When push comes to shove, doing something drastic isn’t out of the question—if for no other reason than just to do something. After the last few months of anti-queer craziness, I don’t think the queer community is far off from the shove part. It’s bad enough that the new administration (notice how I’ve been nice by not calling it a regime?) is in full-tilt boogie mode trying to erase the transgender community. But here in Texas, we have a couple more months of our legislature figuring out how best to contribute to the latest round of queer bashing.
But what happens when we reach that breaking point? When we finally stand up and say, enough? Sure, we can protest, write to our legislators, publish blogs, etc. But I’m starting to think that may not be drastic enough. We need something that will truly make an impact. So, in true drama queen fashion, I thought of one thing that might actually grab everyone’s attention.
Let’s leave.
I don’t mean leaving one state for a better one. I don’t even mean leaving the country. I say we all pack up our toys, head out, and create our own sovereign territory. Someone is bound to notice we’re missing.
After all, the queer community spends around $1.4 trillion annually—the equivalent of Spain’s GDP. Not to mention, current estimates put the queer population at around 10% of the U.S. That’s 34 million people no longer taking up space in America’s economy. That’s a lot of empty apartments, missing talent, and lost tourism dollars.
But where do we go? Thirty-four million people is a lot to relocate. Basically, we’d be moving the equivalent of Texas.
I have heard that Trump is still pushing for the annexation of Greenland. Then there’s his weird fixation on Canada and the Panama Canal. Maybe we can do a trade? We’ll stop arguing about trans rights, same-sex marriage, military service, etc., in exchange for $1.4 trillion and a few new places to call home. I’m sure we could make that work. Even better, with different climates, everyone could land where they feel most comfortable. I’m picturing a lot of bears in Greenland.
However, before we jump ship for greener pastures, we should take into consideration the people left behind. It’s not that we hate all the straighties. We have wonderful allies and family members who matter to us. But when I think about all the anti-queer propaganda and legislation pushing people to leave, my mind goes back to this quote from American author Fran Lebowitz:
“If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influence from what is generally regarded as American culture, you would pretty much be left with Let’s Make a Deal.”
Wouldn’t it be fun to see what’s left behind? Oscar night would be different, for sure—everyone in Supercuts hairdos and Walmart pantsuits. Assuming, of course, that programs like the Oscars would even be allowed. From an architectural perspective, we wouldn’t have to worry about the latest color of the year. Paint manufacturers could just alternate between MAGA red and beige.
But I don’t think we’re quite there yet. Some people have already left for what they hope are better lands. They’ve reached their shove point.
For the rest of us, though, I think we’ll keep pushing for America to be better—for politicians to step up and act like adults, and for our place at the table to be non-negotiable.
Besides, I dread the thought of trying to get a consensus on a name for the new homeland. I know for sure that discussion would end with someone being shoved.
