This is what we can do

As queer or trans people in the US

I’m feeling grief, rage, frustration, disappointment, and I’m just feeling sick. My shoulders and stomach are knotted and not working well. As a trans person myself, with friends who are trans, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC, I’m scared for our community.

But this is the calm before the storm. Our new administration is not sworn into office until late January. Laws and court rulings take time. We have months before anything legal happens.

So after our grief and rage fade slightly, and we are able to sleep again, and breathe a little more easily, what is next? How do we load up on groceries for this impending four-year-blizzard? (Shitstorm?)

I have a list.

And if you aren’t ready for this yet, that’s completely relatable - no worries. Perhaps this is a post you can come back to in a few weeks. Maybe today is not the day for reading this. That’s okay - please take care of yourself.

This list is intended as a selection of ideas, and not everyone would be able to or want to do everything on this list. Certainly if you are able-bodied, able to do paperwork, and have enough money, that makes it much easier (as with most things). If you’re disabled and don’t have money, perhaps this is the time to reach out to friends, online community, or community organizations for help.

Here’s what we can do to prepare:

Medical (this is not medical advice, I am not a medical professional):

• Pick up our medication refills as prescribed as soon as they are available. Set calendar reminders for this. This is not the time to lag behind on medications.

• Consider getting birth control methods, such as a vasectomy, an IUD, tubal ligation, a birth control medication prescription, or Plan B to keep in your stash

• Be aware that websites exist for ordering gender-affirming hormone therapy without a prescription. I’m not going to link to it here, but please feel free to message me

• Catch up on preventative care such as a pap smear, mammogram, STI testing, if this is something you usually feel comfortable doing

• Get your bloodwork done, especially if you are currently on GAHT / HRT through a doctor

Staying Healthy:

• Get your Covid and flu vaccines, as well as any other vaccine you may be due for

• Wear a high filtration mask at least in high risk settings such as doctors offices, hospitals, and during travel

• Why is this relevant? Well, because I don’t want you to be continuously sick for the next four months. This is hard enough without having the flu.

Legal Paperwork: (this is not legal advice, I am not a lawyer)

• This is a good time to get your name changed legally (if you go by another name regularly)

• Update your passport (with new legal name and accurate gender marker, if relevant)

• Update your other documents as relevant: drivers license/state ID, social security, birth certificate

• Consider signing medical power of attorney documents with your unmarried partner and send a copy to your doctor’s office. This should allow hospital visitation rights

• I don’t want to tell you what to do on any of the following, but might be worth considering: marriage, adoption, writing a will

Considering moving to a more trans-friendly state?

• Reach out to communities in the places you’re considering moving to. If it is a trans-friendly area, it will likely have organizations, Facebook groups, and community resources.

  • Get referrals and suggestions for an LGBTQ+ friendly real estate agent, doctors, schools, roommates, jobs

Can’t move or don’t want to move?

• Get in touch with online community who can support you through this difficult time

Take care of yourself:

• Take a break and get some rest if you need

• Call in sick if you’re feeling sick

• Ask for help

• Spend time with loved ones if you can

I hope you’re holding up okay and taking good care of yourself. I appreciate you all.

Take care,

Rey