I grew up in an environment that demonized queerness. Not only through verbal reprimands and shaming, but also through violent means. I was abused several times and also witnessed instances of neighbors assaulting gay men and teenagers who were out.
I was also unfortunately never given the opportunity to come out; I was outed in eighth grade when I was still trying to understand my own identity.
We’re also living in an era of heavy transphobia, which even comes from marginalized communities as much as those in power. This is happening as queer leaders have helped organize against ICE through mutual aid and rapid response, while the number of transgender killings grows, and as some gay men even advocate to remove the TQIA+ from LGBTQIA+.