November 8th, our country followed their civic duty to go out and vote. And we stayed up late that night watching the numbers come in, fingers crossed, hoping one way or another. And maybe you're happy with that result, and I guess that is your decision, but this article is not for you, so kindly bite your tongue.
This article is for our country in mourning. This article is for the people who did their civic duty, who tried and fought and clawed for their rights. This is for the people who held their breath and waiting for Michigan and Pennsylvania to finish counting to see where our country was headed.
This is for every single American who isn't exactly proud to call themselves that today, who is about to spend four years fearing for their life, their family, their happiness, and their country.
This is for you.
Because I finally went to bed somewhere in the wee hours of morning after texting all of my LGBTQA+ friends, and telling them I love them and I will support them and I will defend their rights. Because those same friends are scared now. Scared of conversion therapy, or annulled marriages, or having to hide who they really are. This is for the LGBTQA+ people who are still hiding their true selves, and now have even less desire to come out because they don't know what tomorrow will bring for their people.
This is for the people of color, the Latinx, the Middle Eastern, the African Americans, whoever you are. This is for you and your fear of deportation and your fear to leave your home. Please, please stay strong. Take comfort in whatever beliefs or god you have, and be still in him.
This is for the women, the strong women whos ancestors fought for us to cast our vote and for us to have a choice over our body and what happens to it. This is for the women who are scared that rape culture just took five steps forward, I feel your pain. And I hope that you all stand behind Mr. Trumps victims and rally around them as they fight the hardest battle of their lives.
This is for everyone who jokes about leaving the country and had a friend look them in the eye last night and say they hoped they couldn't come back.
This is for all of you Americans who are waiting to see what you can do to make America Safe Again, because you need to hear it the most right now: You are loved. I will personally spread love to each and every one of you. Please stay strong. Please don't be afraid to keep on fighting your own fights, and to live and to find a way to be happy again.
America is entering a dark four years, and we need love now more than ever.
