My rabbi inspired me to speak out, not that I’ve been silent. Our society and our current administration troubles me deeply. The parallels with pre WWII Germany in finding scapegoats for our troubles (Mexicans and Muslims) rather than admit that these are complex problems that have no simple solution.
In keeping with this blog I’ll stay with my own interests of LGBTQ+ rights. I’m particularly appalled by Trumps unnecessary and unwarranted attack on our vulnerable communities. Almost immediately out of the gate there was a declaration that the Justice department would not pursue cases involving the civil rights of gay and transgender people.
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice on Wednesday undercut the stance of the Obama administration’s DOJ and another autonomous federal agency, by arguing that an existing law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, does not bar an employer from firing a gay employee because he or she is gay. [Fortune 7/27/17]
This was a direct intervention by the federal government in favor of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. I think it is fair to say that direct support of discrimination on the part of the US government has not been seen for at least thirty years. They may, factually, be on solid ground, but in other areas not so much.
In fact, the federal government seems to be taking every possible action to disenfranchise the LGBT community. Removal of requirements, for example, for inclusion of transgender medical services, which cost practically nothing as per person cost will once again be allowed to be excluded from insurance.
The withdraw of support for trans kids is, in some ways, particularly shocking. It isn’t that I lack sympathy for the parents of straight kids who come home with awkward questions, it’s just that I think that’s better than have the trans kids actually kill themselves. Are those other parents actually (as they claim) religious, ethical people?
Then we have the whole trans in the military debacle. Aside from the fact that this has never been a complaint or a problem, Trump has turned this “problem” into a personal witch hunt among people who literally put their lives on the line. Great, just great.
We have enough actual enemies without creating false ones.
Mr Trump stop vilifying patriotic Americans and start helping the nation to find healing.
My Gifted Life 