I am beyond sad. I just I don’t know what to do.
I know people who said they were going to vote for Trump who claim to care about gay rights, but no one could care about gay rights and vote for Trump; they just couldn’t.
Every single person I know who supports Trump is straight, white and married: every single one
When he becomes dictator and decides to start rounding up everyone who is queer, are so-called allies going speak up for us or are they going to hand us over willingly?
How many women who are pregnant and miscarry are gonna be denied healthcare because they’re mistaken for having had an abortion? How many women who are raped or a victim of incest are going to be denied abortions?
What kind of control will be exerted over women?
I have so many questions and concerns. I just can’t understand how anyone could vote for Donald Trump. I just can’t. There isn’t enough alcohol to get me through this.
I also worry about what’s going to happen to books and reading and newspapers and intellectual freedom.?
This all is a nightmare on acid.
And I can’t help but think of this transcript from a scene of a movie that is hitting way too close to home right now:
I know there’s no way I can convince you this is not one of their tricks. But I don’t care. I am me.
My name is Valerie. I don’t think I’ll live much longer, and I wanted to tell someone about my life.
This is the only autobiography that I’ll ever write, and – God – I’m writing it on toilet paper.
I was born in Nottingham in 1985. I don’t remember much of those early years. But I do remember the rain. My grandmother owned a farm in Tottlebrook, and she used to tell me that God was in the rain.
I passed my eleven plus, and went to a girl’s grammar. It was at school that I met my first girlfriend. Her name was Sarah.
It was her wrists – they were beautiful. I thought we would love each other forever. I remember our teacher telling us that it was an adolescent phase that people outgrew.
Sarah did.
I didn’t.
In 2002 I fell in love with a girl named Christina. That year I came out to my parents. I couldn’t have done it without Chris holding my hand.
My father wouldn’t look at me. He told me to go and never come back. My mother said nothing.
I’d only told them the truth. Was that so selfish? Our integrity sells for so little, but it is all we really have.
It is the very last inch of us.
And within that inch, we are free.
I’d always known what I’d wanted to do with my life, and in 2015 I started my first film: The Salt Flats.
It was the most important role of my life. Not because of my career, but because that was how I met Ruth. The first time we kissed, I knew I never wanted to kiss any other lips but hers again.
We moved to a small flat in London together. She grew scarlet carsons for me in our window box. And our place always smelt of roses.
Those were the best years of my life.
But America’s war grew worse and worse, and eventually came to London.
After that there were no roses anymore. Not for anyone.
I remember how the meaning of words began to change. How unfamiliar words like “collateral” and “rendition” became frightening. When things like norsefire and the articles of allegiance became powerful. I remember how different became dangerous.
I still don’t understand it: why they hate us so much.
They took Ruth while she was out buying food. I’ve never cried so hard in my life. It wasn’t long until they came for me.
It seems strange that my life should end in such a terrible place.
But for three years I had roses – and apologised to no-one.
I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch.
But one.
An inch.
It is small and it is fragile, and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us.
I hope that - whoever you are - you escape this place. I hope that the world turns, and that things get better.
But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you, and even though I may not meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you: I love you.
With all my heart.
I love you.
-Valerie.
