*The following article contains discussion of suicide/self-harm
Transgender and nonbinary people have existed for thousands of years, but the right has leapt to block their access to lifesaving healthcare, safe restrooms, and basic dignity. They've openly mocked trans peoples' existence at events like the Republican National Convention and have repeatedly proposed laws enshrining their discrimination.
It's because of belligerence and bigotry like this that trans and gender nonconforming people are more susceptible to violence, self-harm, and suicide. A survey on LGBTQ mental health from the Trevor Project, 60 percent of trans and nonbinary people had engaged in self-harm in the year before taking the survey. More than half said they'd seriously considered taking their own lives.
But for far-right Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado, trans identities are a punchline, as she once again displayed in a vacuous tweet mockingly announcing her gender identity.
I identify as non-Bidenary.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) February 17, 2022
It was the latest instance of conservatives, who claim to champion self determination, mocking trans and nonbinary identities. Boebert herself has previously announced that her pronoun is "patriot" (which, of course, is not a pronoun). Far-right Representative Madison Cawthorn mockingly claimed his pronouns were MA/GA (again, not pronouns). Conservative conspiracy theorist Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene hangs a sign outside her office declaring "There are TWO genders: MALE & FEMALE. Trust the science" (science disagrees).
Sure, the sentiments are often dismissed as harmless jokes, but trans and nonbinary people are the punchlines. When those jokes are made by conservatives ad nauseam only to be met with applause...Well, it explains a lot about the increased probability of self-harm, suicide, and violence against them.
Boebert's idiotic tweet was skewered on social media.
What a trashy piece of shit.
As a non-binary person, in a culture where it's s still not "socially acceptable" for a person to come out that they are non-binary... this is just... not. amusing. https://t.co/QE4BILZ1WR
— Kristin (@kristintothemax) February 18, 2022
Didn't think the one joke could be more cringe https://t.co/4R0lJ8XdmH
— The Serfs (@theserfstv) February 18, 2022
Conservative comedy is just… wow https://t.co/4F6BiBaZSM
— Liam Staub 🧦🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@StaubLiam) February 18, 2022
More like non-brainery. https://t.co/TxlYitjKub
— Paul Lee Teeks (@PaulLeeTeeks) February 18, 2022
Think about your dumbest relative or co-worker. This is what they’ll be saying for like the next two weeks. https://t.co/Ix0CYvbnEn
— Only Italian Fans (@lesuperburp) February 18, 2022
I wish you’d identify as an original joke https://t.co/IwdGBzibDt
— Brother Malcolm (joker arc)🌶 (@GDIMalcolm) February 18, 2022
Besides, the so-called "joke" is tired.
Oh look it's that One Joke™ again https://t.co/H6YiA7vQHa
— Orbital Drop Shock Ryan (@Spark898) February 18, 2022
2015-2017 called they want their punchline back https://t.co/kWgXG0toNG
— John Heflin 🟣 (@jch6289) February 18, 2022
They have 1 joke & it ain't ever been funny https://t.co/rp8fG2fduO
— godpatton 🏴🚩 (@god_patton) February 18, 2022
How original.
Transgender people in crisis can get help through the Trans Lifeline at https://www.translifeline.org/ or call US: 877-565-8860 Canada: 877-330-6366
