It's going to happen. Unless there is some act of divine intervention, Donald Trump is going to be president.
The world is stunned, people are numb, panic is arising. But so many people and news headlines keep telling us to not panic. That it's going to be okay, that we can't worry right now.
If you are one of those people, I am guessing you're white. White, cisgender, and straight. If you are, then yes, you can procrastinate your fear and be optimistic. But the members of the LGBTQ community can't afford your luxury, we're scared now.
For the next three months, we're living in a hellish period of uncertainty. The worst case scenario is becoming more of a certainty than just a possibility. However, what was said in the past is different to what they seem to be saying now. Because of this, people are being lulled into a sense of calm. Everyone else keeps telling me, "it won't be as bad as you think. You can't freak out now, it's not worth it."
Maybe that works for you, but for us, we have to be prepared. Next year, I could have no rights, and that's a future millions of Americans and I have to think about. Getting married, having a job, starting a family, all things I may not be able to do.
The feeling the day after the election reminded me of how our community felt after the massacre in Orlando. There was an all-consuming feeling of dread and unease. But instead of this being a concentrated attack that we all felt secondhand, this is a direct target that has been placed on all of our backs. We don't know when the unease will go away, if it ever will.
I am not afraid. I am terrified. But what I feel more than fear is anger. My country let me down, and I realized that this is our time to get off our ass and make change ourselves.
We are either condemned to sit back and watch the world come to an end, or create an army of change. Not an army based on hate but love. Not violence, but change. We must keep in mind that even though we have been subject to brutality, we cannot use it in response to those against us.
