Jessie Earl
patreon
There Is Still Hope
🕑 Added 2024-11-06 14:30:51 +0000 UTCI carry within me a thousand quiet storms, each one murmuring its own grief, its own rage, its own sorrow—and I know, in this moment, I am not alone. I know you, too, are feeling it, all of us bearing witness to the same cruel truth. Perhaps, in time, I will have more to offer—more words that are clear, more thoughts that are useful—but for now, this is all I can say:
Tonight, America chose hatred. And in doing so, it has reminded me of a truth I cannot forget: this country has always chosen hatred. It has always cloaked itself in the robes of freedom, justice, and progress, selling itself as a beacon of hope to those willing to believe. But beneath that shining mask, the truth is cold and unmistakable: it was never about hope for all. It was a system built to preserve its own power, its own interests, and its own reign of oppression. Hope was its currency, its bait, used to lure us in, to make us believe that we could belong, that we could rise—while the very gears of the system ground down those who would never truly have a chance to thrive. And tonight, this bitter choice—this loud, ugly declaration of hatred—pulls the curtain back again, exposing the lie that a better tomorrow has always been just beyond our reach.
A part of me—the part that once clung to the belief that a better future was inevitable—feels crushed beneath the weight of this revelation. That hope, once a quiet whisper, is now a distant echo, slipping further away with each passing moment. Worse still, a darker part of me, the one that once murmured quietly, now speaks with unflinching clarity: What a fool I was to believe in it. It tells me there will be no better tomorrow. It tells me that such things are impossible—that what we have left is only endurance, only survival in a world that asks for nothing but our submission to pain and death.
To imagine a world unchanged—unyielding, unforgiving, endless in its cruelty—this thought suffocates me. It is a weight upon my chest, pressing down until I cannot breathe. It cuts deeper than fear, shaking the very foundations of everything I have believed, everything I have fought for.
But then, in the depths of this despair, I remember why I’ve fought. I remember that I was never fighting for my own tomorrow, even though part of me secretly longed to see it—longed to see that better future unfold before my eyes. And now that part of me knows I will never see it, that knowledge hurts more than I could have ever expected. But I know now: that future was never mine to claim. It was never what I fought for. I fought for something more.
We fight for each other. We fight not for a better tomorrow, but for each other today. Because as long as we are here, there is hope. It may be fragile, it may be fleeting, but as long as we remember that the truest essence of humanity lies in the fight for each other’s dignity, there is hope. Hope against those who would strip us of our humanity, who would reduce us to mere cogs in a machine that knows only death.
And in that hope, there is love—a love that transcends fear, a love that endures beyond the darkness. It is love for ourselves and each other that keeps us reaching for something better, something worth fighting for.
As long as that love remains, a better future can still be. Even if I never live to see it. Even if my role in this struggle is simply to make sure that hope survives, even if I only fight to ensure that the possibility of that future stays alive.
The truths of the human heart—our compassion, our connection—will never be extinguished, no matter how long the fight to erase it lasts. It will be hard. It will be violent. We will lose more than we can bear. But in the end, no matter how long it takes, we will always find one another. We are here for those who remember, for those whom the world has forgotten, for those whose names we will carry in our hearts, for those who will come after us, and who, despite everything, will still dare to dream of a world not ruled by hatred.
America has always been a system of power built on the backs of those it claimed to liberate. It sold us the dream of liberty, justice, and equality—the shining city on a hill, the land of opportunity. But these promises were always wrapped in contradictions, ideals upheld by systems of violence, exploitation, and exclusion. Built on white supremacy—on the backs of slaves, on the slaughter of indigenous peoples, on the suffocation of queer difference—it tried to convince us that it was hope, that it was a new world where anyone could rise. But that was never the hope of the people—it was the hope that served power, the hope that maintained oppression under the guise of freedom.
True hope is found in those of us who see each other, who stand together, who remember one another even when the world asks us to forget. True hope is in the fight for each other’s dignity, the struggle to preserve the humanity that no system can ever fully destroy. It is the hope of those who refuse to bow to the false promises of this broken system, who choose to see the world for what it truly is—a beautiful, fractured thing—and to act against those forces that would tear us apart by telling us that the world is only pain. In a country that claims to be the land of the free, the real freedom is found in our solidarity, in our love for one another, in our refusal to be divided.
