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GOOD MORNING
Let's talk about justice for trans lives and the false narrative of "backlash."
Let's talk about justice for trans lives and the false narrative of "backlash."
I get asked a lot about how to frame the Christian Right or secular "backlash" against justice for trans lives.
"Do you think this will increase the backlash?"
"What do you think contributes to the backlash?"
"Do you think they'll face backlash?"
"Do you think this will increase the backlash?"
"What do you think contributes to the backlash?"
"Do you think they'll face backlash?"
I find it really frustrating, but also, really understandable. It's an easy, seductive way to think about civil + human rights progress.
But the backlash framing is RIGHT WING RHETORIC.
Let's talk it through.
But the backlash framing is RIGHT WING RHETORIC.
Let's talk it through.
First, let's talk about power.
In US constitutional law, people can access protections from discrimination if they can show that a specific characteristic has caused them to have less power over time (among other criteria).
In US constitutional law, people can access protections from discrimination if they can show that a specific characteristic has caused them to have less power over time (among other criteria).
Sexual orientation and gender identity are two of those characteristics.
People have shown successfully that people with sexual orientations and gender identities that are outside those of the population as a whole have LESS POLITICAL POWER and therefore deserve protection.
People have shown successfully that people with sexual orientations and gender identities that are outside those of the population as a whole have LESS POLITICAL POWER and therefore deserve protection.
So in the relationship between LAWMAKERS on one side and QUEERS on the other, LAWMAKERS have way more power.
Now let's talk about what is done with that power.
Over the past hundred years, LAWMAKERS in the US (who have more power than QUEERS have used their power to restrict access to justice for queer people.
Over the past hundred years, LAWMAKERS in the US (who have more power than QUEERS have used their power to restrict access to justice for queer people.
We aren't allowed to determine our own relationships (and access the rights and responsibilities granted thereunto).
We aren't allowed to determine if, when, and how we parents.
We aren't allowed to hold jobs we want.
We aren't allowed to live where we choose.
We aren't allowed to determine if, when, and how we parents.
We aren't allowed to hold jobs we want.
We aren't allowed to live where we choose.
We aren't allowed to go and shop and stay and eat where we please.
We aren't allowed to control our own bodies.
We aren't allowed to create fellowship with one another through sports or clubs.
We aren't allowed to control our own bodies.
We aren't allowed to create fellowship with one another through sports or clubs.
These rights and responsibilities, created by the US legal system, have been denied to us.
LET'S BE CLEAR--THESE AND RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WERE *TAKEN* FROM US.
The right to control our bodies was REMOVED.
The right to determine our relationships was REMOVED.
LET'S BE CLEAR--THESE AND RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WERE *TAKEN* FROM US.
The right to control our bodies was REMOVED.
The right to determine our relationships was REMOVED.
There were many removals.
The removal of colonialism.
The removal of enslavement.
The removal of indigenous genocide.
But wait - you say - these aren't inherently queer!
YOU'RE RIGHT!!! Control of the queer body (of all bodies) is CRUCIAL to colonialism.
The removal of colonialism.
The removal of enslavement.
The removal of indigenous genocide.
But wait - you say - these aren't inherently queer!
YOU'RE RIGHT!!! Control of the queer body (of all bodies) is CRUCIAL to colonialism.
So here we are, living under authoritarian control.
And we're asking for control over our own bodies. Our own relationships. Our own lives.
And we're asking for control over our own bodies. Our own relationships. Our own lives.
And then when the lawmakers in power want to re-consolidate their power and hold on to the control they have, it's called a "backlash"????
ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY NOT
ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY NOT
Um, if anyone is "backlashing," IT'S US!!!!
Where are the interviews out there asking the Christian Right if they think the latest bill preventing CHILDREN from accessing healthcare will result in a "backlash" from the queers??
Where are the interviews out there asking the Christian Right if they think the latest bill preventing CHILDREN from accessing healthcare will result in a "backlash" from the queers??
When the Right frames their own re-consolidation of power as a "backlash" against our demand for, you know, humanity?
They're blaming us.
They're blaming us.
When the Right frames their own re-consolidation of power as a "backlash" against our demand for humanity, they're shifting the perception of who has power in the relationship.
They're framing their re-consolidation as a reflexive, natural response to us greedy, unruly queers.
They're framing their re-consolidation as a reflexive, natural response to us greedy, unruly queers.
They're blaming US.
"You're making me do this."
"This is for your own good."
"If you didn't ask for so much, I wouldn't be so angry."
"You started it."
" It's your own fault - you're so greedy."
Sound familiar?
"You're making me do this."
"This is for your own good."
"If you didn't ask for so much, I wouldn't be so angry."
"You started it."
" It's your own fault - you're so greedy."
Sound familiar?
The "backlash" framework mirrors frameworks of abuse.
"What were you wearing?"
"Why did you bother him so much?"
"Well, you had to be taught a lesson."
"What were you wearing?"
"Why did you bother him so much?"
"Well, you had to be taught a lesson."
In sum: there is no "backlash" to queer people demanding our right to control our bodies, our relationships, our safety, and our health.
There is no "reaction."
There is only a re-consolidation of power and further attempts to control us.
There is no "reaction."
There is only a re-consolidation of power and further attempts to control us.
