What’s going to happen now?

When he was elected we on the Left knew he was going to come after identity politics. But does that put the kibosh on changing discriminatory laws to non-discriminating laws?

For example. The town of Hampden has a decades old ordinance outlawing displays of homosexuality. Should they want to eliminate that ordinances will they be able to? I don’t have much confidence in this administration honoring the different levels of government. When this gets on their radar I imagine them swooping in representatives of their administration to applaud the ordinance and to encourage the town to keep it up. To make even more discriminatory ordinances and laws for those long discriminated against.

In Hampden’s defense the ordinance went into effect 28 years ago to minimize minors’ exposure to, say, magazines or movie posters. In particular those depicting “acts of sodomy, masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse.” So Hampden wanted rated R or beyond to change to PG or below. But, as Town Council Vice Chair Thomas Bailey said, “We should not be considering homosexuality ‘sexual conduct’ and something to be hidden away.”

My fear is the precedence this allows for today’s administration. They’re going to build on this example saying, “Hey look here’s this town in Maine who’s already banning public displays of homosexuality. Maybe we can build on it. No in person displays, no L Word, no Priscilla Queen of the Desert, no Brokeback Mountain.” The list goes on and on.

The changes are already happening in the federal government where coworkers and supervisors can be reported for encouraging an accepting office space. With so many queued up to spew hatred without repercussion it’s only a matter of time before it reaches our homes. If it hasn’t already.

I’m glad I live in Maine, that one ordinance that I know of notwithstanding. Maine, while not always the most progressive place, tends to be a private state. “You do you over there, I’ll do me over here. We’ll call it good.” I hope this is maintained. I hope all the men and women who voted for Donald Trump to be reelected don’t take such success as an excuse to act out against neighbors and family.

This is going to be a long four years. But I plan on fighting hate with every bone I can. I will do my best to be a safe person for anyone who needs one.