🛑 Supreme Court Sides Against Trans Youth: Skrmetti Ruling | Trans Joy Boise 🏳️‍⚧️💔

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Skrmetti decision—upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth—we’re coming together to process, reflect, and rise. 🏳️‍⚧️ Learn more at https://www.acluidaho.org/en/skrmetti-decision

Join Bonnie Violet (trans femme, genderqueer digital chaplain) and Pacey (trans masc, non-binary mental health advocate) as we unpack:

• What the ruling means—and what it doesn’t mean
• How trans folks in Idaho and beyond are organizing, adapting, and thriving
• The national movement for trans youth still gaining momentum
• Why our community continues to show up, speak out, and shine ✨

We believe this moment is not the end—but a call to rise. Our resilience is rooted in truth, in joy, in love—and in each other. We’ve faced worse. We’ve built beauty from ashes. And we’re still here.

🎧 Tune in for clarity, community, and care.
 💖 Trans joy is not a trend—it’s a lifeline.
 🌱 Let’s grow stronger together.

#TransJoyBoise #ProtectTransYouth #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransLiberation #TransIsBeautiful #LGBTQ2SIA #QueerPodcast #TransJoy #WeKeepUsSafe #SkrmettiRuling #TransYouthDeserveBetter

Transcript

Bonnie Violet: 0:16

Hi everyone. How's it going? I'm Bonnie Violet, trans, femme, gender queer, spiritual drag artist, digital chaplain, and I'm Pacey Trans Mask, non-binary mental

Pacey: 0:23

health and recovery Advocate.

Bonnie Violet: 0:25

And welcome to Trans Joy Boise, where every story, laugh and act of joy is a stand for our

Pacey: 0:30

community. We uplift bold voices, share real experiences, and celebrate trans lives thriving. I.

Bonnie Violet: 0:36

Tune in, connect and spread the joy because trans joy is

Pacey: 0:40

unstoppable.

Bonnie Violet: 0:41

Yes.

Pacey: 0:42

Awesome. Yes, it is unstoppable, but today is a little somber. Challenged.

Bonnie Violet: 0:49

Yeah,

Pacey: 0:49

yeah, yeah. Challenged for sure.

Bonnie Violet: 0:51

And why is that?

Pacey: 0:52

Well, uh, the Supreme Court has made their decision on the Sced case, and we talked about the S Sced case. Months ago. Yes. In December. Mm-hmm. I think we had an event for it. And the ruling, their decision was not what we were hoping for.

Bonnie Violet: 1:10

Yeah. Yeah. What we anticipated, but not what we were hoping for. Yeah. I, or no,

Pacey: 1:16

I was kind of, I don't know. I was up in the air with how optimistic I was. Mm-hmm. Because, uh, well real quick, we could just like maybe start Yeah, of course. Yeah. This for many cases. Yeah. And go back to that. Um. Uh, there was a ban on gender affirming care for minors in Tennessee, and some families there were challenging that and it went to the Supreme Court and it was called US versus Smei, and we did an event for that in December.

Bonnie Violet: 1:46

Mm-hmm.

Pacey: 1:47

And it takes them a very long time to make their decision. And the decision finally came out today and they have decided that it is not unconstitutional to ban. Gender affirming care for transgender minors. Uh, and it's not discriminatory based on sex or, or transgender status. Right. So the ban is going to stay in effect.

Bonnie Violet: 2:13

Yes. Yeah. And that's sad, obviously. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Um. And so I know that like this is fairly specific to Tennessee. Mm-hmm. But it actually means more than that. Do you wanna speak to that too?

Pacey: 2:28

Yeah. It's basically any state that has a ban like this is, it's going to just remain in effect. Mm-hmm. And I don't remember how many states have similar bans, but I, I believe it's quite a few.

Bonnie Violet: 2:42

Yeah.

