It's traumatizing for sure! Seeing our society move back toward where we were in the 1970s and '80s causes me almost physical pain sometimes.

I think maybe that's what some people mean by triggering. Thinking back to the intense shame and guilt that was imposed on me by almost all of society ... Remembering the physical sensations of that ... Remembering some of the nightmares. Reliving the personal rejection all over again.

That's what reading the news today is like.

It's like plunging myself back into a world that cost me my closest friends and much of my family.

I don't who would be more deeply affected, a young queer person who has grown Up to expect that things are at least somewhat okay? Or older people like us already traumatized by personal history?

I'm sure the intensity of reaction varies person to person, circumstance to circumstance, and there is no generally correct answer.

I just know that my experiences with the intense persecution of the 70s and 80s motivate me to fight like hell for decency and humanity!

Thanks so much for your story!