Joe Hills: Q&A
I was recently featured in an episode of Hermitcraft by Joe Hills! I was able to answer lot of questions about issues facing transgender people. Unfortunately, I did not have time to answer everyone’s questions so this post is to address those questions!
[Question] How can people outside of America help, especially if they cannot contribute financially?
Encourage your own government to accept refugees of trans people fleeing the United States. Ensure your own government makes your country a safe place for transgender people to go.
[Question] How do we survive this? As a gender fluid teen, it feels like everyone is out to get me and my friends.
One day at time. I would encourage you to seek out stories about the queer people that have come before us and despite facing horrible things, persisted. We aren’t the first people to have to face these challenges, and we won’t be the last.
[Question] How will new US government effect trans people in America?
It is effecting trans people in all aspects of life. I recommend checking out ErinInTheMorning.com and AssignedMedia.org (where I have written articles on this!) for complete coverage.
[Question] As an 18 year old trans girl in college with no job or money except for what my transphobic parents give me, what do I do? How can I keep fighting when I don't have anything to fight with?
You fight by staying alive. Seriously. You survive. Surviving this is a radical act in and of itself.
[Question] How would you recommend finding hope for things and not getting stuck in a cycle of worry and panic? its kinda hard right now lol
I think it’s important to assure yourself that worrying and panic will happen, and that’s okay. But what’s important is to not always be in the state. I find small joys in life right now, the laughter on the couch with family, laughing and how insane Trump sounds, etc. Sometimes you have to seek out the joy and the hope and that’s okay.
[Question] Do you have any advice for LGBT+ people who are currently reliant on their conservative parents?
Oof. That’s a hard one. My best advice is just survive by any means necessary. Surviving the current times is a radical act itself.
[Question] How do you deal with burn out when it comes to something like this? How do you manage to step back for a moment if you need it without feeling guilty?
I have to take breaks, even when it’s hard or I feel guilty for it. Like the old adage, “you have to put your own mask on before helping others with theirs.”
[Question] I am grateful you are alive despite death threats. What are some of your favorite things about being alive?
Spending time with my family and friends!
[Question] I know a lot of people who are ignorant of LGBT+ issues, but seem to frankly not want be educated. What do you think is a good way to approach people who are somewhat hostile to information and get them that info without them closing off to it?
This is a really hard question to answer, especially for me because I’m not particularly good with these situations. I try to be as open as I can be about my life and let people ask bad, or awkward questions while assuming good intent and I answer them honestly.
[Question] Do you know how much energy the trans community is putting toward working outside the current system? Advocating to US government officials, who are mainly beholden to the rich, may be a dead end.
The transgender community put a lot of energy advocating and working both within and outside of the system. Any successful movement requires a diversity of tactics and transgender rights is no different.
[Question] Can we get Allison to point out the kinds of terms anti-trans people use to misrepresent trans people?
These are the ones the immediately come to mind
Transgenderism
Trans-identifying
Gender confused
[Question] Any advice for someone trying to keep a local college GSA going? Trying my best but don't feel I'm doing the best i can at the moment.
Running college clubs is HARD WORK. My best advice is keep going and work on connecting with people.
[Question] When working inside the cogs of facism and pro-capitalism systems like corporations, where Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts are still supported but are forced to be de-politicized, how should one push for change from within given the politicalization of trans identity?
The most important thing you should do is UNIONIZE YOUR WORKPLACE. It’s the most proven way to hold your company accountable. You should also be persistent. Correct people when they misgender trans people. Correct people when they say false things about what’s it like to be transgender. Hold people accountable.
