And if you’d decide to leave, where would you go?
Context for why I’m asking: I’m trans and currently live in Minnesota, I moved here from Florida so I have some idea of how miserable big moves can be. I can get EU citizenship which makes me very lucky, but… Do I sit here and hope Minnesota can protect me from 🥭 or do I try to build a life somewhere else, again?
in a heartbeat. most modern countries are better than the united states in demonstrable, meaningful ways.
I can get EU citizenship which makes me very lucky
You said “can get”, implying you haven’t done so yet. My advice? Get the EU citizenship. Simply getting EU citizenship doesn’t commit you to actually moving overseas.
That said, things aren’t that bad right now, but it’ll take time to process the paperwork. By the time things get bad enough to force you, you may not have the time to wait for your application to be processed. Plus, depending on the number of refugees, they may change the rules on who qualifies.
Worst thing that happens is that you spend some time, effort and money and you get some peace of mind, which isn’t a terrible thing at all.
This is the right answer. OP has a very privileged advantage not many people have, and not taking advantage of the opportunity would be such a waste, given they are actually considering it in the first place. And you’re right, getting citizenship doesn’t mean they have to move immediately, it just opens the door for options if shit hits the fan and they actually need to leave.
I personally would not. I’ve lived most of my life now in a very blue area in a very red state, and I love it here. But, while I put the “B” in LGBTQ and am in a committed relationship that’s far from monogamous, I’m superficially a cishet white man, and in general I’m treated with more respect by people who have irrational prejudices than many others.
I use that respect to advocate for the rights of others, and I’m not going to stop being an advocate in Texas. I have friends who are gay, lesbian, and trans who feel the same way and aren’t going anywhere. I would like them all to fight by my side, but I also don’t begrudge anyone who feels like they need to leave this state for safety reasons. This applies particularly acutely to parents of trans children who have to leave to access gender affirming care and not be subject to prosecution.
All that said, if you’re not an EU citizen but are eligible for citizenship, that does sound like an enticing option. How long would it take you to establish citizenship there? At that point, you’d have dual citizenship and could freely move on either continent. So it boils down to whether you want that or not. Minnesota seems like a fine place to live (but way colder than I could ever tolerate), but so do some EU countries. How will you adapt to the culture? Will you be alright living in an entirely different culture or will you miss US culture too much? What does your current support system look like, and how would you feel about leaving it? You’ve got a lot to think about!
If you’re tired of Minnesota, come to Portland! We’ve got your back here.
But I’d get that citizenship anyway.
It depends on so many factors. How well you can and more importantly if you are willing to appear “passing”, and/or if you are in a local area that is accepting. You will likely never be “proud” of the USA again, sadly, if that’s a thing for you. It’s worth grieving that.
On the other hand, big moves REALLY suck! And that’s not to be undertaken lightly, even if only for consideration of timing. Would you be abandoning family, possibly someone who you want to become family but aren’t ready to move to another country with? That kind of thing.
It helps to think it all through, be kind to yourself in the meantime, and think like: “which would I later regret the most, looking back?” You may legit want to wait a few years first, or, you might not. Maybe either way give yourself a year to process it all. Or don’t, and if that’s your call, then don’t look back:-).
