I’ve spent a significant amount of time every day considering if I should buy a gun and get a concealed carry permit. There are people attacking trans women in public while onlookers cheer.

I’m also worried about losing access to my hormone therapy and ADHD meds, and having the hospital (or insurance) I’m on a waiting list for surgery decide they’re not going to do trans healthcare anymore. Also worried that the federal government will outlaw legal gender transition.

I’ve considered trying to leave, but there aren’t really any countries that seem viable to go to that aren’t also actively passing anti-trans laws. My only marketable skill is IT, but I’ve only got an associates degree, no certifications, and I’m not specialized in any particular in demand area.

I’ve also lost the shred of faith in humanity I had left. I find myself wondering which is more likely: assuming 70+ million people are actually that malicious or if they just on average have the intelligence of a potato chip. I fear it’s probably both.

So yes, I suppose you could say it’s had an impact on my everyday mental health.