I want to say, as a Kansan, I'm sorry for what our state legislature is doing to criminalize you for living your true life. After the bathroom bill takes effect on Thursday, I totally understand if you choose to never step foot inside the state again.
wow thank you, i appreciate you saying this, luckily i live on the missouri side so as long as i stay outta kansas im not directly effected but i know a lot of people who are and its really scary.
i’m gonna use your post as an education moment: for anyone who isn’t aware about what this anon is referring to, over in Kansas they just passed a really disgusting and insidious anti-trans bathroom bill, that snuck in a lot of vague language, and effects trans folks in more ways than just using the bathroom.
the bill is going to ban trans folks from using a bathroom (or space like a locker room) that doesn’t align with their assigned gender at birth, in government buildings such as public schools and universities. they plan to enforce this by revoking the drivers licenses and birth certificates of anyone who has had their identification updated to reflect their gender identity, and by fining trans people $1000 who use restrooms that don’t align with their assigned gender at birth.
so essentially, if you’ve had your identification updated as a trans person in Kansas, your ID, passport and birth certificate are no longer valid starting Thursday this week. this means that they are basically allowing anyone to become open season bounty hunters in Kansas restrooms in order to target anyone that they think is trans, and there is no legislation behind how they are going to navigate this public enforcement.
I don’t think I should have to outline the ramifications this is going to have on society, and the danger this is going to put trans people in directly. if you pass as the gender you transitioned into and have identification that doesn’t match how you present, having to show that identification to someone can put you in potential danger, especially in red states. imagine being outed to every cop, every bartender. not to mention that this bill is lining trans people up to be subjected to a transphobic justice system if convicted and fined. and this is going to affect everyone, not just trans people. i am so afraid for trans youth in kansas right now, especially considering the bill includes schools and universities.
there are bills popping up like this in red states all over the country, and many of them include sneaky language that takes away other rights from trans people without being the main focus of the bill, just like this one does with IDs.
i already don’t use the restroom in public unless it’s a single stall private restroom because of where i live. i see too many horror stories of people like me getting assaulted in public. and now they are doubling down on that and encouraging people to go after and report us. it’s something that’s really hard to mentally grapple with
i don’t really know what else to say. it’s a dark fucking time we’re in right now for so many people in this country. trans people, we gotta keep fighting. take care of yourselves as much as you can and stay safe and vigilant, no matter where you live. look out for each other. if you’re cis, we need you right now more than ever to stand up for us. this is just the beginning of what we’re about to be facing and that’s really scary.
blakekathryn
prguitarman
