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):
- The Trevor Project‘s 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or TrevorChat, their online instant messaging option, or TrevorText, a text-based support option. If you are looking for peer support, you can visit TrevorSpace from anywhere in the world.
- Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860
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:
- Blahaj has a community Matrix free for anyone to join.
- The Trans Housing Network Chat helps connect unhoused people, or people in unsafe housing, to those able to provide temporary shelter. Contact xilliah@beehaw.org to join.
- Mutual Aid Hub has a list of mutual aid resources across the United States
- The aforementioned TrevorSpace offers peer support globally
- Trans Resources provides a global collection of community, support and advocacy groups, as well as many other kinds of resources.
- If there are any other resources we’ve missed, please direct message me on Matrix @emily:mtrx.nz or leave a comment
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.
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This message was prepared ahead of time, along with one for Kamala Harris. I am sorry that this is the one we had to post. We will be monitoring the community closely over the next few days to redirect anyone in need to appropriate resources.
I’m Canadian. But my trans sister and her wife live in Oregon. They’re planning to visit our parents in December. Hopefully the wheels of fascist government change grind slow enough for them to still get out. I’m not religious, but I’m praying all of you are safe in the months to come.
Thank you for being prepared.
Copying my comment from another thread:
I don’t know what I can do to help anyone, are there any organisations which directly protect, or perhaps help relocate at risk trans people that I can throw money at?
I had a look through the listed resources but nothing jumped out to me, perhaps I missed something though.
I’m on my phone right now so sorry for the short reply. Will expand when I get the chance (other people please pitch in).
TransLifeline used to offer microgrants until they ran into financial issues, giving them some donations would go a long way.
Both they and The Trevor Project also offer crisis support lines. I’m sure they’re busy right now and you should consider giving them your support as well.
Thankyou!!! ❤️
Reading through some stuff on TransLifeline I came across the Trans Resistance Network who help people relocate to safer states!
Thank you so much for sharing this. Finding opportunities today to be active and resist has helped me feel less powerless in all of this. I have shared it with some like-minded allies, and it helped boost their morale, too.
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I love you all. I’m on the younger end of Lemmy users here and I have never faced anything that feels this life-changing. Maybe even the older users haven’t, I’m not sure. Get out of this country if you can, and if you can’t, organize organize ORGANIZE. We can only rely on eachother now. Work on yourself as well. We all need some intragroup love now.
I have no fucking idea the path that my life is gonna take. Things were looking up and all I wanted was to finish the college of my dreams and enjoy my life. I have absolutely no idea what to do now. I do have citizenship in another country that I can flee to but that means leaving my friends, family, and education behind. What’s gonna happen :/
It feels awful to say, but your highest priority is you. I don’t expect blue states to matter given the full red federal control (president, house, senate, SCOTUS), or any of the “little victories” of the election to matter.
I feel it’s going to be easier to help others from the outside, and it’s only going to get harder to get there as time goes on.
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Trans woman here in New Mexico. I know I’m in a blue state, but I’m still terrified. Thank you for the Matrix guide, hopefully we can all be there for each other during this time! Sending love to all of the sweet and amazing folks outside of the US for your support and encouragement ❤️❤️🏳️⚧️
(Originally replied to wrong comment)
I’m gonna be putting a good amount of time into “hardening” my online presence and technology this weekend. I’ll probably go through that Matrix guide tomorrow
3 steps back 4 steps forward I guess, that’s how progress in general usually goes
Well I guess I can kiss the idea of official HRT, Voice, and Bottom surgery goodbye in the near future, not like I could afford those last two anyway. Hopefully I won’t have to look for a new supplier, I have plenty stocked up just in case but you never know.
