I came completely unprepared to the TDOR service held before US Representative Melanie Stansbury's address at First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, last Sunday. As I explained at the door, I am more political than religious and came to the 9:00 am service mainly as a courtesy.
I was shocked at how many young people, some in their early teens, had given up hope. I am appreciative that the church utilized the TransLivesMatter website, which counts suicides as the result of violence. And I was appalled that the US has so many trans murders, second now only to Brazil.
More trans teens attempted suicide after states passed anti-trans laws, a study shows.
My story.
See, I fought against the legislation in Texas for 10 years that sought to make our people outcasts, rejected, marginalized, and excluded from society. Eventually, Gov. Abbott succeeded in passing these bills, making my existence illegal.
So I formed a plan a few years ago and acted on it a couple of months ago. I fled to New Mexico, but not before I was attacked and left for dead, and had the displeasure of having a high school football squad block a sidewalk. and a hater I have dealt with for years, emboldened by Cruz's anti trans election ads, shout disparaging remarks at me as I entered a store across the street from my apartment.
An alternative to life I never seriously considered because I had a dear friend in Albuquerque who encouraged me to move and gave me hope. I had no idea that she was suffering from a terminal illness through all of that. Sadly, she died before I could make it to the land of Enchantment, but I have made a friend of her spouse. It seems as if she somehow knew we would connect.
Live long the burque in all of your welcoming, quirky uniqueness. And Rest In Peace all 367 trans and non-binary folks who died worldwide during the 2024-2025 reporting period.