Pacey: 2:43

So, and you know, that's a good point. This doesn't affect states that don't have. Bans. So if you're in like a blue state and you're concerned about this, this doesn't pertain to you? Yeah. Um, yet

Bonnie Violet: 2:53

not as of yet. Not as of yet. It could potentially be used as a way for other states to begin to do this sort of thing, or maybe even at a national level. But again, for this, this is really just talking about the results from a Supreme Court case that was seen or heard mm-hmm. Like back in December. Um, and it basically just says that. You know, nothing's going to, that they basically, nothing's gonna change. Mm-hmm. Um, people at Tennessee has been, without, um, access to trans healthcare free young people right now. Mm-hmm. Correct? Yeah. Yeah. Still. Mm-hmm. So, and we've been experiencing that here in Idaho since last July, so it's almost a year now. Mm-hmm. Um, that young people have. It was, it even, was it It was before this, it was, think that 2023. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And last year for July was July. It

Pacey: 3:41

was for adults On Medicaid. On Medicaid, yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. That's right. So, yeah. So it won't affect us here because we've already been living with that.

Bonnie Violet: 3:51

Mm-hmm.

Pacey: 3:51

But it's, it's really upsetting for me that the Supreme Court has decided that bans such as this, that are, I mean, so inherently. Phobic and discriminatory. Like obviously Yeah. Like obviously that, that those are okay. Mm-hmm. So I worry that this is going to be kind of a green light for other states that have ideas for things like this. Mm-hmm. Or are going to start, you know, imposing bans like this because they know that it'll be okay and it'll be backed by the government.

Bonnie Violet: 4:26

Yeah. I was just watching a video from, from Aaron. Uh, you know that Oh, Erin Parness. The Erin. It's called Erin in the Oh, Erin in the morning. Yeah, Erin in the morning. Oh yeah. I love Aaron. Okay. And they were talking about the Sri medic case. And I, I be honest with folks, I'm apprehensive about what to say, just'cause I wanna make sure that I'm passing on like, good information and I feel like I'm still learning a lot. And so, um, I wanna be like mindful of that. But my understanding was, was that she was talking about how it. It's, it's basically gender dysphoria is what was kind of like, um, if you will attacked. Mm-hmm. Not, um, like the bias was more towards gender dysphoria. Mm-hmm. The diagnosis than the individuals. So it's kind of like, in what she was saying, it's like the medication isn't available for gender affirming care for anybody, regardless of their like, um. Like, they don't have to be transgender. They could, you know what I mean? Mm-hmm. Because it's all people. It's kind of like she, she referenced it back when interracial marriage was an issue when they fought that basically. Well, everyone can have, everyone could have, everyone could have access to this, but mm-hmm. You know what I mean? Like, and I, I don't, I, maybe we can reference it, but mm-hmm. Um, I, I think that's one of the things that we're really wanting to try to like, um. Balance too, is like making sure that we're putting out the right information. Right. And so Totally. We're working closely with the A CLU locally here in Idaho as well as nationally. Mm-hmm. We were just in a meeting earlier today with like 500 plus people from all over the country, which was really cool. So folks know that there are a lot of people working hard on this all the way across the country, and Idaho is in that conversation. We're in the rooms and we're part of. What is happening as well. So I know sometimes it can feel like Idaho isn't, uh, is kind of forgot about or flown over, so to speak. But, um, we are definitely, at least in the mix with, I think there was like 47 states or something that we're all working on trying to do some sort of response to what's happening right now.

Pacey: 6:36

Yeah. Yeah, that's a good point. It's. This is going to have a lot of really damaging consequences. Yeah. I mean, I was reading some numbers just in like single states, like how many people are going to be affected by this? And it is so many.

Bonnie Violet: 6:56

Mm-hmm.

Pacey: 6:56

And I know that you know, obviously, and we know so many personally, um. People's mental health is going to just deteriorate. Yeah. At dangerous rates. And I worry about what we're gonna be seeing when it comes to like relapsing with suicide. Mm-hmm. I mean, and these are all consequences that the Supreme Court, they're all well aware. Well aware that these are going to be happening. Yeah, yeah. But how can we, as a community band together and try and help each other through this because. You know, even if you are someone who is in a state that isn't going to be affected by this, just knowing that this is the opinion held by the government mm-hmm. Is deeply damaging.

Bonnie Violet: 7:44

Yeah. Agreed. You know, you might think this is definitely not just like, it's talking about gender affirming care for young people. Mm-hmm. And it obviously, they're the most impacted by this, but you know, it's felt throughout. Throughout the whole community. I've had a number of text messages and calls and things today from people being upset, people being in tears, people checking in on me, um, about like what's going on and how people are responding to everything that's going on. Or even somebody who's concerned that their trans partner is gonna be impacted in a bigger way. And so mm-hmm. Uh, and I know people have been avoiding to talk about it or, you know what I mean? And so I think that's a big thing is we're just trying to encourage people to, to talk about it. Um, yeah,

Pacey: 8:29

I think it was also there was an aspect of people had forgotten.

