Thread by @stephenburks

Thread: I'm not an influencer but I have something to say from the perspective of an exvangelical parent of an adult trans child. What is happening out in the open around the @C_Stroop and @kkdumez exchange is a call to action for all allies. 1/

I'm not going to engage on the science of gender dysphoria. It's real - along with everything that goes with it including the high rate of suicide for those who experience it. That conversation is over because many of those who disagree have (like Putin) . . . 2/

. . . made their intentions clear; target, punish and cleanse our society from trans people and anyone who comes to their compassionate aid. We're beyond changing their minds IMHO. 3/

Now the religious part of it: I planned and led worship for a variety of churches for 30 years. Low ball estimate means that more than 3500 times I stood up and proclaimed that God is Love and that ALL people have sacred worth. 4/

All of that went out the window when it was discovered that I supported my son's transition and refused to public state that he was "sinful and offensive to God." I resigned rather than fight - most people still do not know the whole story. That's okay. 5/

The same month I left my church position, a group of Evangelicals gathered in the Oval Office with TFG and hand delivered a letter. The letter specifically requested that he ban all trans people from the military. An executive order followed doing just that. 6/

This event was worse than losing my job. Why? Because it indicated that the people I knew and loved for years were now:

1. Organized
2. Influential
3. Empowered
4. On a Divine Crusade

This was followed weeks later by the awful and scary #nashvillestatement. 7/

I say none of this for sympathy. We're doing great. What I'm saying is that we're living in a climate where genocide is a real threat. Overreaction? I don't think so. Why? Now these same Evangelicals are:

1. In Power
2. Developing their own language and vocabulary . . . 8/

. . . dehumanizing trans people (using non-human names in print, etc.)
3. Making it a legal mandate that trans families be identified, prosecuted & separated
4. Passing discriminatory laws that allow medical professional to refuse treatment including pharmacists and more 9/

5. Scapegoating

Had we lived in Texas with the current situation there, my family would've been a target. The physicians, therapists, school counselors etc., would've also been deemed criminals.

What can we non-trans allies do? A few suggestions. 10/

1. DO NOT REMAIN SILENT.
2. Join/support an org fighting for trans rights
3. Protect and defend trans people whenever possible
4. $ support in anyway (small or large) trans ppl
5. VOTE!

@C_Stroop is on Patreon. Her voice is vitally important right now. 11/

Addendum: According to the Holocaust Memorial Trust I believe we have checked off 6 of the 10 steps to genocide.

hmd.org.uk/learn-about-th…