Jesus fuck, do you watch the news outside of CNN and MSNBC mom? Aster yelled on speaker phone.

Honey, no need to say nasty words. And yes we watch the local channel too. And Apple News. Your dad reads the New York Times too. Her mom sounded defensive because all three knew that this conversation was repeated weekly. It was a futile series of statements that each person repeated to get the other side to change the subject. And it’s not like they disagreed on the big issues.

Mom, they are literally sending trans people to Iran. Trans Iranians who came here to seek asylum are getting handed over to their government, who will kill them. Being transgender is punishable by death in Iran. Not to mention they’re sending queer Americans to El Salvador. They are literally going door to door and disappearing people. Americans are ending up in other countries. If I get deported, I will go to a men’s prison. Do you understand? Aster was tired of this conversation with her parents. She knew they cared, but she didn’t think they fully understood the danger. They didn’t understand why she had an escape plan to Canada.

Isn’t that illegal? Her dad said over the phone.

In an exhausted string of words that started angry but softened quite a bit at the end, Aster said, Obviously dad, it’s wrong and illegal. I can’t do this today, my dysphoria is being such a bitch today, and I haven’t eaten lunch. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you both.

Her parents each wished her the usual, We love you too sweetie.

LGBTQ+ mental health resources:

https://www.hrc.org/resources/mental-health-resources-in-the-lgbtq-community

Submitted by IRIS ROSE