Like 4.5 million other TikTok users, I’ve recently become enamored with Dylan Mulvaney, a spritely Los Angeles-based performer who came out earlier this year as a transgender woman. In her “Days of Girlhood” video series, Dylan charts her own gender exploration with some typical milestones — getting her nails done, trying new makeup styles — and some less typical ones — talking hair with Jonathan Van Ness, appearing in ads for Kate Spade. What makes Dylan such a joy to watch, however, is her joy. With unbridled and endless optimism, she seems to have a permanent smile, an endless wardrobe of pastels, and a sense that anything is possible.

Switching from her videos to the latest headlines about trans rights can feel like switching between alternate universes. How, after all, can any trans person greet the world with so much energy and aplomb while lawmakers enact increasingly-cruel attacks on trans rights? From worsening rates of mental health crises among trans youth to violent attacks against trans women of color to the emboldened attitude of anti-trans extremists, Dylan’s bright demeanor can feel impossible for the rest of us to replicate.

But it’s precisely the joy she musters that each of us need to fight back. There is a stark difference between naive optimism and conscious, purposeful joy. A blind trust that everything will turn out fine is a deadening stance for any movement to take — particularly the fight for transgender equality, whose gains are recent, shallow, and fragile. But so, too, does cynicism and pessimism kill motivation to action. Neither progress nor defeat is inevitable, and buying into either myth can mute the motivation needed to fight for real, lasting change.

Trans joy, in particular, can be revolutionary in and of itself. Before and after leaving the closet, many trans people are surrounded by alarms about the dangers we may face — some real, some imagined, and some more telling about cisgender people’s anxieties than they are of actual risks we face. Countless headlines about violence, suicide, and discrimination combine with the false narratives of anti-trans activists to suggest our lives outside the closet will be little more than misery, subjugation, and regret.

Even when grounded in a desire to address the material harms transgender people face, however, these one-sided narratives about the trans experience can end up reinforcing a status quo which is hostile to our existence. By transgressing or breaking the gendered boxes so much of our society treats as sacrosanct, the misery of trans people can feel like a fable about the ills that befall people who question gender norms and expectations. This mythology is then weaponized against our progress, suggesting it is too costly, too difficult, or altogether impossible.

But the suffering of transgender people is a policy choice disguised as an inevitability. This is why our joy — your joy — is so indispensable as a fuel for action. Particularly when the news of the world only seems to grow dimmer and darker, it’s more critical than ever to prove transgender joy is a reality within our grasp. To prove that with the right material and social support, our lives can be as fulfilling and meaningful as anyone else’s. That even when forces larger than us try to break our spirit, we can respond as forcefully and effectively with joy as we can with anger, defiance, and protest.

This is hardly a lesson many transgender people need to learn. Even amid an unparalleled assault on our rights, the number of trans people comfortable enough to live openly continues to grow. The future of transgender rights is absolutely uncertain — we must be clear-eyed about the many growing threats we face to our safety, dignity, and liberty. But within uncertainty is also a chance for hope. Like Dylan’s vibrant appeal to optimism and celebration, darkness is an opportunity for your own light to shine brighter.

Reproductive rights are under attack like never before across the country, with devastating consequences for pregnant people, especially those who are not able to afford to travel in search of essential health care they need. Fortunately, New Mexico has a long tradition of respecting reproductive health decisions, and our state laws are among the best in the nation when it comes to protecting access to abortion. 

Q: Can you tell us what’s going on with reproductive rights?

Dakota Waterson (DW): 2022 has already been a tough year for reproductive rights in the U.S. We have seen a record-breaking number of harmful abortion bans being introduced and passed. The future of abortion rights, and all reproductive rights, are at risk in the Supreme Court this spring. 

As of March 31, 1,884 pieces of legislation around abortion have been introduced across the country. This includes some proactive legislation, but it is mostly made up of harmful measures and abortion bans. 

This is a crucial moment for our rights and there is no time to lose. The movement has been working tirelessly to fight back against all the attacks and work towards living in a world where reproductive justice values are a reality.  

New Mexico has a proud history of protecting and expanding access to reproductive healthcare, but we are also continually working to expand access to comprehensive and medically accurate sexual and reproductive health education, contraception, pregnancy, prenatal healthcare, and gender affirming care.

Q: How does what’s happening in neighboring states affect New Mexico?

DW: New Mexico abortion clinics have seen a massive increase in patients coming from a wide variety of neighboring states and states across the country to receive reproductive healthcare. 

Since Texas passed the horrendous SB8, almost all people seeking abortion care have had to travel to surrounding states such as Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Texas Policy Evaluation Project stated that 27 percent of Texans seeking abortion care traveled to New Mexico between September and December of 2021. This study also states that 45 percent of Texans seeking abortion care traveled to Oklahoma to receive care. Now that Oklahoma has passed its newest abortion ban, Texans who were traveling to Oklahoma as well as Oklahomans will have to travel even further to states like New Mexico. 

More patients coming to our state has led to increased waiting times for New Mexicans seeking abortion and reproductive health care access. Our clinics have had to expand their hours of service and hire more staff to meet the demand. 

Abortion funds in New Mexico have seen an influx of applications and people seeking help paying for their abortions, their travel, hotel rooms, and childcare. 

New Mexico does not currently have harmful barriers like our neighboring states, which means our health care providers continue to be able to show up and provide high-quality care to our communities and our neighbors. 

Q: What are some good things happening in New Mexico to protect reproductive rights?

DW: I’m really excited to answer this question. New Mexico has been passing proactive reproductive health, rights, and justice legislation for years. 

In 2019 we worked on passing the Health Coverage for Contraception bill, which increased access to contraception for New Mexicans, which means no co-pays for contraception under the Affordable Care Act and allows for 6 months of contraception at one time. It covers hormonal contraception as well as vasectomies and condoms.

In 2020 we worked on passing the Pregnant Worker Accommodation Act which guarantees protections for pregnant workers including the right to reasonable accommodations.

In 2021, we repealed an outdated pre-Roe abortion ban that made abortion illegal in the state, protecting access in New Mexico if and when Roe is overturned.

And in 2022 we worked on removing the gross receipt tax on menstrual hygiene products. So as of July 1, New Mexicans will no longer have to pay taxes on menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and period cups. We also expanded pregnancy-related Medicaid which now covers postpartum care for a full year, from 60 days previously.

Q: While there is so much great work happening in New Mexico to protect and expand reproductive rights, it’s hard watching our neighbors in other states having to fight so hard. What can we do? How can we help?

DW: Great question. Watching what’s happening in the country makes me extremely motivated. 

Some ways for people to help are to get involved with organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Bold Futures, we have so many wonderful local organizations at the forefront of this fight. Attend events that these organizations are hosting and continue to educate yourself about what’s happening. 

The next thing is to vote! Find out where legislators stand on issues important to you. If you don’t like how they voted on reproductive issues, vote them out. And, lastly, if you can, donate to abortion funds. These funds have always needed support, but they need us now more than ever before.