This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
Joe Ball, the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, has shared a powerful statement following President Trump’s inauguration speech.
While it is easy to say that what happens in America only affects Americans, we know that this is not the case.
We have been here before.
We know how easy it is for hateful narratives and misinformation to fuel hate speech on our shores.
And we have seen how easily it emboldens people to act out against our communities.
It’s scary.
Last year, Donald Trump vowed “to stop the transgender lunacy on day one”.
And while some hoped, like many of his statements during his last stint as US President this would just be noise, that was not the case.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.”
President Trump’s declaration in his inauguration speech has left a familiar feeling of anxiety and fear for many.
Something Joe Ball, a proud transgender man, longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate and parent has spoken out about.
The fear is real but it does not define us.
Victoria’s Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities provides a strong voice for diverse LGBTIQA+ communities across the state.
As Victoria’s third LGBTIQA+ Commissioner, Joe has used his platform this week to advocate and show support for our trans community.
Sharing a picture with his ten-week-old daughter at Midsumma Carnival on social media, he shared the following on his socials.
“His intentions are clear.”
“This statement seeks to undermine hard-won rights and protections for countless Americans.
“These protections allow individuals the dignity of self-determination, the ability to live authentically, and the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives.
“I understand this announcement has left many feeling deeply unsettled.
“Here in Victoria, I know that transgender and non-binary people, their families, and allies are concerned about how these ideas might embolden anti-human rights activists locally.
“The fear is real. It is valid. But it does not define us.” the statement continued,
“As a transgender person, I refuse to let this rhetoric terrorise or erase me.
“Our existence is a historical fact.
“We are not a modern phenomenon or a fleeting idea; we have always been here.”
Fear will not be the final word.
“Throughout history, cultures across the globe have recognised and celebrated genders beyond the binary,” Ball said on social media.
“In pre-colonial India, Hijra communities have existed for thousands of years, holding sacred roles in religious and cultural ceremonies.
“Indigenous cultures in North America recognised Two-Spirit people—individuals embodying both masculine and feminine spirits—as integral members of their societies.
“In Samoa, Fa’afafine have been a cherished part of the cultural fabric for centuries.
“Even in Europe, history reveals figures who defied binary gender expectations.
“From the Chevalier d’Éon, an 18th-century French diplomat and soldier, to the Roman Emperor Elagabalus, whose gender expression baffled and challenged contemporary norms,
“There are countless examples of our resilience and humanity.
“So, while Trump’s words might feel like an attack, they also remind us of something profound: we are powerful.
“If we weren’t, there would be no need to target us.
“We stand on the shoulders of generations who resisted before us, and we owe it to them—and to ourselves—not to back down and importantly to not be afraid.
“Here in Victoria, as your Commissioner I will continue to advocate, educate, and fight for the rights of all LGBTIQA+ people.
“Fear will not be the final word—our solidarity and resilience will.”
With a Federal Election on the horizon, let it be known every day that transphobia and hate speech is never accebtable.
A world without trans people has never existed, and no matter how some may try, it never will.
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