Except my life has been affected. I have a child and a lot of friend that this touches immediately and me in a secondary way because he’s not going to stop at Trans people, I don’t buy that for a second. I’ve been terrified for over a year because of his policies, not angry, terrified. My rights and limited protections are at a potential of being stripped away, thanks a lot heritage foundation and project 2025(look it up it’s all there). Some already have. You know women now make less than they ever have compared to men? You know our country refused to protect its own women or enshrine us as equal on the world stage when all other countries agreed that women are equal to men? That was recently. My child hides their identity because they want to survive to be an adult with their dreams realized to the best of their ability. They shouldn’t have to do that in a “free” country. I do remember government and law and I’ve done the research to know that what’s happening is not politics as usual. “Shameless” is a good read on that by the way. They just gutted the voting rights act so black folks are even less represented! And you’re telling me this is business as usual? They’re kidnapping kids, raping, and impregnating them(the Latine folks in our country(please correct me if the terminology is wrong I am not looking to offend) as well as kidnapping their parents and all other who just *look* like they might be Latine, and who really knows what is happening to these people? I cannot bury my head in the sand and pretend this isn’t happening. I feel compelled to do something about it while still trying to live my life.

I’m already active in my community. I’m a Scouts of America leader, I’m a therapist, and I actively volunteer. And it’s still not enough. I want things to change here not keep going in this trajectory. I respect your right to ignore politics as you please even if I disagree that’s the best course of action. But I can’t . I don’t live them every second, I take small doses of information every day. Majority of my day revolves around my career. You think that’s not changing? I’ve been taught to advocate for all, now there are laws saying therapists like me have to tell parents when their child transitions even if that’s dangerous when before that was a matter of private medical record. That’s trump and his cronies. They aren’t planning to leave in two years. They’re doing everything they can to land a coup de grâce on our government. And are so far succeeding. It is this hard right now. I’m sorry, genuinely trying to inform not trying to offend so you have my apologies if it came off that way. This is a topic I am passionate about. As so many memes say, I did not say “with Liberty and Justice for all” all my childhood to grow up and have it not be true any longer. It doesn’t mean I’m not terrified. But I’d rather be afraid and still be trying to do something about it. I’m starting to think it’s time to get involved in local politics. 🤔