Thank you for this. I am a psychologist and Program Manager for an LGBTQ clinic in a hospital in Missouri and we are facing absolutely unprecedented attacks from our state legislature. Almost 50 bills have been proposed in Missouri attacking LGBTQ folks, but mostly trans kids. Our clinic doesn't even work with kids, we only serve adults, but even we have been attacked by name on the floor of the legislature for even providing care to transgender people at all, and had our state funding threatened over our trans healthcare we provide. We are a safety net hospital, and they would love nothing more than to strip state funding for the entire hospital and blame it on us. I also chair our LGBTQ Employee Resource Group, and every meeting we are talking about these legislative attacks and how we can advocate and also take care of ourselves. We are weary and exhausted and it is only intensifying. It is pure evil. I feel like I just alternate between rage and numbness everyday. Things are hard right now, but I take solace in community, and finding joy in my personal life wherever I can. But thanks for being here.
Thank YOU for the critical work that you do—we can only imagine how exhausting and devastating it must be for you to have to be on the receiving end of such hate. Like you said, now is the time for all the different queer communities to come together in solidarity to put an end to these attacks on trans youth and beyond. Since sustained advocacy is both difficult to maintain and absolutely necessary, we also try to find each and every moment of joy that we can—whether it's texting with friends or looking at the birds in our backyard. Thanks for your message and know that we will be thinking of you, in solidarity! <3
Thank you for this. I am a psychologist and Program Manager for an LGBTQ clinic in a hospital in Missouri and we are facing absolutely unprecedented attacks from our state legislature. Almost 50 bills have been proposed in Missouri attacking LGBTQ folks, but mostly trans kids. Our clinic doesn't even work with kids, we only serve adults, but even we have been attacked by name on the floor of the legislature for even providing care to transgender people at all, and had our state funding threatened over our trans healthcare we provide. We are a safety net hospital, and they would love nothing more than to strip state funding for the entire hospital and blame it on us. I also chair our LGBTQ Employee Resource Group, and every meeting we are talking about these legislative attacks and how we can advocate and also take care of ourselves. We are weary and exhausted and it is only intensifying. It is pure evil. I feel like I just alternate between rage and numbness everyday. Things are hard right now, but I take solace in community, and finding joy in my personal life wherever I can. But thanks for being here.
Thank YOU for the critical work that you do—we can only imagine how exhausting and devastating it must be for you to have to be on the receiving end of such hate. Like you said, now is the time for all the different queer communities to come together in solidarity to put an end to these attacks on trans youth and beyond. Since sustained advocacy is both difficult to maintain and absolutely necessary, we also try to find each and every moment of joy that we can—whether it's texting with friends or looking at the birds in our backyard. Thanks for your message and know that we will be thinking of you, in solidarity! <3