That is the true promise. That is the true hope. The hope that, even when America’s systems of power fail us, we will remain. We will fight. We will reach within, to our hearts, and we will reach toward one another. And from that place—no matter how dark or bright the world may become—that is where the better tomorrow will rise. It is where it always has been.
This morning, the sun still rose. Despite everything, the sun still rose. And it reminds me, as Tolkien once said, that there is goodness in this world beyond the reach of evil. We carry that impossible goodness in our hearts—and that is why I have hope.
Don’t you dare let it go. Don’t you dare give up on it.
As an out trans person, I fought once to bring that goodness to the forefront of my being—and I will never let it retreat into the shadows. I refuse. That refusal is my first step in the fight. And I will fight endlessly to remind each and every one of you, to remind all who choose to hope by reaching for each other, that that goodness lives in you too. I will reach for it, always. And I ask you, with all my heart, to reach for me.
The destination has not changed. The road goes ever onward—it is simply longer, and darker, than we thought. But it continues.
I love you all.
Comments
frogsmore
I love you too Jessie. It is good that Love is All We Need, because love is all we have... in the end
YogaDadBod
William Blake: “There is a Moment in each Day that Satan cannot find Nor can his Watch Friends find it, but the Industrious find This Moment and it multiply, and when it once is found It Renovates every Moment of the Day if rightly placed.” Jessie, I hope you and everyone else struggling at this dark turn can find that Moment. Peace & Love.
Mazz0626
I am so sorry that your emotional bandwidth is being split at a time like this. On top of everything else, it's not fair.
Leotha Boyd
Democratic are already blaming transgender support for their loss. This is from a democratic congress woman in Michigan
3 Muppets In a Trench Coat
Jessie I am so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Loss heaped on loss. As a Canadian watching Christian Nationalism and hate rise in our own country, I am grateful to hear and read your poignant, powerful voice.
Bryan
I just want to shout-out my grandmother as well. She also passed away recently but I glad I had time with her because she introduced me to several of the people that stood up. I'm still friends with a wonderful mother we met up in Central Maine because we formed an instant friendship from the fact that she unconditionally loves her autistic son. I also have very fond memories of wishing him a happy birthday over zoom. (I closed my zoom account but before I got rid of it I followed through with his request of doing a birthday song with cue cards. He asked for a "song and a card" so I went with his mom to get the reading speed just right. He has a great sense of humor too!)
Tara Rose
I can't engage with a lot as regards the election, right now, but I did with this. I am sorry for your loss, I am furious you do not have the space to center that feeling wholly. Staying here is hard right now, not gonna lie. But I'ma do it.
Jesse gartung
They voted trump because they think he’ll save the entertainment industry from “wokeness” which was never true. Like they think audiences are still interested in sexy girls. I’ve did a blog about this here go have a read . And do they really think a film that has buff action stars and women as tools is what people are interested in!? Keep in mind these jerks were mad at the Barbie movie which made bank and was good. But said nothing about the Expendable 4 which was widely panned and was a box office bomb a film that check marks everything a grifter likes https://docs.google.com/document/d/10RDOjWDmyibHvsIl1YiS-dOg3ar7becOwGV6hQId6cg/edit
POMMERA Pierre-Emmanuel
Thank you, after what happen, I think this is what I need to hear. Eventhough I'm french, I'm very sad about this result and I fear my country while be the next to fall into hate's hands. I admire you, you're one of the bravest person I ever see and I wish you all the luck that you can get ! God bless you !
Richard Guidorizzi
Jessie does have this amazing ability to see past the anger and hurt and move to a place where she can help all people move forward. It is one of the more amazing things about her!
Richard Guidorizzi
Extremely well put (as usual). I am sorry that it is not be now but it makes be think about some of my friends. Older gay men who were unable be themselves when they were young who had to fight for those (like one of my sons) who can now safely be themselves. Let us hope that when you are a graying lady in her 50s you can talk to the new generation of trans youths about the fights you had (and are about to start) in your youth and how you won their right to be their own true selves. The stories like ST TNG and LoTR are wonderful but now is what it is like to really fight against evil, and we will stand with you.
