I don’t remember when I started talking to Sarah McBride, but I remember how: a message appeared in my DMs back when I was newly out and first talking about my transition, saying that she liked the way I’d written something.
Overall I agree with you, her approach is fine. I'm still rooting for her and the situation to improve for all trans people. Her strategy to point out the absurdity and redirect to more popular economic messages is solid because it's the truth.
My only critique of her approach is the language of directly saying she "complies" while not painting a clear picture of the negative day to day day civil rights effect on her life and other trans peoples lives on Capitol hill for clueless cis people.
I'm not suggesting she stage a protest in the women's bathroom... all I'm saying is basically I wish someone could advise her to keep up the same identical message she's doing now, but drop the literal "I'll comply" language. Instead, aticulate how she'll literally have to navigate discriminatory policy while trying to focus on what's going to materially improve the lives of her constituents.
For example, she could be like: "I was elected to lower the cost of groceries for the people of Delaware. But if Republicans want to make me walk across the building each time I need to use the bathroom to use the one in my office, then that's what I'll do. While we're trying to focus, myself and other LGBT folks on Capitol Hill don't feel safe using the capitol bathrooms because of these new clearly discriminatory rules. My office bathroom will be open to anyone who doesn't feel safe while we try to work past these hateful distractions."
Basically she's just gotta spell out the real actual day to day lived experience damage and how "complying" actually looks for the clueless cis people while also emphasizing she's trying as hard as she can to focus on what's actually important despite what she has to deal with now.
Saying "she'll comply" without even articulating the day to day hurt could give cis people the wrong thinking "oh see she's fine with using the men's room she complied! The trans woman at my workplace needs to just shut up and comply too like Sarah!". They won't know or have any way of knowing what Sarah's "complying " actually entails unless someone tells them.
That was lovely and I’m sending all my best wishes to you both.
Sarah is clearly a smarty pants and I trust her political instincts. Besides, I’ve read the comments on these stories and even a lot of the anti-trans folks think Nancy Mace is a bully now.
And I hate to say this, but every time someone says something nasty to her, it’ll be news. Every time she gets disrespected, it’s going to be news.
I think if you can show someone taking the punches (hopefully verbal) and rising above it, you can show just how mean the bullying is and I hope, I just hope, that people won’t like what they see.
She made a very intelligent and deeply calculated move. Much of the trans issues these past few years and the walking back are due in my belief to the ignorance of the political game in place…patience was lacking for many of us, such as sports… participating in sports is very good, but the competition side of it should have shown some restrain. Small steps are very often more efficient than big jumps.
But again, perhaps I am wrong… whether I have been out for 20 years…
I have had plenty of time to experience people, friends, and family on this subject… it's not rosy at all… acceptance from others is and will remain an issue for many more years….
Overall I agree with you, her approach is fine. I'm still rooting for her and the situation to improve for all trans people. Her strategy to point out the absurdity and redirect to more popular economic messages is solid because it's the truth.
My only critique of her approach is the language of directly saying she "complies" while not painting a clear picture of the negative day to day day civil rights effect on her life and other trans peoples lives on Capitol hill for clueless cis people.
I'm not suggesting she stage a protest in the women's bathroom... all I'm saying is basically I wish someone could advise her to keep up the same identical message she's doing now, but drop the literal "I'll comply" language. Instead, aticulate how she'll literally have to navigate discriminatory policy while trying to focus on what's going to materially improve the lives of her constituents.
For example, she could be like: "I was elected to lower the cost of groceries for the people of Delaware. But if Republicans want to make me walk across the building each time I need to use the bathroom to use the one in my office, then that's what I'll do. While we're trying to focus, myself and other LGBT folks on Capitol Hill don't feel safe using the capitol bathrooms because of these new clearly discriminatory rules. My office bathroom will be open to anyone who doesn't feel safe while we try to work past these hateful distractions."
Basically she's just gotta spell out the real actual day to day lived experience damage and how "complying" actually looks for the clueless cis people while also emphasizing she's trying as hard as she can to focus on what's actually important despite what she has to deal with now.
Saying "she'll comply" without even articulating the day to day hurt could give cis people the wrong thinking "oh see she's fine with using the men's room she complied! The trans woman at my workplace needs to just shut up and comply too like Sarah!". They won't know or have any way of knowing what Sarah's "complying " actually entails unless someone tells them.
Yes 👏 that was what I was angry about with that comment. I don’t have a problem with her strategy. Actually it’s extremely appropriate.
That was lovely and I’m sending all my best wishes to you both.
Sarah is clearly a smarty pants and I trust her political instincts. Besides, I’ve read the comments on these stories and even a lot of the anti-trans folks think Nancy Mace is a bully now.
And I hate to say this, but every time someone says something nasty to her, it’ll be news. Every time she gets disrespected, it’s going to be news.
I think if you can show someone taking the punches (hopefully verbal) and rising above it, you can show just how mean the bullying is and I hope, I just hope, that people won’t like what they see.
She made a very intelligent and deeply calculated move. Much of the trans issues these past few years and the walking back are due in my belief to the ignorance of the political game in place…patience was lacking for many of us, such as sports… participating in sports is very good, but the competition side of it should have shown some restrain. Small steps are very often more efficient than big jumps.
But again, perhaps I am wrong… whether I have been out for 20 years…
I have had plenty of time to experience people, friends, and family on this subject… it's not rosy at all… acceptance from others is and will remain an issue for many more years….
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Ari.