Bonnie Violet: 8:36

Yeah.

Pacey: 8:36

Completely. And I remember, oh, six months ago it, yeah, it was six months ago. Um, I know that we've been trying to remind people of it. Yeah. And even at like the last week's rally, Sarah spoke mm-hmm. On this just to kind of remind people. But it has been a really long time. Yeah. But I know that that's probably also kind of. Part of the upset today is just like waking up to this. Groundbreaking case. Mm-hmm. And it just feels like it came outta nowhere. Yeah. Because it was so long

Bonnie Violet: 9:03

ago. Exactly. Yeah. And I think like, kind of like what we talked about in our last episode with people who are going, it's Pride Month and how people were going to Pride events and I, we had talked about them becoming more vulnerable mm-hmm. To being harmed by things. And I think that's something like, we're kind of in our, like our month of like, yay, L-G-B-T-Q, and then. Boom, not young trans people in Tennessee and mm-hmm. You know, beyond. And so I think in some ways we're almost, a lot of us, I think are even more vulnerable mm-hmm. To the impact right now than what we were say back in December. Yeah. When this first kind of came into a lot of ours. Mm-hmm. Like minds and hearts. Oh, totally.

Pacey: 9:43

I was. I really didn't know what to expect because, you know, in my heart I was like, this fucking country is gonna say yeah. You know, like they're focusing so hard on erasure at this point. Mm-hmm. But there was also a part of me that has been, you know, following along with a lot of these cases. Yeah. And there was at least one, maybe two Supreme Court cases. Where they sided with parents. Yeah. Because when it comes down to it with minors, like it comes down to either state's rights or parents' rights. Right. And that's like probably really tricky for, for the court, right? Yeah. Especially if they're right-leaning. But there were, there's at least one where they, it was a similar case and they sided with parents' rights. So in the having that, in the back of my mind, I was like. There's a chance that they're going to side with parents. Mm-hmm. You know, even if they don't agree with gender affirming care, they don't agree with trans identity, whatever, they're still going to side with parents. Yeah. So I was holding out hope, just. Uh, based on that.

Bonnie Violet: 11:22

Yeah. Yeah. And like you said, you know, maybe here in Idaho as far as like today or the next few months, nothing's really gonna change it. It may impact what we can look forward to planning in the future and how things might look, but at least for right now, we're kind of in the same state that we were. And I think it's important for people to realize, like Idaho young people have been dealing with this already. Mm-hmm. And they've, they've figured out ways to either. Get gender affirming care in whatever small amounts, you know, if maybe for some it's just about being able to socially transition and maybe they don't access to medical, or maybe they have moments in which they can exist as trans and others are not. I know many of our young people left, you know, they left and went to other states and those I think are still options for people I think to be really consider be considering in this. Time is like, what is it that, that you need or that your loved one needs in this particular moment? And it might be going somewhere else. It also might be, there might be other ways that you can get access to, to gender affirming care or other supports.'cause I know there are stuff like on national and local levels that you can get connected to and they can kind of help families troubleshoot. Um, how to kind of like deal with this, and some of it might be that I can't transition right now, right? Or I can't have access to things and then helping people cope with that as well, which is just, I. Devastating to me. Mm-hmm. Um, to think of that, especially, it seems that it's just, we live in a time in which that shouldn't be the case. You know, many of our queer folks, uh, brothers and sisters and ourselves dealt with that as, as teens and mm-hmm. People in high school or living with our parents, or even into college having to hide these parts of ourselves because it wasn't safe. Because it wasn't Okay. And it's, I'd like to think we're beyond that. We've. We've, you know, like enough of us have walked that journey to where the rest of us don't have to go through it. And what this does is it, it does, it kind of pushes that narrative, um, potentially on a lot more young people Oh yeah. Than, you know, prior to, of course.

Pacey: 13:27

And that I think that where I'm kind of at today is I'm kind of oscillating between. Like cautious optimism, right? Mm-hmm. And just anger,

Bonnie Violet: 13:39

dome and anger.

