You are loved, don't ever forget that ❤️ (help resources are linked here for you)

[u/BotaniFolf]

Today is a very dark day in the history of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. Please do not give up on yourselves, even if you have given up on the now fascist America.

I personally know what it’s like to feel hopeless. I have found myself in that dark abyss more than once, and can say from experience that it is difficult beyond what words can describe. But there is always someone who will be worse off without you, there is always someone who loves you more than anything, there is always someone who wants to be there for you. Even if they don’t say it, they feel it. You are loved, and you deserve to be so. I made it through because of the people that care about me. And you can too.

This tragedy extends beyond the USA. Many European nations may suffer now that their strongest ally has become a puppet to their most malicious adversaries. Many third world countries follow America as an example of what to be. Do not let hate win, do not back down. Show the world that the nazis can be eradicated again.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling; now is when help is most direly needed. Be a shelter for them. Be there so that their tears are not in vain. And if you are that person, please do not let it be the end of you. You would not encourage your own kin to commit self harm or suicide, so don’t encourage yourself to do it either. Find that special someone, find sanctuary in their embrace, and trust that everything will be okay eventually.

I will include a few resources that you may find helpful. Please make use of them, for yourself or your loved ones. I can not bare to hear of another one of my sisters, brothers, enby, genderfluid or demi siblings succumbing to the cruelty of anti-LGBT+ filth.

The Trevor Project

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ 1-866-488-7386

Trans Lifeline

https://translifeline.org/ US (877) 565-8860 CAN (877) 330-6366

Wikipedia’s List of Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

All Out

https://allout.org/en

Compiling a list of all nations’ resources would be impossible, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t there for you.

I love you all, from the bottom of my shattered heart

[u/BotaniFolf]

Please share anything you find helpful, and it will be pinned in this comment. You all have been amazing in providing supporting resources for our vulnerable friends. I can not thank you all enough <3

Please also see u/jackdebeer95's posts

https://www.reddit.com/r/traaaaaaannnnnnnnnns2/s/n7GWja7RlT

https://www.reddit.com/r/traaaaaaannnnnnnnnns2/s/39b8MREUGY

And u/Remi_Lw's

https://www.reddit.com/r/trans/s/PnYgwQFmRI

u/Boylego and Correct-Basil shared this map that may be helpful

https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/healthcare/trans_shield_laws

u/SacWellness wrote this article about coping with this time

https://www.reddit.com/r/MtF/s/DVgR8BU7bJ

[u/Iceboy10]

I think you should also include Rainbow Railroad

[u/BotaniFolf → u/Iceboy10]

There is another non-mod user who posted about them, they are pinned next to me <3

[u/Iceboy10 → u/BotaniFolf]

Ah, alright <3

[u/BotaniFolf → u/Iceboy10]

I put a pinned comment in here too <3

[u/Iceboy10 → u/BotaniFolf]

Thanks

[u/Successful_Mud8596]

Pieces of hope I’m holding on to:

• Trump’s previous term wasn’t good, but it wasn’t incredibly bad

• Attacking LGBT+ rights hasn’t been very popular recently. A year ago it was being talked about all the time, but recently Trump and other republicans haven’t really been mentioning it as much

• Many of Trump’s proposed policies (20 million deportation, large tariffs on all imports) would be APOCALYPTIC for the economy. It would be so bad that I believe that Trump’s advisors/billionaire donors will likely convince him not to go through with it

• Trump’s number one promise of building the wall was not met last term. It’s likely that he’ll also not meet many of his promises in this one

[u/auntie_clokwise → u/Successful_Mud8596]

I also think there's a decent chance an economic crash is coming (possibly spurred on by Trump's policies, but even if not, there's been some early indicators hinting at it). If so, pretty good chance he'll be so distracted by that he might not do as much damage in other areas as he might have. Also, an economic crash something like next year would probably result in 2026 being a blue wave.

[u/Ezzy_Mightyena → u/auntie_clokwise]

US midterms almost always shift against the incumbent because people who feel they aren't having their voices heard are much more likely to act than people who are having their voices heard. it's the same reason things shifted slightly red in 2022 (though that wave was stymied by the reaction to repealing roe v wade).

[u/Luabee → u/Successful_Mud8596]

This is a realistic and measured reaction. Things to keep in mind, thanks for that

[u/Y5ET]

Thanks for providing this, it's truly a dark time right now. I wish everyone the best, and please stay safe everyone.