SuperDezzy
Hallo friend. I'm still processing my emotions about the election. I'm experiencing the expected range of negative emotions, and it's gonna take a while for me to work through them all and think clearly and productively once again. I look forward and see more anger for Dezzy on the horizon, as the cabinet is filled out, as the agenda is set, and that first year when they will revel and indulge in their power. I don't know if I'll be out till 2026, but I just don't have the ability to function beyond the basic care and support that our community needs right now. It's taking a lot of restraint right now to not just devolve into rage-filled word salad. Point being, I've lost faith in this country. I'd leave if I could (I can't, there's no where to go and I don't have the means to pack up stakes and start over in a new country). It's more than the bigotry and racism and cruelty on display. It's just that it's been on display for ten years now and last night I can not deny this is what we, as a country, enthusiastically want. We want an Emperor sitting enthroned among the monuments to sacrifice and liberty. We want a man to point at all the "others" we don't like and say that it's ok to hate them. That's not the country I loved. So I feel, just like you described, the fool, a naive, idealistic idiot who somehow believed we could turn a corner. I don't know where I'm going to go after this. I wish all of you the love you've deserved, I'll pour all mine into the pool of our collective family. Because, especially now, all we have is one another.
Joanne Feaster
Thank you, Jessie. When I woke today, I posted a response to a Facebook friend, and my response was pure, distilled bitterness and bile. Then I read your post, and...I needed this. I NEEDED to know that my anger was justified, but that a new day eventually dawns. I needed mother to kiss my hurts and tell me it'll be better. I needed your calm, rational vision to keep from sinking into dispare, because while Trump's Evil is blunted by his stupidity, J.D.Vance is pure entitled Evil. That man is our impending doom.
Lam Zwerfpaard
I still just can't believe it. I stayed up all night to watch the polls and then at 8:00AM (my time) when Fux called it, I got numb. By that point I was already working (from home). The only slight comfort was to see that my direct colleagues were just as appalled. I joined this company recently so wasn't too sure how they leaned, but we weren't that productive. Finishing tasks that is, because the chat has just started some well-deserved rest.
cs
They gutted our democracy to "save it" courted war criminals and punched left hard, all of which failed to deliver anything. Because duh, the Biden administration is THE ONLY ones who could lose to Trump. By design. Complicit doesn't begin to describe my feelings about the Democratic party. We have A LOT of work to do.
Henly
All I did last night was watch a nature documentary about prehistory. Earth has experienced devastating, apocalyptic mass extinction events, and every time she has come back. This country was messed up from the start, and a lot of times it's one step forward & two steps back, and yet we have made progress.
Trans Fur Productions
Thank you. This was hopeful.
Seth Richards
Thank you for posting this, Jessie. It made me cry but helped me process.
Benjamin Moore
I needed to hear that more than I thought I did. Thank you for writing and sharing it.
Coreen Montagna
Thank you for turning these dark things into new forms of hope. As a white, straight-passing American citizen in a blue state, I don't have much to fear for myself, but I'm devastated and terrified for all my more marginalized friends and parafriends. I feel numb at the moment, but want to work toward channeling the darkness into more useful energy for positive change, regardless of who runs the system.
Marvel
Sending you and anyone else who needs it today strength and support!
Jinty M
It's such a strange moment to find that the true and pure essence of hope can only be found in the utter gloom of despair. Is that because it's when we most need it, or because it's what remains when false promises are snuffed out? Either way I'm strangely grateful for the clarity I've woken with this morning. Supporting from the heart does precious little without being ready to step into the currently bare fields to proactively begin the slow, thankless work of cultivating real hope for the world I want for my sister's kid. A kid who is pure love and joy; and who hasn't begun to tell us who they are yet. I'll be damned if let this current world prevent that beautiful kid from fully being whoever they truly are! So thank you Jessie for these painfully beautiful reflections. They were precisely what I needed to refocus on nurturing true hope not wallowing in stagnant horror. Love to you all xx
Abigail van Roode
Thank you for writing this and sending it. When I saw the news I felt so much fear for the whole country, but especially for my trans daughter. Your words have lifted my heart a bit. I will continue to stand together with you!
rdm51
Thank you. I really needed to hear that today.
Dave Fisher
I will get better 🫶🏾🌻🏳️⚧️🦋
Kate Robinson
This is beautiful, Jessie. Despair is the last thing we need.
