Thread by @AlexPetrovnia

For those of you who are not aware, a piece of extremely transphobic legislation passed the Texas house yesterday, #HB25. Over on @StepUp4Trans I'm going to discuss the exact nature of what happened and its implications, but here I want to get a bit more personal. 🧵

I want to talk about why this happened. Because I listened to 6+ hours of legislative proceedings yesterday of people who hate trans kids, especially trans girls, and I am appalled.
This happened because it was allowed to happen. This happened because there won't be consequences.

The thing that struck me most about the proceedings was that even though there were impassioned speeches by trans kids and their allies, even though there were statistically backed, logical arguments against the bill, it didn't matter. The bill passed.

Over a dozen amendments intended to reduce harm by the bill were brought forward. Without fail, they were shot down.
The voting split was nearly identical each time.

You can follow along with my live-tweets of the proceedings here if you'd like.

https://twitter.com/StepUp4Trans/status/1448735951736512512?s=20

Partway through the proceedings, I posted this. I was constantly posting ways to spread the word and contact representatives. How many people "liked" this and then proceeded with their day?

https://twitter.com/AlexPetrovnia/status/1448782037599592457?s=20

Because here's the truth. These transphobic bills exist, and are passing, because transphobia is still socially acceptable. These legislators know that they won't lose their seats over this. They know that they will be allowed to continue, even cheered on by some people.

It's important that we understand the stakes here. I genuinely don't believe that cis allies have thought long and hard about the stakes of these bills. I know it's uncomfortable.
Children are going to die. Inaction is complicity.

https://twitter.com/EqualityTexas/status/1448691608128471040?s=20

If we allow interactions like this from elected representatives, we allow state-sanctioned abuse of trans children. How are they so comfortable avoiding the truth?

https://twitter.com/EqualityTexas/status/1448702666444578818?s=20

The truth is, I'm reeling. Writing this thread alone is taking everything I have right now. And talking to you all at large right now, it's difficult not to be angry.
How many of you scroll past my legislative tweets? How many of you RT and don't contact your reps?

These bills pass because they are socially acceptable. Transphobia, even absolutely blatant transphobia, is acceptable *because we allow it to be*.
Allies who only stand up for trans people TO trans people, and not our oppressors, are not allies. You are complicit in this.

I ask for happy things to cope and I get dozens of replies instantly. I ask for people to write messages of support to trans youth (in twitter comments!), and I get silence.
That silence is deadly.

Trans allies. We NEED you. We've needed you desperately all year.
YOU are the person we've been waiting for, because we need EVERY one of you to #StepUpForTransKids in order to keep them safe from circumstances like this.
We need YOU.

So what can you do?
I'm going to list things.
Firstly, if you live in the United States, PLEASE use this resource to learn about anti-trans legislation in your state, and CONTACT YOUR REPS in support of trans youth.
stepup.maclanelibrary.com

Secondly, support trans people right now. We desperately need it. Whether it be monetarily (trans people drop your need posts) or emotionally (cis people, write messages of support here). I want to see this tweet blowing up with replies!

Thirdly, STAND UP to transphobia when you see it. YOU are the person we've been waiting for, and we cannot afford to wait any longer. Children are dying. What could possibly be more worthwhile, than to simply SPEAK to help protect children's lives?

Fourthly, prioritize trans voices on trans issues. Do NOT fall for propaganda and fearmongering presented by cis "allies" and those who openly hate us. Reflect critically on all takes you see about trans people, and remember - we're just trying to live our lives in peace.

Without speaking in open support on trans issues, the loudest voices are going to be those who hate us. And they are going to pass legislation.
Silence is compliance. YOU are the person we've been waiting for. Please, join us to #ProtectTransKids.

I also want to take a brief moment to sincerely thank @ErinForYall for her advocacy and good work at being a genuine trans ally. She fought the good fight for us throughout the exhausting proceedings yesterday, and continues to be a voice for us, and a light in the darkness.

@ErinForYall And to the trans people, especially trans kids, who may be reading this - I love you. I promise the world isn't always like this. I know it can feel so overwhelming, and lonely, but please remember that you are NOT alone.

@ErinForYall There are other trans people, there are genuine allies, and there are people fighting for you, myself among them. You are worth so much. You are so precious and worthy of so much love, joy and peace.
Please stay with us.
thetrevorproject.org/get-help/