From where I stand

Hi all.

I was reading about the news stories on CBC about Lavish cancelling all-ages drag events at their longstanding nightclub. As I was talking with my girlfriend about this, I was unsure that it was even my place to talk about this (I’m straight), but from hearing this story, it’s really unbelievable that a business is willing to risk virtually their entire clientele because they wanted to jump on the Ron DeSantis bandwagon. God what loser energy. I can’t fully articulate why assuming first year undergrads will be endangered due to drag, but something is off.

This is a microcosm of something else though. It’s a part of the larger issue that trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and gender diverse people are facing a wave of hate. It’s not right. It’s really tough to see people I ordinarily love and respect share sympathies with the agents of hate. Sometimes they’ll say that acceptance of trans people will take away from women or Black people for example. They’ll say that it’s a trend from social media and it’s not real life. But hearing of the real life consequences of not allowing people to be themselves and live their best life has forced me to vehemently disagree with people who get their news from Tucker Carlson or Ben Shapiro.

To trans people, to non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderqueer people, to all queer people: I truly believe that you deserve to live your best life without apology. Trans rights are human rights.

What more can I say than you have a friend in me who will listen and I will help you fight when needed. If there’s anything else at all that you need, let me know.

Cedric Richards