John,
If you're feeling like this last week has just been one gutpunch after another, you're not alone: I feel like that too.
Thousands of trans kids lost their health care across 27 states because the 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court of the United States determined the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution doesn't apply to them. They determined that rather than doctors and medical professionals using their best judgment in consultation with their patients and patients' parents to diagnose and treat a medical condition in accordance with decades-long standard practice, legislators and governors can take that away.
The self-described party of "limited government," "parents rights," "freedom" and "liberty" truly proved that none of that matters to them when it comes to the lives of their most vulnerable constituents.
So what is there to do about it? First and foremost: win elections.
This month, I've traveled to Lynchburg and Fredericksburg to speak at (and donate during) fundraisers for out LGBTQ+ Virginians running for the House of Delegates this fall because I know representation in government is absolutely critical.
That also means I've been prioritizing other races instead of building up my own warchest to pay bills, so if you can donate $10, $25, $50 or $100 today to make sure I can take care of my payroll and keep focused on helping Democrats win in 2025, I'd be sincerely grateful.
Separately, I addressed a virtual gathering of trans folks, medical providers and advocates on Friday to lay out what we need to do in Virginia. In short, the SCOTUS decision doesn't change Virginia law (that I wrote) protecting trans care. It does, however, mean that other states could feel emboldened to go after Virginia-based providers, and we need to protect our folks here: kids, parents and providers alike.
Meanwhile, trans people are now being actively kicked out of the military, including someone I talked to this week who's been in since she graduated college in 2005. Of course, that comes right at the same time this administration decided that the George W. Bush doctrine of blowing up the Middle East = peace needed to be dusted off the shelves from 20+ years ago.
Yet, when W took us to war, he did so with the consent -- as foolish and misled as it was -- of Congress. (HJR 114 from 2002.) President Trump didn't even bother with such a formality, just assuming he has authority to do that when Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia laid out succinctly that, no, he does not.
The SCOTUS decision last Wednesday made me think back a lot to what it was like being in my late teens without medication, without transitioning, when I would sit in front of a mirror for four or five hours at a time with a pair of tweezers, pulling every hair below my eyebrows out of my face just so I could feel like her, to look like her, and go out for a night as her.
The decision to go to war Saturday made me think back to being in my college dorm and reading the USA Today military obituaries each day, hoping I wouldn't recognize anyone's photo looking back at me.
I don't want this generation of young LGBTQIA+ people to have their rights under siege like they were 20 years ago and I don't want this generation of young people to be sent out to fight a war of choice from a President too reckless to think clearly. The '00s were an incredibly divisive time in America and it can feel so damn frustrating to see some of the worst of it repeat in real time.
It's so important in times like these to take moments away from social media, the news and politics in general so you intentionally include the things that bring you joy in your day. And sometimes I have to remind myself of this too -- don't get burnt out. Don't get cynical. Don't get hopeless.
Often what happens in Washington is beyond control for most of us. How we help people in our communities though, how we step up and speak out -- those are things we can focus on.
That's why last weekend, I participated in two "No Kings" rallies in Haymarket and Manassas and spoke at a Pride festival, one week after officiating a gay wedding on a World Pride float in D.C. Those are things I can do to connect with my constituents, friends, supporters and community. That's also why I'm committed to helping our newly minted Democratic ticket sweep our statewide offices this year and expand our House of Delegates majority.
I'll be doing a lot more campaigning for them before early voting begins Sept. 19, so please chip in to help me out while I'm out helping the ticket. We need to win big in Virginia this year, not only for the good governance to follow but to also send a loud and clear message to Washington that we demand change -- and we'll make it ourselves if we have to.
Warmly,
Danica
P.S.: One of the good things from the '00s was we got some really intense anti-war metal songs, so in the spirit of joy, here's a few songs I spun a lot back then that I think are particularly relevant today. I hope they make a good addition to your playlist:
Lacuna Coil -- "Angel's Punishment" (2002)
Unearth -- "The Great Dividers" (2004)
Lamb of God -- "Now You've Got Something to Die For" (2004)
Napalm Death -- "Diplomatic Immunity" (2005)
Machine Head -- "Clenching the Fists of Dissent" (2007)
