Hope is a discipline
ID: digital collage of 3 photos. Top left a group of Oklahomans rally at the Oklahoma Capitol in support of transgender youth, bottom left a person makes signs in support of transgender medical care, right people in the Senate Gallery work to speak with legislators about anti-transgender legislation. The photos feature a navy overlay with a Freedom Oklahoma logo in the center.
In the words of the late Leslie Jordan, "Well, shit. How y'all doing?"
We know this isn't the first morning most of us have woken up in Oklahoma scared for what the results of an election mean for our safety as 2SLGBTQ+ people. This isn't the first time Two Spirit, transgender, and gender non-conforming youth have had no say in the people who make life-threatening decisions that disproportionately impact their day to day lives. And it doesn't change how truly terrifying this moment is for so many of us.
To the 2SLGBTQ+ young people reading this: you are perfect just as you are. You deserve so much better than these current conditions. We love you. There are so many more of us than you know rooting for you. You're unspeakably brave and resilient in the face of obstacles no person should have to face. We're fighting with you for the safety and joy you deserve. Every. Single. Day. We're still here. We always have been. Even though they're trying their hardest to legislate us into the closet or out of this state or out of existence. And what absolute miracles we all are for existing anyway.
We don't have the magic words or actions to ease the pain of this moment. We won't pretend otherwise. We will continue to check in, to love one another through this, and to organize and fight and build towards the future where 2SLGBTQ+ folks of all ages have the safety to thrive in and beyond Oklahoma.
But let's start with how we're getting through today:
We're taking time to be present with ourselves in our bodies. We're crying, we're moving some of the trauma out, we're stretching as the toll of holding our breath, containing our rage, recognizing the harm manifests in physical ways. And we have a small playlist of songs that might bring you comfort, joy, or inspiration for movement in this moment.
We're checking in on our friends and family, our broader community. Especially 2STGNC young folks and their parents.
We're hydrating and feeding ourselves. Without shame or judgment. We're asking for support where we need it and offering it where we can.
We're facing long-term change work in hostile conditions. That part is not new. And so we're going to take care of ourselves in the ways we need to in order to keep showing up in this work.
And it's work where we need your help. We know the stakes just got higher. And as so many folks focus on places like Florida and Texas and the potential for harm there, we know too well that Oklahoma is often the incubator for the worst and first and most extreme iterations of anti-2SLGBTQ+ policy. And now more than ever we appreciate the ways all of you are giving and showing up to support our ability, as the only statewide 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Oklahoma, to do this work.
In this moment especially, we want to offer the reminder that 2SLGBTQ+ affirming crisis support exists from such entities as Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860, Presione el número 2 para Español), the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564), Trevor Project (call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678), and SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline (Call 877-360-LGBT (5428) Presione el número 4 para Español).
Throughout last month, we grounded 2SLGBTQ+ history month in the ways 2SLGBTQ+ people have not just survived but thrived, in and beyond Oklahoma, in spite of their conditions. We have been here before. And we have built power and advanced our fight for liberation, even during those times.
We won't minimize any of the very valid feelings you are having right now. And, we will be here when you're ready to fight, to organize, to build together towards urgent harm reduction and collective security while we make the future where all 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans have the safety to thrive a reality. 2SLGBTQ+ people have always been on this land. We belong here.
We see you. We love you. We're in this fight with you. Until liberation.
With love and solidarity, your Freedom Oklahoma team.