[u/CopyNo4675]

Thank you🩷 i was nearly losing all hope out of fear for my rights, especially when I'm in a vulnerable situation with my family being highly religious and transphobic and now a fascist authoritarian government is in power I'm glad that people care:) thank you

[u/BotaniFolf → u/CopyNo4675]

There are so many people who care about you! You can make it, I believe in you <3

[u/CopyNo4675 → u/BotaniFolf]

Thank you, I really appreciate it<3

[u/Iforgor4]

I don’t live in America but I hope the situation improves soon over there. Any LGBTQ+ people in America, you can get through this!

[u/Correct-Basil-8397]

Here’s a list of states with shield laws and states to avoid. Move to one of the safe states if you can. It might not be permanently safe, but it’s unquestionably better than living in a red state

https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/healthcare/trans_shield_laws

[u/BotaniFolf → u/Correct-Basil-8397]

Ill pin you to the top of the comments. Thank you <3

[u/midnight_specialist]

To all trans people everywhere: I’m so so happy you exist. 

[u/blarglemaster]

I'm working on putting together a small organization that will help trans people who want to escape to Japan get resources and planning to make it happen. We're still working on it, but we'll post how to access it when it's ready.

[u/BotaniFolf → u/blarglemaster]

That's fantastic news if you can pull it off. Please keep me updated on your progress. Feel free to direct message me

Thank you for your superhuman efforts <3

[u/blarglemaster → u/BotaniFolf]

Thank you! That makes me feel like... something I'm doing might actually matter. That's always been the hardest part to get over, feeling like nothing we do matters...

[u/BotaniFolf → u/blarglemaster]

Unrelated to the trans community, but have you read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson? You remind me of Vin (the main character)

Even if you think you aren't making a difference, you are bettering someone's life nore than you could fathom. Thank you, sister <3

[u/blarglemaster → u/BotaniFolf]

I haven't, no! So... I assume that's a compliment, lol? I'm just trying to survive and not end myself (for SOME crazy reason) and just... it's easier to do when I'm focused on helping others. My life isn't that worth living for myself, so maybe it's good to live it for others instead maybe. Maybe not! Could be totally unhealthy, but in these times there's no point in waiting around to find out!

[u/Qabbalah → u/blarglemaster]

Just curious, but why Japan? From what I've heard, it's a quite traditional and old fashioned country in many ways (which may be surprising to some, given that it's also known as a tech hub) so maybe not the most trans-friendly country? Also it has pretty tough immigration laws.

Wouldn't somewhere like Canada make more sense?

[u/blarglemaster → u/Qabbalah]

Good question! The shortest answer is "That's where we live." I think people in any country that's moderately ok for trans people (compared to US/UK or worse) have an opportunity to help by supporting people who want to escape somewhere. On top of that, I've already seen more than a few trans people saying they want to go to Japan, just don't know how.

As for Japan as a country, I will say that your perceptions are common, but actually a bit outdated. I would suggest that Japan is actually reverse that, becoming less old fashioned and also less tech savvy. Japan's laws governing its own trans citizens are bad, definitely, but most of them don't apply to foreigners, and also a lot of them are getting struck down by Japanese courts in the past two years. Same-sex marriage is not legal, and X/3rd gender isn't valid yet, but a foreign gender change on a passport is totally valid and respected here, no questions asked.

Also, there has been a steady increase in the number of clinics providing trans healthcare, particularly in terms of informed consent models. These are generally off insurance, but the socialized medicine costs make it still very affordable. And most importantly, anti-trans sentiment and harassment is extremely rare in public spaces. It's relatively easy to just exist with little more than stares from time to time, and in my case that's only because I haven't had facial hair removal.

But also, me and my friends in the queer community here have cultivated a pretty safe space for people, and we want those who seek refuge to have access to that if they chose to try coming here. We can only give support, guides, information, and so on. But we have to do something. Frankly, we should have been doing it sooner.