Pacey: 13:40

Yeah. Yeah. Because it's just the, the sense of injustice to me. Um, and just feeling so incredulous at this because it doesn't make any fucking sense. Like, I, uh, made a video about this yesterday where, you know, of course those attacks in Minnesota mm-hmm. On the, the Democrats and the guy that was found. Like the suspect. Mm-hmm. He was a, an avid Trump supporter and obviously, I mean, we all fucking knew that was gonna be coming, but what they're doing now is they're somehow pinning it on trans people like Donald Trump Jr. Said that the transgender movement is the most violent terrorist group or domestic terrorist group in the world, and. Just looking at that and like, are you fucking crazy? That doesn't make any sense. It's so far removed from it. Mm-hmm. But this is just another example of it. Like, you look at these things that are being said and the laws that are taking into effect and they're so unfair. Mm-hmm. But they're so big, you know, there's this huge systemic pro. Like it's, it's beyond us. Mm-hmm. We can't, I can't do shit about it. And I think. You know, of course we can do things on our local level. We can plan events. Yeah, we can talk to people. But in the scheme of things, that's not going to change fucking anything when it comes to these laws, like at large. Right. And that frustration is, it's debilitating.

Bonnie Violet: 15:11

Yeah.

Pacey: 15:11

You know, just that rage that comes with that.

Bonnie Violet: 15:14

Yeah. I can definitely feel like, well, why even like. Why? Like why even fight? Why even fight it? Why even try to move forward anymore of just like mm-hmm. Yeah. It definitely makes you wanna like curl up mm-hmm. In a ball and Yeah. Exactly. And disappear. Whether it's just for a moment or whatever. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. You or no, I was just gonna say, and that's okay. I think, you know, I think, oh yeah, we need to create space to have that sort of, um, what's the word? Disappointment.

Pacey: 15:41

Yeah. And grieve

Bonnie Violet: 15:43

and grief.

Pacey: 15:43

Yeah. Grieve it because. And we've talked about this in the past. Mm-hmm. And it just, it's so sad because it feels like every time we talk about grief and you know, the act of grieving, there's so much more that we're adding to that list. Yeah. And it feels like the grief is.

Bonnie Violet: 16:03

It's like insurmountable, right? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's kind of like, you know, it can add up. Mm-hmm. You know what I mean? So it definitely could be, I mean, my understanding is yeah, like one grief.'cause I know like when I've dealt with like, loss of say a family member or a friend and then another person dies and I could be at their funeral mm-hmm. And be like sad about the other person that had died.'cause maybe it's the same or like, and grief, grief works that way even in this particular, um, situation as well. And so, um. The big thing is to encourage folks to, there are like, you know, there's like if you're a legal person or you're somebody who really wants to see it in black and white. Um, and like figure it out for yourself. There's a lot of great resources for that. You can check with the ACL U, both locally and nationally. Lambda Legal is also a really great place to get some of that information. Yeah. Also, there will be a lot of actions taking place all over the country. Yeah. In which folks will have opportunities to one, probably connect with more of folks who have these more legal or. Law related questions as well as lots of opportunity to just kind of be in community mm-hmm. And support one another. Um, and we're, and we're doing that, we're part of, you know, the planning of doing that here as well. Mm-hmm. Not only in Boise, but also throughout the state. There are other things that are, that are happening as well. Mm-hmm. In Pocatello and Twin Falls. Yeah. At, at, that's as far as we know right now. Mm-hmm. Who knows? There could be more, um, after Yeah. Potentially, you know, after today. Mm-hmm. So, um. Yeah. Where do we wanna talk about with this? Like the events or the event specifically, or,

Pacey: 17:42

I think that we can Yeah. Start, start to, so keep an eye out for it. Yeah. Yeah. Because we we're planning an event this, this Saturday. Mm-hmm. Um, at one o'clock, one to three, um, we believe at Julia Davis Park. Yeah. Um, and it's sort of just an unofficial. Get together, uh, where we can just experience community mm-hmm. Uh, and kind of grieve together. And there's sort of an art project that we're going to be doing that's really symbolic and beautiful. And I think getting us all together will remind us that we're not alone in this. Because even knowing that I'm not alone. It feels like it sometimes. Yeah. Mm-hmm. You know, and especially with the way that I am, I tend to really isolate and doom scroll. Of course. Yeah. Yeah. And it just feels like it's so overwhelming. So I think that it's gonna be, I would really encourage, I. Everyone to come.

