The text from a trusted friend in the transgender community, someone Ive known since before either of us came out, was direct and succinct: She and her family are fleeing the United States.

She said the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade signaled the time to run had come, especially given all the cards already stacked against us: laws and policies outlawing gender-affirming care and banning trans student athletes from sports, lawmakers once again targeting our use of public bathrooms , and a new poll showing that most Americans think we are not really the gender we say we are.

Thats not even all of it. The conservative shift on the Supreme Court, and the growing expectation that congressional Democrats will lose their narrow grip on power in this falls midterm elections, were also factors. As my friend saw it, the best option was to move her family to Canada now, before it gets worse.

And it is getting worse. But can we describe all this animus as violence?

Hell yes, we can.