I'm living in fear. And, that is a place I don't want to be.
I've become so angry. I really don't want to be angry. It's fucking exhausting.
So, here it is. My plea. My hope to be less afraid, less angry. My hope is that people will understand that many of the rights we have as women and minorities have been fought for. A hard fight. The idea that a move on the court could impact our rights is keeping me up at night.
Many parts ofmy life work because of the Supreme Court.
I do or have:
Worked while pregnant and returned to my job.
Used birth control.
Owned property.
Have all my own financial accounts and credit cards.
Contributed an equal amount to my pension as men.
Been sexually harassed in the work place.
Played sports.
Married the love of my life, who happens to be the same sex as me.
I won't get into 'fairness' as that doesn't seem to matter any more. There is no room for fairness in politics. Telling a group of senators in power to be 'fair' will get no one anywhere. Voting will. Protesting will. Sharing our stories will. Asking for help will. I'm doing many of these things. Voting, sharing, asking and yeah, I'll hold up a sign and chant when I can.
When it comes down to everything, the only thing we have is each other. We may not agree on much, you may not be interested in being married to someone of the same sex, cool, marry whoever you want. But, if you care about me or anyone in my family, remember that once rights start being stripped away, we don't know where the line is. My marriage being invalidated? You may not care. But, the next thing to go might be your ability to own property. Or your ability to be on the pill - for pregnancy prevention or other health reasons. It's really not anyones business but you and your doctor. Being paid equally, having maternity leave, the list goes on. It would be great if we didn't have to have these rights written into law, but, we do.
The erosion of rights is a scary. It's already happening. If you think it isn't, you aren't paying attention. Most people who (angrily) tell me to shut up (or worse) haven't had to be protected by any of the above. Most of them also fit into the same demographic. I'd be willing to bet that none of them have had to scrap and fight for equal pay, maternity leave or the right to be married.
I love my family. I have a high protective instinct. I am a middle aged lady with no fucks left to give. 'They' come after my family? I'd love to say I'll burn it all down. But, in reality, it's probably a much quieter response the preparation of which is already thought out.
Here's my ask. If my family being legally intact is at risk, is that the right thing? If you care about me or my family or have a gay brother or love anyone LGBTQ+, think about it. Consider the most vulnerable person you know. Vote for them, donate for them, send letters and make phone calls for them.
Because, as the adage goes, when they come for you, who will be left?
