The Great American Fascist: PSA
So, recently my partner and I went up north for a family reunion in New Hampshire. Let me tell you, I had never traveled so far from home in my life, and it opened my eyes to a lot of things.
Out north is beautiful. As soon as you break the barrier of Georgia, you start seeing the true northern side of things, and it's breathtaking. The seasons actually change, the towns are walkable, liveable, and the people are... Nicer.
There's something you need to know about southern hospitality. Coming from someone from southern Florida — it's a myth. It's a real cow that jumped over the moon, a set of magic beans in a bag. Southern hospitality only stretches to you as long as you're white, straight, cis, and Christian. There are exceptions, of course, dependent on where you look — But trust me, as a whole, that sweet "shirt off your back just as soon as look at you" type of folk are not a commonality, and becomes less every day.
But I saw firsthand what it was like up north and I was blown away. Jaw slack. If a northerner doesn't like you, most of them are politely quiet about it. You won't even know. Maybe they shit talk you to their friends and family, but hey, I'll take that over screaming slurs at me (which has happened). Not once did I see mothers take one look at me and my partner, a visibly queer couple, shield their children and steer them away from us while clutching their pearls. The town I live in? I've only ever known parents in Walmart having themselves and their children wear matching outfits that spew anti-gay rhetoric. No, I'm not kidding, and I'm not exaggerating. I have seen this.
There was no "fearing for my life at a gas station because a man is shouting the f slur at me for just existing and revving his truck engine". Again, this has happened to me. My northern experience was absolutely stunning. Who knew, in retrospect — Living in a place with higher living and educational standards tends to make people more tolerant.
It's a bittersweet revelation. It made me cry to realize that, all my life, I could have been somewhere that accepted me more openly if only I had been born more fortunate. If only my great grandparents hadn't decided to become Floridian rednecks. I spent many nights after that trip weeping and mourning the person I could have been without all of that fear.
But I make this post to set a point, and it's a strong one. There are people on this platform that DON'T know what it's like in northern states, and they need to, especially with the rapidly declining tolerance today. I want you to know that it IS prettier out there. There IS hope. There are so, so many people up north; New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania — that support our existence, and if they don't necessarily support it, they don't think we should die or be tortured for how we live. It's important for you to know that. The news will have you believe that no one loves us, no one is fighting for us, and that we do not matter. But people are still outwardly living, loving, and celebrating one another in the northern states. There are ally flags plastered on the windows of so many stores. So many pride sections. So many friendly smiles and "hello"s from strangers.
Things are bad in the US. Very, very bad. And northern states can't negate that fact. Legislation is becoming a horrible issue, and we need to be informed and prepared. But the important thing is that you KNOW that there are good places. There is the potential for good, and the potential of good people. I am promising you, firsthand, that we aren't alone.
All we can do is keep speaking out, protesting, and donating to the causes we believe in. I'm just as guilty as anyone else when it comes to falling into despair over the things our government is doing, but take a win where you can, and take a breath for me.
I love you all, I'm proud of you, and thank you for your time. You are never alone. ❤️