Bonnie Violet: 18:40

Yeah. And it's very community centered and oriented. Mm-hmm. So we are gonna have probably an opportunity of a panel or we might have some sort of like speaking that happens. A lot of that is still kind of getting developed, but we're creating it more of like a community level. So it'd be like parents or young people that are talking about their experience with this, not necessarily the legal team. That sort of stuff. That sort of stuff will come down the road because there's still a lot. Uh, you know, this just came out this morning. Yeah. So there's still a lot of like reading and researching and learning mm-hmm. That the legal teams will have to really look at. Oh yeah. In order to kind of begin to really be in a place in which they can answer questions confidently. Mm-hmm. Or really know, you know, so it's gonna take a little bit of time. So definitely keep an eye out for those as well.'cause those opportunities will come up obviously to where you can read something or maybe watch a video. But we also will be working on having some sort of like in person. Activity similar. Similarly, or similar? Mm-hmm. To what we did back in December? Yeah,

Pacey: 19:39

yeah. Yeah.'cause this has been. We've known that the result was gonna come out in June for six months. Yes. So we've been meeting frequently, uh, just in anticipation of the decision. Right. So we could get feet on the ground immediately mm-hmm. And plan something. So while we've been planning, like you can't really,

Bonnie Violet: 19:59

you can only do so much. Yeah. You can only do so much

Pacey: 20:00

until it happens. So, uh, I just think it's gonna be a good opportunity.'cause I know there's gonna be a lot of, a lot of big feelings about it. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I don't know if. People watching or listening to this, now were following us back in December, but we did a town hall event that was really cool with the A CLU Idaho legal team, and they answered a bunch of questions about the case. And we invited the community to come, particularly parents of transgender kids. Mm-hmm. And it was really cool. We were able to all interact, do some affirmations, and they were able to get all their questions answered and that is still going to happen. Yeah. Bond Violet said it is just, uh, we're gonna, we're trying to kind of prioritize just. An opportunity to get together and kind of talk it out

Bonnie Violet: 20:45

to kind of be in community.'cause you know, it is pride month, so there's all kinds of things happening. It's into the summer, so a lot of folks are gone on the weekends, there's mm-hmm. Lots of festivals and activities happening. So a lot of that is also trying to work within, you know, the summer plans that are already out and about, and so, yeah. Yeah. That's why things are mm-hmm. A little bit more. I don't know if it's even delayed, but just things are created with that in mind. Yeah. Of all the things that are happening,

Pacey: 21:12

and like one event that's happening this weekend is hetero. Awesome.

Bonnie Violet: 21:15

Yeah. I would rather spend more time talking about the queer arts Yeah. Festival, because that's also happening. Sad about that.

Pacey: 21:23

Yeah. Oh man. What? What a day. Yeah, there's so much going on right now. Mm-hmm. But yeah, the Queerly Arts Festival, that's gonna be badass. Yeah. And, uh, we were gonna have Muff and Xander on, uh, today, but there was some scheduling conflicts. Well, I'm sure

Bonnie Violet: 21:37

they're working their asses off to get Oh, God.

Pacey: 21:39

Yeah. And they, they had a bunch of stuff coming to the store too, so it's like

Bonnie Violet: 21:42

they've got so much, I don't know how they're doing it. I don't know how they're doing it. They just opened a store. They're doing the festival, which is

Pacey: 21:47

so, so cool. I'm really excited about

Bonnie Violet: 21:50

them and what they're doing together individually. And clearly arts the store as well as this festival. Mm-hmm. I think is gonna be really fantastic. I'm planning on going at least Thursday and Friday night. Yeah. But do both. We'll

Pacey: 22:02

see,

Bonnie Violet: 22:02

I, so

Pacey: 22:03

far, I am going on Thursday because, uh, my partner and I are friends with Willow the Wild. Oh. And every time she performs we go. You go. Yeah. Um, but I would like to go just to be a part of community. Mm-hmm. And maybe we could. Do something to just kind of like we had talked about, just offer maybe some support or information if we're both, if we're both gonna be there on Thursday.

Bonnie Violet: 22:26

Yeah.

Pacey: 22:26

Um,

Bonnie Violet: 22:27

we might, I don't know. We might. Yeah. We'll keep an eye out guys. We'll, um, and if you ever see us out in public. Don't hesitate. Like coming up to us, talking to us, saying hello. Exactly. Yeah. We'd actually like it.

