Dear Reader, Family, and Friends,
I’m posting this morning after a time away from this newsletter. Yesterday, I watched an hour-long video about the devastating impact of the current administration’s policies on trans folks. Our son cannot get a passport that matches his driver's license and birth certificate with his beautiful chosen name. Thankfully, we know he can still travel with his current passport, though it contains his dead name.
So far, TSA agents haven’t been transphobic, even when his appearance differs significantly from the photo taken four years ago—before his transition. But this is a privilege, not a guarantee.
When I came out seven years ago, some people dismissed it as a phase. Others assumed it was just because I had lived in liberal, queer-friendly places. When A. (our son) changed his name and pronouns, someone said, "Just don’t do anything medical." Clearly, this still haunts me to this day.
These words started as an email to my family and have become a public blog post. Part of the reason is that it is NONE of your business who I sleep with or what medical decisions my family or I make, period. I know many of you know this, but I am seeing that I am clearly still angry, especially based on these actions taking place in our public oligarch every day to so many of you.
Trans people have always existed and always will.
To those in the fight: I applaud you. How are you showing up? Let me know so I can join you or cheer you on. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
To those who look away—why?
Is it your trauma? Profound, deep hopes, breaths, and wishes for healing are coming your way.
Let’s get you into therapy or coaching so you can show up for your community. Perhaps you need a break for sanity; I get it. Take breaks from the news, but let’s build community so we can support each other through this unprecedented time.
For some, doing nothing—focusing on healing and avoiding harm—is the best thing to do. But for those of us with privilege, time, energy, and healing that has happened, the question is: How do we use it for good?
I recognize my privileges, some of which include my education, my economic status, and the fact that I am white. I am able-bodied and cis-leaning. I navigate ADHD and mild dyslexia; some days, this feels super heavy. And I continuously work to unpack and leverage my privilege in the fight for justice. Imperfectly.
Action Items: How to Fight Back
The U.S. Department of State is trying to deny transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people accurate passports. Public comments on three proposed rules are open—your voice matters!
Submit a comment here:
DS-11: Passport Application – Due March 17
DS-82: Passport Renewal – Due March 20
DS-5504: Name Change/Corrections – Due March 20
Easy Ways to Submit Your Comment
Need guidance?
A4TE is hosting a Comment-a-thon on Thursday at 7 PM ET to walk you through the process. Register here.
Tips for Submitting a Powerful Comment:
Comments can be anonymous via the Federal Register website.
Personalize your comment—unique stories carry more weight.
More resources: #1 is a place to follow steps to write to Gov. Gavin Newsom, which is more powerful if you live in CA. #2 is my link tree where I update these actions on live documents—moving to Notion soon, away from Google. Stay tuned on that one :)
#1 📄 Google Doc
#2 🌎 Linktree
We can’t afford to be silent. Let’s fight together. On my link tree, I will keep updating the document “Thoughts on therapists and resistance”, which lives on Notion, a private enough open link.
With love and solidarity, Bridget
Warmly,
Bridget Bertrand (she/her)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT 83020)
Expressive Arts Facilitator - Coach
Do you know someone who needs therapy? If so, please pass this on. I have space for adults from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. most days of the week.
📞 650-539-4325
📍 Flood Building
870 Market Street, Room 953, San Francisco, CA 94102
🚗 Parking: 123 O'Farrell St (or enter via 71 Ellis St)
I pay land tax to the Ramaytush Ohlone people as I work and live on their stolen lands. Please consider contributing in an amount you can—look up whose land you are on.
My link tree again: