Wave Your Pom-Poms for Democrats!

Well, at least, like, three of them

Apparently, everybody hates the Democrats.

Of course, the poll above, from NBC, is just one source (and only references white voters). It reflects those who think Dems are still being spineless in the face of gender issues, by insisting Trump’s executive orders on sex and gender are as bananas as Elon’s attempt to implode Social Security. It also reflects those who think Congress isn’t doing enough to attack Trump, or to safeguard transgender rights. They aren’t burning enough Teslas, which will surely restore Democracy and America’s standing in the world. I guess they think the Dems are spineless, too, but in a different way. (Republicans, meanwhile, are group-texting national security secrets to liberal magazine editors—let’s see if their numbers fall, too.)

Meanwhile, when California Governor Gavin Newsom—who previously supported many bills that institutionalized gender identity—decided that males shouldn’t compete in women’s sports, he endured the criticism of many gender-critical folks, who saw him as a hypocrite, or as doing too little, too late. (Not to mention criticism from those who interpret such policies as banning transgender people from sports, even though that’s not at all the case.)

It’s not too little, and it’s not too late. Support the Democrats moving to the center, where most of America resides. That doesn’t mean withholding critiques or not asking for more and better changes. It means taking the wins where you get them and supporting those willing to defy the mob.

The mob, meanwhile, is attacking Newsom plenty, though I guess mostly for his extramarital activities? And for having discussions with people he disagrees with? Chatting with the enemy makes you the enemy. I guess some people also hate his hair? Too oily? Or is it the personality that’s unctuous?

Another Democrat, with far less baggage and notoriety, also broke with his party on gender: New Hampshire State Rep. Jonah Wheeler voted to support institutions’ rights to create their own policies for sex segregation—not to have gender identity foisted upon them. Sounds very Live Free or Die! And yet, his compatriots walked out on him while he gave this brave, sensible, informed, and impassioned speech. His Democratic college, Peter Leishman, also supported the bill.

Tonight, the League of Women Voters will insist that these fellas sit down for a listening session—that’s right, a struggle session, as punishment for their heretical act of…standing up for women’s rights. Kafka: Take me away! (If you’re in NH, or want to Zoom in, info here.)

Remember that Texas Rep Shawn Thierry was voted out when she stood up to her party about youth gender medicine. It’s a huge risk for Democrats to do this, because even if their constituents tell them privately that they’re for it, they don’t do so publicly, and they don’t always work hard to keep these folks in office once they show their spines.

How do we create an environment in which these ideas about gender can be discussed and debated, without risking careers or livelihoods? How do we make it safe for people to speak up, to ask about pronouns, gender identity, youth gender medicine?

Well, considering irate parents of trans kids lunged at Maud Maron at our school board meeting last week (I wasn’t there—for reasons including parent/teacher conferences and my dread and terror of this event); and that my friend and podcast co-host Cori Cohn was charged at after he testified; and that I’ve been singled out for censorship by employees of the New York City DOE…I don’t know. I don’t know how to create this environment in the middle of American hysteria, some of which is understandable considering what Trump and his cronies are doing.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Solutions? Maybe I’ll just retire and create a collection of Kafka, Kierkegaard, and Gramsci bath products instead? Prison notebooks scented candles?