Pacey: 22:38

Yeah. And in spite of like how I look, I'm nice. Yes. And I love talking to people and uh, it honestly makes my day whenever I'm able to talk to, to someone about. About this stuff. Yeah. Like at Pride, it was so fun,

Bonnie Violet: 22:52

and I tend to be more of like a wallflower type person. Yeah. Especially like in public settings or whatever. If I don't have to be on, so to speak. Mm-hmm. Then I'm just like, I'm cool with just kicking back and just Yeah. Watching what's happening. So, exactly. If you ever see me kind of in that zone, or I, I've had people say that like, I seem like I'm kind of a bitch because I don't. Maybe engage or you didn't come say hello to me and it was like, I didn't come say hello to you because I was being a bitch. I just was probably nervous. Yeah. Anxious. Uh, or I was just kind of like in my whole, in a whole nother world. Yeah. I would never intentionally just be like a bitch to anyone. Yeah.

Pacey: 23:31

Like the social anxiety, I, it's a

Bonnie Violet: 23:33

lot. Oh, it's big. Yeah. It, yeah, it's huge. And I think people assume when they see us on like podcasts or mm-hmm. You know, even like. And seeing something or whatever, they're gonna be like, oh, you're always outgoing. It's like, no, actually, and it's, it's surprising or maybe not so surprising how many people who are in the public eye very much are that way.

Pacey: 23:52

Yeah. I get comments on it sometimes. Yeah. They're, they just assume that I'm really confident and outgoing and I'm like, I am the opposite, but,

Bonnie Violet: 24:02

and yet you are too. I mean, not in a way that's like. I think it's, in a way, I mean,'cause you are, you are, um, you are smart, you know, a lot like you, you know what I mean? Like, you have reason to have confidence in like who you are and how you show up in the world. Like likewise, but it's like the anxiety. But there's still,

Pacey: 24:19

but yeah. But yeah, I, I think that what are you, what are you gonna do for self-care today?

Bonnie Violet: 24:31

Today.

Pacey: 24:31

Mm-hmm. Because,'cause today has been, like we've talked about it before, where even if it's a good day

Bonnie Violet: 24:39

mm-hmm.

Pacey: 24:39

And, you know, I'm doing things that I enjoy. Yeah. Yeah. My, my nervous system is still like,

Bonnie Violet: 24:47

yeah, yeah. Freaked

Pacey: 24:48

out. And I feel like today it's even more so because I can distract myself as much as I want, but I am very upset. And disturbed, like within?

Bonnie Violet: 24:58

Yeah. I mean, me and my partner, we made a nice, uh, we, we did tuna melts in between. That sounds good. In between the meetings and then now the recording of this, which was just nice to sit, sit back, you know, make a meal together and then chill. So that was nice. And then actually, I mean, meeting with you here today and just, we haven't. I feel like we haven't connected like this in a minute. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And so I was looking forward to just getting to be in the same re room with you. Mm-hmm. Um, I know this seems, and it is to some degree work related ish, but it also, like, I value our friendship and our connection and so I've never know. I've been thinking Frida's been outta town for a few days. My roommate, I'm hoping to get to see her. The comedy show workshop is tonight. Yeah. I've been going back and forth about whether or not I feel up to doing that, and so, yeah. I, I don't, I don't know. How about you?

Pacey: 25:49

I, you know, I'm really not sure either. Yeah. I, I want to, like, my knee jerk response is like, I want cheese fries, or nachos. Like, those are my comfort food when I want, why not? But I've been eating so much better lately. Mm-hmm. So maybe, but I don't know, maybe work on some art. I think that all of this anger. Um, I've gotta put it somewhere.

Bonnie Violet: 26:15

Mm-hmm.

Pacey: 26:15

So, channeling it into art somehow, I just, it feels like all of the phobia is getting so much louder, like not just on a national level with these laws, but even just day to day. Yeah. Personal interactions with people like downtown at like last night, my partner and I had a really weird interaction at the restaurant that we were at, and it's just, it feels like it's constant and it could just be that I'm looking for it now. Uh, right. But I don't, I don't believe

Bonnie Violet: 26:49

that that's, I mean, two things can be true.

