losing friends with discriminatory laws

[Wicked juggalo]

I live in Florida where, as a transgender man, my safety is threatened due to bills pertaining to trans kids in sports and bathrooms. Almost all of my friends are LGBTQ+ and also feel threatened, we are followed, catcalled, given dirty looks, or harassed every day along with these transphobic bills constricting our rights. Even worse, Trump is threatening LGBTQ+ and women's rights with the oncoming election, and people in my online circle are considering moving out of the country, some are already planning to. So I'm worried what if my real life friends with supportive parents move out and I'm all left alone? I have unsupportive parents who sent me to conversion therapy, so there's no way they'll hear me out about the literal *GENOCIDE* happening and won't move out. Its literally been taking over all of my thoughts and i feel so lonely already, i'm so scared for 2025.

[Ashley0616]

It is definitely scarry to say the least. The good thing is that he can only run for 4 more years. We can push through. We are STRONG! Man isn't judged when times are easy but when they are tough! Steady the course and set your mind on the future. Things may get worse but not forever. I knew my parents wouldn't support me back then. It wasn't as popular or well-known back in the day. I have lived in denial for 32 years so worse case what's another 4 more? The only thing I'll be upset is that I'll have to buy men's clothes again and my hormones will be all over the place again. I can't move myself because I share custody with my ex with two kids. I highly doubt that it will be complete genocide like with the Jews in WW II. The care will stop and won't be able to wear what you want as you want if things get pushed that way. 

[Mmindy]

@Wicked juggalo,

 

I know it's scary to think about living in the USA and Florida no less. I'm in Indiana and the state is only slightly better than where you are. Since you mentioned that your parents won't move, I'm guessing you still live with them. I wouldn't suggest you look to move until you're old enough to emancipate yourself. Even then you'll need a good job to cover living expenses as well as a roommate to share the costs. My granddaughter, is 21 years old had going to college to become a Vet Tech, she lives at home with her parents and also works full time for a veterinarian. Her brother 18 years of age attending EMT school and working part-time at a fumigation company sent me a text this morning advising me that he, his girlfriend 19, and his 21 year old sister are looking move out and sharing an apartment. The three of them are working out the economics to budget costs. They're not being forced out by their parents they just want the freedom of adulthood. The problem with the freedom of adulthood is it's cost. So my advise to you is to live at home as long as you can tolerate it, and know that with today's economy you'll need roommates and I wouldn't move out of the USA. Out of Florida? Yes probably so. You just have to understand that it's expensive, and takes a good budgeting mindset to pull it off.

 

Best wishes, stay positive, and motivated.

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Being stuck with unfriendly parents and not having choices can really suck.  I lived in that situation until I was 26.  I even was forced to attend a "light" version of conversion therapy to get any support from my parents to get the art training I wanted after high school.  I was fine when my sister still lived at home, but she moved in with a girlfriend and left me with my parents.  That was the most depressed I've ever been. 

 

But situations do change - sometimes that change happens to us, and sometimes we make it for ourselves.  Rather than focusing on the dread of what you think might be happening politically, why not make a list of things you'd like to change and how you might accomplish that?  For example, if you want to move out, you'll need money.  Focus on earning money in any way possible, and saving it up while you have the advantage of a roof over your head.  Is there somewhere you would rather live?  Check out what life might be like there.  If you don't know anybody there, maybe meet a couple of people online, or see if a local friend might want to go there with you when the time comes. 

 

Sometimes having a good future means laying groundwork for that future ahead of time.  There are things you can do, and any little way that you can start preparing will make you feel like you have some agency in your life.  It sets a goal and a timeframe, and goalposts by which you can measure your progress.  There is hope, and you can do it!