Lisa Melton, an early-2000s Apple colleague:

My post here should be a celebration of my coming out publicly. On Mastodon, no less. Two years ago today. Yay! I’m still so surprised at and so grateful for the positive reaction I received there. Those are good people.

But this is more than an anniversary party. It’s a vulgar rant. It’s catharsis. It’s a celebration of a different kind of triumph.

And it’s a long story. So, strap in and get uncomfortable. Just like I did.

Lisa paints a harrowing tale of a gender confirmation surgery delayed by unexpected medical issues and further exacerbated by the unwelcome “orange-faced fascist returning to power”—a potentially deadly combination that could prevent her from completing this “life saving” surgery:

I am not hysterical when I say that Cheeto Jesus and his goons are trying to exterminate me and every other trans person in this country. And while they’re at it, make sure no one else ever considers or attempts transition. Mind you, just that last plan will kill people.

She ends:

That’s where we are, folks. That’s how bad it is for trans people. Wake. The. Fuck. Up!

Am I angry and bitter about this? You’re goddamn right I am.

Now, I’m still going do my best to thrive, and not just survive, in spite of all of this horror. But that doesn’t mean I’m okay with it.

You shouldn’t be either.

Especially relevant in light of the recent Supreme Court decision to deny minors the right to gender-affirming care.