Living in a humid inferno (tw for swearing)

I live in the deep south of the us and I'd like to just talk about what it's like down here. I notice just how many people kind of romanticize living in the deep south because of artists like Ethel Cain who vent and channel their pain and trauma from the deep south into their music. or because of the southern gothic AESTHETIC

however, there is a difference between liking the music and aesthetic because of its tough subject matter (WHICH IS PERFECTLY FINE) and romanticizing the very real trauma and issues that are experienced and thus forth condensing these experiences into an aesthetic (WHICH IS NOT FINE).

I am a lesbian and I'm asexual that being said those two things already put a target on my bac in the deep south as someone who bigots can come after. Living in a place like the deep south is harsh to people who don't fit into the mold of what is "normal". I have privilege compared to many people and it sickens me that the color of my skin is a privilege and that our government is so fucking racist and bigoted that it puts value on the color of your skin instead of treating all people no matter skin tone equally. The fact that it has to be said over and over again is fucked up too since it should be human instinct that all people no matter what deserve equality and respect. 

In the deep south there are very few other queer people and you learn very quickly to build community. While you don't have to be buddy buddy with everyone you do have to help them if they need help and treat them with compassion. The community you have to build sticks together because you all know that if one of you gets outed that it would start a witch hunt. I remember getting outed vividly because of the difference in how I was treated.

Now I now that some people view me as "some weird gay bitch" and I don't care because I'd rather live as the boogeyman bigoted conservatives view me as than waste my life having to live a lie. My parents are conservative and so is my school. It's a catholic all-girls school which means it can be very conservative and especially homophobic and transphobic. I am also a afab demigirl but the thousands of trans women who have historically been on the front lines for queer rights remind me that I am grateful to be queer because there is a beauty to it that no fascist dictatorship can ever take away.

If there any trans and queer people who are reading this who are in similar situations, I want, you to know that you are not alone although it will feel like that know that we have existed since the beginning of time and have outlived empires and societies. Fascism can try but they will never eradicate us. Keep fighting for change because while it is excruciating and fucking horrifying looking at the news 

FIGHT NO MATTER WHAT BECUASE WHAT FASCISM THRIVES ON IS FEAR AND WHAT KILLS FASCISM IS EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, AND A DETERMINATION FOR A TOMMOROW THAT DOESN'T HAVE INTOLERENCE AND CORRUPTION. 

If there any people of color reading this I want you to know that your voices will be heard, and no matter who or what tries to silence you they can't. 

BECAUSE HATE AND INGNORANCE SHUDDER AT THE PRESCENCE OF COMMUNITY AND THE FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

But to anyone who has found this and read through this I want to say thank you but also please remember I speak on behalf of my own experiences living in the deep south and while there are many other aspects, I want to talk about I think this is a good start. 

always remember that what kills fascism is what makes acceptance and true peace. while it is draining and tiring, I want you to know that spite and anger are good things when you know where to direct them. Direct your anger towards the corrupt institutions and the people in power who maintain the corruption and bigotry in those institutions instead of letting those same people manipulate you into their hateful rhetoric. 

Stay punk rock