Keith Morse
Thank you, Jessie. I needed to read this. Could I have your permission to send this to my friends outside of Patreon (obviously citing/crediting you for it)?
Sylvie
Thank you, Captain. It’s been hard to see you and Erin Reed both so shaken. I’m terrified. But I feel something else too. I yet draw breath, and much like you, I have no intention of going anywhere, or giving in. I don’t want to let anything happen to any of the rest of us. I’m here to stand in solidarity with everyone else under threat. Let’s give ‘em hell.
Miranda Ketita
that was beautiful Jessie, thank you. It's in my nature to fall into despair; my life has made me very cynical. When I learned I was trans, I was given a reason to fight against that. For every trans person that never had a chance, for every trans child under threat, for my trans found family I love dearly, and for the little girl I never was. I will fight for all of you. To the bitter end.
Superlaser Seth
Thank you. I needed to hear something like this.
Christine Smith
Beautifully said thank you for writing it. Love you and all my LGBTIA+ people
Conrad
Thank you.
The Family Barlev
The mantra I'm repeating is as follows:remember that giving into despair accomplishes nothing. Take care of the people around you, foster safe spaces to the best of your ability. Speak out when you witness evil and, where and if you can, stand in its way. Believe it or not, there have been worse times in US history, even / especially for persecuted minorities. And if this is the time the system finally comes crashing down, more's the reason to act with intention to lay the seeds of what comes next.
Rickochet
Jessie, thank you for putting into words my exact feeling when I woke up today. I'm reaching for you, for all of us. I refuse to have the hope snuffed out of me.
ms. horrible
well put
Kitsune
Thank you for this. While I am not in America, this impacts us all. And the fear in me is suffocating right now, months of progress in healing and building resilience crumbled again. But your words are a beautiful beacon of hope. We will continue. Our survival and our strength always lies in compassion. Please stay safe - all of you.
Bryan
Stay Safe Jessie. Worried for Maine Today. The Northen Frontier has always had ties to fascism. I meet some wonderful friends while visiting Central Maine. I just hope that the people who stood up to bigotry are doing alright.
Carrie Ryuko
Thank you for this!
Maunzekatze
Jessie, your words made me cry. You are so strong, and I love you for it. THANK YOU for not letting go of the hope, thank you for your refusal. We will continue the fight, you are not alone in this. Sending love and support from Germany 🖖
Vince Whitacre
Love you Jessie. The world is better because you (and everyone in this community) are in it. Sadly we're sometimes reminded that "better" doesn't mean "good" - but it does mean that ultimately we're measured by what we give to people, not what we take from them. Love, courage, blessings to everyone here.
Victor Field
Hugs from a commiserating Brit from across the Atlantic.
BinaryUnicycle
Thank you. I needed this today. 🫂
BlairKraybill
It's hard to find something to believe in in a time like his, but you did it and helped me find it in the process. Thank you
Austin Birds Gay Cousin
Life before death strength before weakness journey before destination
Jeroen Heijster (MoonRaven)
As a dutch person, I'm so sorry to see this happen... Stay safe and take care everyone..
Am1vf
Stay strong, Jessie. 🫂
Robyn Thomas
I'm crushed for you all. I'm touched by your message, Jessie. I don't even live in USA and I'm feeling it. Whoever you are, please, stay safe. As I intend to. I'm thinking of having a suitcase in the hall, ready, just in case, though I have no idea where I might go with it. The world's getting darker, and yet there are still reasons to hope.
You_With_The_Face
If you can't live for yourself, live out of spite. Don't make their day by folding, make it hard for them.
Taigan
In 2004 and 2016, I was so despondent about the outcomes of the elections I fantasized about self-immolation in protest. Just flying down to DC, going to the national mall with a container of gasoline and a lighter. Really show how I felt about the choices America had made. But, this time, I don’t want to do that. Not because it’s not as bad this time. (No, this is MUCH worse than either of those.) But the difference now is that I no longer feel like my life is meaningless. I care about myself too much to throw my life away in a gesture. So, it seems like the future is going to suck. But fuck it, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.
Anja R
I really needed a message of hope this morning, so thank you.
Meaghan Ramsay
Powerful words, Jessie- I can only commiserate from across the Atlantic. Stay strong and stay united against fascism.
Rick Sjolin (BearGriz72)
#ZenHugs for anyone who wants them!