Pacey: 26:51

Yeah. I

Bonnie Violet: 26:52

mean, it's reason for us to have anxiety mm-hmm. In public and be worried about those sorts of things. And, and people are doing shitty things too, you know what I mean? Yeah. It doesn't. Take away from it, but it can be confusing sometimes.

Pacey: 27:05

Yeah.

Bonnie Violet: 27:05

I just, I think I'm just

Pacey: 27:07

fed up and burnt out, and I've talked to a few people that have been talking, you know, about feeling similarly, like with the, with the burnout, like feeling like they can't go and be present at certain things like the protests, rallies, or events, but they're doing their. Advocacy through their work or whatever. Yeah. And I'm like, I, yeah,

Bonnie Violet: 27:31

yeah. I had to bounce the 50 51 mm-hmm. Rally last week, which I was bummed'cause it was like 4,000 people, which was awesome. Yeah. But, um, but I also, like, I just couldn't, I, I, I have some personal things going on and I just kind of had to create some space. To sit in that a little bit. Mm-hmm. And I just didn't have the capacity to like to show up. I watched it on TikTok. Yeah. So it was kind of like I was there. Yeah. But I just didn't feel like I could bring myself to, to go physically. It was a

Pacey: 28:02

lot like there because it's getting bigger. Mm-hmm. They're getting more protestors and there's this little shit child. Yeah. That made me so fucking mad. And, but then I'm also like, those things kind of, they tend to bring out, not the worst of me, but parts of me that I am trying to get rid of. Mm-hmm. So there, it probably speaks to the child in

Bonnie Violet: 28:25

you.

Pacey: 28:26

Yeah. Yeah, maybe, yeah, maybe because I was walking around filming a little bit. Mm-hmm. And, uh, right at the front, like behind the, the statue, so you could see like the whole view of like the courthouse, everything. Mm-hmm. Or the capitol. There are these two teenagers holding a Make America greet again.

Bonnie Violet: 28:41

Oh flag.

Pacey: 28:42

And they were there with their, their dad. As we see a lot, like people bring their children'cause their kids can't get in trouble and. I wasn't doing anything and these kids started talking shit to me and I immediately got mad.

Bonnie Violet: 28:57

Mm-hmm.

Pacey: 28:58

And I wasn't talking shit to like the dad or anything, but they were engaging with me and I was engaging back.

Bonnie Violet: 29:03

Mm-hmm.

Pacey: 29:04

And I know that, and the other people that were at the protest were doing, were getting weighed into what the it with these cases, I gotta go away.

Bonnie Violet: 29:12

Right, right. But it's

Pacey: 29:12

like they have every right to be there and they're only, they're there to instigate. But I just, I feel like I'm not at a place where I can deal with that shit. Yeah, I know. And it was not a good time you,

Bonnie Violet: 29:27

yeah.

Pacey: 29:27

And then after I left,'cause I had to leave because I went outta town, it seems like it was just, it got, it got real rowdy.

Bonnie Violet: 29:33

Yeah.

Pacey: 29:34

And there were a lot of. Not great things that happened.

Bonnie Violet: 29:37

Yeah. It seemed like there were a lot of mixed, uh, there was a lot happening all at once. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And a lot of opinions and a lot of like, just a lot of like conflicting things happening at the same time. Um, though overall it seemed pretty great. Yeah. And it was cool, I think to be part of the, again, the bigger picture, at least for me. I think it feels good to be like included in the rest of the country when they're talking about. You know, the rallies and Oh yeah. Who showed up and showed out and those sorts of things. It was sad to see someone get shot and killed in Salt Lake City. Yeah. Um, and some of the other things that happened

Pacey: 30:15

this

Bonnie Violet: 30:15

weekend.

Pacey: 30:15

Mm-hmm. But yeah, I agree. I, I think that, I don't know what it says about me as a person, but that kid made me so mad. Mm-hmm. But it really inspired me to. Completely changed my workout plan. Oh yeah. And yeah,

Bonnie Violet: 30:31

get even more buff. I'm not worried

Pacey: 30:33

about,'cause I had been cutting and I was trying to lower my body fat percentage so I could build muscle, but now I'm just like, I just need to get bigger. Just wanna get Yeah. Just because, and not because I wanted to like fight a child. That's not what I'm trying to say. We know. Um, but. Because I feel like having like a, a broad back and like a bigger frame, I would be able to pass better or at least blend in. Mm-hmm. And be more, or at least people also be like, I'm not gonna fuck with him. Yeah. Maybe. Yeah. A little bit. But I just, I feel like I would be able to blend in a little bit better and I, I hate that that's where we are now.'cause I've seen other people post about this. Mm-hmm. Particular thing where they've been starting to. Focus more on their body and what they can do to change it or if they're being unhealthy because of their, the perception of other people.

