With it becoming increasingly clear that Donald Trump will almost certainly win the US election, the moderators and I felt it important to say a few words and direct people to crisis support resources.

We know this outcome is devastating for so many of us. It’s difficult to see the outcome we feared come to pass, and it’s completely understandable to feel heartbroken, fearful, or even numb. We need to come together as a community now more than ever. We need to support each other. We need to ensure no one is alone in their fear or pain.

The challenges ahead may seem insurmountable and frankly overwhelming, but our voices and actions are still powerful. Staying engaged in your local community, in advocacy, and ensuring our voices are not silenced is more crucial now than ever.

Crisis Support

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, here are some US-based resources (from GLAAD):

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

Now is the time to lean into local resources and community groups. The people around you, especially other LGBTQ+ advocates and allies, can be a source of great strength and stability. Here are a few ways to connect:

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.

Moving Forward

While the outcome is devastating, our community is strong. It’s important to remember that progress in queer and minority rights has always been a story of hard fought battles through adversity. In moments like these, we stand on the shoulders of those who fought the battles before us. This is a time to lean on each other, amplify our voices, and advocate for the protections and rights we deserve. Organize, reach out, educate, and support one another as we move forward. Every action counts — from contacting representatives to showing up for each other in times of need.

Please stay safe and take care of yourself, especially in the coming days.

  • Hello HotelEnglish
    1•2 months ago

    saying that culturally the south is 20-30 minutes outside of a population center is entirely inaccurate

    I dont know if there is any baggage on the idea of “Southern culture” im missing, but from what i can tell, its accurate.

    People in (at least) the poorer suburbs still make (what got labeled as) “trash food”, like casorols.

    In the country but also the wooded suburbs, deep red households put up large banners supporting trump.

    The TV companies broadcast old reruns of westerns for people like my grandma in the small towns.

    Go 20 to 30 miles from the heart of the major cities and you risk finding farmland.

    • cowboycrustation [he/him]MEnglish
      3•2 months ago

      Southern culture is not what you just mentioned. It is most definitely not a monolith as you’re describing it.

      There are a lot of sub regions of the south (such as southern Appalachian, south Atlantic, Cajun, etc). They are all very different from each other and while there are some similarities, there are a lot of differences too. One is in the way we speak. There are even varieties in southern accents. Lotta times you can tell what social class and region someone is from in the south based on their accent. Another is in the widely differing southern culinary practices. It’s not the monolith the media likes to paint it as.

      And culturally the south is also very different in a lot of ways. There is a strong culture of respect to elders and using your manners compared to most other places in the US. Despite what you see on the media, people tend to be non confrontational and being direct is not considered polite. If someone has an issue it’s usually talked about when the person is away or in a quiet tone. People are a lot less scheduled and regimented, as well as being friendlier with strangers even in the cities. I had genuine culture shock after I moved to rural new england for the first time. It was such a contrast. I could go on and on about the specifics of southern culture if you’re interested in that.

      I encourage you to read up on just how rich and diverse southern culture is. You didn’t say this directly, but by associating it solely with far right (presumably white) cishet MAGA Americans it actively diminishes the queer, people of color, and leftists who also are southerners and are proud of their culture. There’s a lot more of us than the media and Hollywood likes to portray it as. There is also a lot more cultural baggage to being a southerner when outside of the south because of history and media portrayal and people have a myriad of assumptions just because someone is from there. I’ve definitely experienced it.

      I would encourage you to visit and see for yourself but yeah, it’s getting unsafe right now. The government is shitty, corrupt, and bigoted. I don’t know if I’ll be able to return home and visit my family and community (that I cherish) after trump takes office because I am trans. That doesn’t make me love my home any less. My point is, southern culture is not defined by being a rural, lower class MAGA person.