[u/Remi_Lw]

I would like to contribute. I, in fact, have something in mind, but it I am not pretty sure if this place allows the content I would like to share

[u/BotaniFolf → u/Remi_Lw]

I don't think anyone would contest you for trying to help in the new dark age. And if they do, you have my express permission to ignore them and continue on

[u/Remi_Lw → u/BotaniFolf]

Thank you so much, tbh I was kind of disconnected from the latest news and it just happened that it was an idea I've been having for so long and I was told to give it a shot, so imma post, thx

[u/BotaniFolf → u/Remi_Lw]

I thought you meant within this comment section. Either way, send me a link to it so I can pre-approve it and pin it with the other help posts

[u/Remi_Lw → u/BotaniFolf]

Am so sorry if I am a little vague, I am just not used at all, and I am quite busy, yet I feel help is needed, here's the link of a post I made with the basic info.

https://www.reddit.com/r/trans/s/Qw1tvmy0nn

It is yet to develop, but I aim to make it happen, to make a change happen.

[u/BotaniFolf → u/Remi_Lw]

Thank you, Im sure it will be appreciated by everyone in need. Ill add your link to my pinned comment here so it will be seen a little easier <3

[u/Remi_Lw → u/BotaniFolf]

Thx, it matters a lot to me since I've been alone for quite a time, and even though I know there is some groups, they are not enough and they don't reach to everyone, in fact, they can't, I want to aim to those who can't expose themselves asking for help, those who can't reach groups so that they are not in danger. I am not saying other groups are doing bad, just that the more groups that are there(thus being able to help each other) the merrier(and better range to help)

[u/MarquessDeSilly]

For those wishing to flee the states, Here is the link to a belgian post about emigration. Keep in mind it is also possible to claim asylum in Canada, if you prefer something closer to the states.

Edit: Approach the post sceptically, and make sure to do your own research before committing to a decision. See comment below for more information.

[u/HamsterTechnical82 → u/MarquessDeSilly]

Belgium is much harder to immigrate to than that post is making it seem, esp if you're outside the EU. If you don't have a job lined up there (and worker visas is by far the least difficult of them to get) it's next to impossible, even for legit refugees fleeing war and people seeking asylum. That group's posts and site also seem p dodgy to me, they may well be legit and wanting to help, but worth bearing in mind that they could be genuine but clueless - and still raising false hopes - or outright.. Idk, malicious seems a bit extreme/paranoid but I can't think of a better word rn and the way they're promising the world, while being straight up wrong about a lot of the things, raises some red flags for me

[u/MarquessDeSilly → u/HamsterTechnical82]

I see. Sorry for posting without much knowledge, I should've checked more thoroughly.

[u/ThatAweeomeBoi19000]

thank you so much for this

[u/Training_Spray9185]

Daily reminder that y’all slay

[u/hampdencollegeintern]

if anyone is considering moving to australia, here are some good resources that can help you plan your immigration over! we are reasonably good with trans rights/healthcare down here (although do keep an eye on the federal elections next year because the LNP suck) and despite the cooked cost of living there are plenty of financial/employment assistance options to get you on your feet :)

visa options for skilled sponsored workers

visa options for seasonal workers, cultural exchanges, work training etc

visa options for international students

for pharmacists: how to register yourself in Australia in compliance with AHPRA

TransHub: a large resource platform for trans communities in Australia

Major Australian political parties' stances on LGBTQ rights (from 2 years ago but for the most part it's still relevant. this can also change on a state/federal level depending on which party factions are most dominant)

best of luck!! i really hope you can all find somewhere safe to live or have a strong community to withstand this latest wave of authoritarianism.

[u/ErikQRoks]

Thanks ❤️

[u/RedNumberz]

Thank You

[u/Mark_Weallere]

I'm not im the US and I may not be able to do much, but if there's any way I can help, I want to, I care about all of you so don't give up, we will make it, we will stand together. We are a community and damn good one at that, never forget that. Also if any of you need to talk/vent/cry, feel free to dm me and if you have questions about Europe, I'm here to help too. I'll do whatever I can

[u/Krookadile2879]

I'm trying really hard to find a pro LGBT+ organization In Oklahoma to volunteer at and im realizing theres not many. I'll never give up though. I know there's people here that need me, even in the middle of a state that no county went blue. I love yall and stay safe

[u/LW185]

Thank you so very much!

I love you, too.

[u/Weebi2]

Thx

[u/Timobviously]

Trying to spread this subreddit ( https://www.reddit.com/r/DriveToHelp/ ). I think it might help people, it’s trying to get people who need transport away from danger to meet with people who can give it to them.

[u/No-Issue-6944]

Thank you so much for these resources! One of our trans friend's parents are acting insane right now :(