Living as a transgender woman in conservative Idaho presents challenges that often weigh heavily on me. I’ve frequently found myself concerned for my and my family’s safety and questioning when, if ever, it might be time to leave. Transgender rights have already been eroded here, and the uncertainty about what lies ahead is daunting. To identify when I no longer feel comfortable being here, I have outlined three specific events that would push me to leave my home, though I pray every day that none of them ever come to pass. Boise is my home, and I want it to stay that way. These potential triggers are:
- Access to Medication: As part of my gender transition, I take Spironolactone and Estradiol. Spironolactone blocks testosterone from binding to androgen receptors, diminishing its masculinizing effects. Estradiol, identical to the estrogen naturally produced by ovaries, helps feminize my body. This medication is not optional; it is essential to my identity and well-being. Any legislation that outright bans my access to this medication or pressures medical providers to cease prescribing it would directly undermine my ability to live as my authentic self.
- Public Restroom Access: Using public restrooms – whether in theaters, restaurants, or concert venues – is a basic, everyday necessity. However, oppressive laws or social intimidation could make these spaces unsafe and unwelcoming, depriving me of this fundamental right and making it difficult to navigate public life with dignity.
- Sexual and Marital Rights: In Justice Clarence Thomas’s opinion in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, he expressed interest in also overturning other cases that clarified rights, including Griswold v. Connecticut (contraception access), Lawrence v. Texas (private consensual sexual acts), and Obergefell v. Hodges (same-sex marriage). With Idaho’s Constitution (Article III, Section 28) functioning as a trigger law to reinstate a ban on same-sex marriage, I worry that other aspects of personal autonomy could be jeopardized should these federal cases be overturned.
These are lines in the sand that – if crossed – will necessitate my departure from Idaho. Moving forward, I don’t have to fret about when I need to move. For now, I remain here – home, in Boise – resolute in living as fully as possible despite these potential threats looming over me. I draw strength and joy from my partners’ company, my friends’ support, creating art, studying Mormonism, and worshipping Heavenly Mother. These things keep me grounded and hopeful during these difficult times, and i will remember to rely upon them when things begin to look bleak.