawmakers to, in the words of Dr. Serano, "censor books and digital media penned by all queer creators" will affect me very directly. With a little over five and a half thousand of you subscribed to this newsletter, I feel it is my duty to use this platform for something worthwhile every once in a while.

The Democrats rely on the LGBT vote to get elected, and it seems they have forgotten that that vote can be taken away. If you are American, let them know that! We can’t let them give up on us without a fight.

Dr. Serano has written some helpful instructions for contacting your reps:

If you go to the Congress.gov Find Your Members website and enter your zip code, they will provide the names and phone numbers for your congressperson and senators. If you additionally wish to contact your state legislators, you can find them via 5calls.org by entering your zip code. The specific page I linked to there provides a script produced by 5calls for opposing anti-trans legislation at the state level. Some of you might find it useful in its own right (especially with 2025 state legislative sessions around the corner) and/or as a template for this action.

Like I said, I’m not going to tell you what to say, plus it will likely differ depending on who your representatives are, your own personal political leanings, and countless other factors. But here’s what I personally plan to say to my Democratic representatives in a “safe blue” state — feel free to borrow or adapt this language if it suits your purposes:

Hello _____, my name is _____ and I’m a constituent from _____. As an LGBTQ person [or ally, or family member of, etc.], I am calling to express my dismay at the number of Democratic politicians who have proposed retreating from trans rights since the election, and the lack of Democratic pushback to speaker Johnson’s and representative Mace’s congressional and proposed federal anti-trans bathroom bans. It’s clear from states where Republicans hold a trifecta that they will not stop with restrooms, or sports, or with trans people — their goal is to roll back all LGBTQ+ rights, censor all LGBTQ+ content, and force all LGBTQ+ people out of the public sphere.

We need our Democratic representatives (like you) to vocally speak out and push back against [and filibuster, if speaking to a senator] any and all anti-LGBTQ+ policies and legislation. Democrats also need us: LGBTQ+ people comprised 8% of voters in November’s election, 86% of whom voted for Vice President Harris. So I urge you to work together with our community to fight back against this GOP anti-LGBTQ+ onslaught starting now! I promise, I will remember what you did in this moment — whether it be strongly standing up for us, or capitulating to Republicans’ anti-LGBTQ+ moral panic — when time comes for the next election cycle. Thank you for your consideration.

NOTE: 5calls.org also suggests that if you end up leaving a voice mail message, you should “leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.” If you feel uncomfortable doing this, I perfectly understand, just sharing the recommendations I have on hand.

If you do not already follow Julia Serano, I highly recommend keeping up with her work, either via her newsletter or medium. She is one of the most important voices working in support of transgender rights in this godforsaken moment.

Keep an eye on this page to see a list of other publications participating in this action, which will be updated with links to their pieces throughout the day. Of the articles I’ve seen so far, I recommend this one in particular.

Thank you so much for your time.

Your humble servant,
St John Starling