Eleanor Saitta

Are you familiar with the phrase "death before detransition"?

I'm just curious if folks understand the stakes for 2.3 million Americans right now.

I haven't heard it
25.1%
I've heard it, but I assumed it was a metaphor
2.4%
I get that many trans folks would choose to no longer live if they can't do so as their true gender
45.7%
I'm trans/see results
26.7%
Poll ended at .
Mar 4, 2025 at 7:57pmWeb
Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025

And to be clear, that's the number from the 2021 census. It's almost certainly an undercount, both given that many folks have come out since then and that many folks will not have felt safe or ready to answer honestly. And even as an undercount, we're talking about the entire population of Houston. A more accurate number is probably somewhere between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Do you seriously fucking think we're going to die quietly? We've read our history. If we go, y'all coming with us.

Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025
(and no, I'm not saying everyone trans does or should feel this way. We're all gonna find our own ways through history. But a lot of us do, and a lot of us are gonna keep living or of spite, and if that is made impossible... Yeah.)
Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025

Also, I should say that I really do appreciate cis allies and folks reminding people to think about the trans folks (and immigrants!) who are first in the crosshairs, and yes, social privilege is very much a thing. That said, understand also that we still have agency, and that regardless of whether or not we are scared, a lot of us are also burning with a cold anger. Yes, please jump in front of the bullets aimed at us, but also, keep the hell up with us.

If you live in the US and you're not seriously mobilizing for direct action and resistance, what exactly are you waiting for? An angel from on high?

Show threadXavier Ashe Mar 4, 2025

@dymaxion I can only speak for me, but I assume others may be at the same stage with my grief and anger. I've been trying to figure out what to do. Originally, I was going to move. I have a good career and could get sponsored overseas, but most of my kids (including my trans kid) are adults. Me getting a visa doesn't help them immediately.

Now that my family and I decided to stay and fight, what can we do? And how can we find like minded folks in a secure and safe way. Most of my communities are online and are not secure. I'm getting out there IRL, but it's not easy.

I'm not mobilizing yet, but I want to!

Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025
@Xavier
Finding the folks around you is a really good start. Literally bring plates of cookies to the people on your block get to know them. Figure out who might be a real ally. Also, find out who's doing trans activist or immigrant activist work in your community. You've got a lot of skills that can help them out on a few different axes; see what works. Go take the three day first aid classes as a family; make sure they cover bleed stop stuff and narcan too, and if they offer anything for mental health first aid, that's also great.
Show threadGwyn CieslaMar 4, 2025
@dymaxion If trans folks are removed from public life, a lot fo the country will grind to a halt. Not just tech, but ABSOLUTELY tech.
Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025
@gwync
We can increase that percentage. We can increase it a lot, if we have to.
Show threadGwyn CieslaMar 4, 2025
@dymaxion Absolutely.
Show threadEmily_SMar 4, 2025
@dymaxion "Death before detransition. But not mine"
Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025
@emily_s
Yuuuuup.
Show threadWinfried is Anti Fascism 🏳️‍🌈Mar 4, 2025
@emily_s
@dymaxion
That is a scenario I didn't think of yet...
Show threadNathan A. StineMar 4, 2025
@dymaxion yes! As seen in Columbus, Ohio. This was my first experience seeing this, but I understood it.
Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025
@stinerman I love that oops <3
Show threadNathan A. StineMar 4, 2025

@dymaxion this picture is rather old -- probably last summer. it is no longer there. It was painted over.

For anyone from the area this is the last overpass going west on Nationwide before you get to the new Crew stadium.

Show threadpopeyMar 4, 2025
@dymaxion Odd poll. I went for A, but A and C are true from my perspective. 🤷‍♂️
Show threadEleanor SaittaMar 4, 2025
@popey
I think in that case A would have been the answer I would have wanted you to pick, but yeah... I guess I could have done multiple choice, but this felt like it captured the spirit better
Show threadpopeyMar 5, 2025
@dymaxion Indeed, and it forced part of my brain to make me reply and engage, which is all good. Hello by the way :D