Bonnie Violet: 31:21

Yeah. It's like, it's like, I think that's one of those things that, like even early in my transition was like, I identify and see myself more as a queer woman. Mm-hmm. But there are times I wish I just tra I just passed as a cisgender woman because it would be easier. Mm-hmm. And I wonder how much, like, does that impact you? Do you like? I dunno.'cause sometimes I feel like, am I, am I trying or working toward having this look or this aesthetic because it'll be easier for society to consume me. Mm-hmm. Or is it what feels best to me? You know? And I don't think we get to, we get to, um, I think those just have to happen. Like, I don't think we get to just decide. Um, how we wanna look and how we wanna present ourselves without thinking about Yeah. How the world is going to interact with us.

Pacey: 32:11

Mm-hmm. Exactly. Yeah. I think things like today, like the Smei case, it's making things worse. Mm-hmm. And I, I know that this upcoming legislative session is going to be ruthless. Yeah. It's gonna be a fight. We're all gonna be in for a big fight and. I just don't, none of us want that. It's not fair.

Bonnie Violet: 32:37

Yeah.

Pacey: 32:37

And I think it's important to kind of know that that's coming. Uh, be fully aware of it, but take time to rest mm-hmm. For it and prioritize your mental health, your physical health. Get the rest that you need. So that way when we are fighting, we'll be ready.

Bonnie Violet: 32:55

Right. Yeah. So I, I guess kind of in summary a little bit, we wanna make, we wanna let you guys know. Again, there's gonna be more information coming out as information comes out. A CLU of Idaho is a really great local resource along with ourselves. Um, mama Dragons, there'll be some other folks that'll join again, but if you go to a CLU of Idaho at least, um, they're really great. Like, uh, main resource. Oh yeah. Everything kind of builds from there. Um, as if you're wanting to ensure that you're getting accurate information, you'll probably start hearing. I know I've seen so many, um, trans influencers talking about. The case today and everything. Yeah. And so there's a really good chance you might hear something that might be like, huh, I, I didn't hear that. Or is that true? And I would just encourage you to ch to look into it a little bit more and maybe not take everything at face value. Yeah. Um, and make sure that you're,'cause I don't think anyone needs any ill will. Mm-hmm. Um, there's just a lot happening and we're all doing what we can to try to like. Do something. Mm-hmm. About what is happening and, and try to do our part. And so I think the other aspect too is like just encouraging people to, to connect with your family, connect with your loved ones. If you're a trans or non-binary person, you might find yourself upset about this or in some sort of feelings or anger or whatever. Um, even if you're not a young person. So. I would just be mindful of that and do something for yourself tonight. Maybe the next couple of days. Whatever you need to do. Um, get around other trans and non-binary folks. We have a social support group, uh, tomorrow night as well as there's the queer festival this weekend. You know, go out to queer events, go out to the places and really let community hug you and hold you. And if you are an ally, check in on your trans and non-binary friends. Yeah. Um. There's a lot of different ways to do that. There's no right or wrong. There's no one way. Mm-hmm. To show a trans or non-binary person support that you love. So hopefully you know them well enough to know that they're the ones that need you to show up at their house and talk about it, or other people need to be distracted from it. Or sometimes you just need to be acknowledged, you know, or sent a hug or whatever. And so I would just encourage you to really think that and recognize that. Um. The trans and non-binary community took a blow today. Yeah. Um, regardless of where we're at and how the actual case is going to impact our day to day. Mm-hmm. And so I think it's just important for us all to recognize that, um, and, and to tend to ourselves and to tend to one another.

Pacey: 35:28

Absolutely. It's very well said. Yeah. It's gonna be, it's a fight. It's gonna continue to be a fight, but we are still surrounded by so much beauty and love. And it's really time to, to lean into that, you know? Agreed. So.

Bonnie Violet: 35:46

All right. Sounds like an episode. Sounds like one. Alright, thanks everyone. Take care. Be well.

Pacey: 35:52

Yeah. Bye-bye.