If the performer had known that I write about the horrific violence against my community by day and process the trauma of that work in my journal by night, maybe he wouldn’t have made that joke. But I bet you he would have resented the implication that he shouldn’t.
I’d like to close with a message to those who would be affected by these horrible laws, especially the transgender kids who live in South Dakota. You are beautiful and powerful, and I want to thank you for being yourself. These lawmakers are afraid of you not because there’s anything wrong with you, but because they fear and hate anything that is outside of their very narrow worldview.
I know that it can seem like there’s no hope for you, that it seems like there isn’t a possibility of a future where you can be yourself and be happy, I felt that way for a long time. I want you to know that we are working hard to make sure that’s not true. There are thousands of people, many trans people and many cis allies, who are fighting for you and who are going to use every resource we have to make sure that you’re safe and able to be yourself without your government treating you like a criminal or second-class citizen. You’re not alone, we’re here for you, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that you have the long, safe and happy life that you deserve.
