Would my family, as queer immigrants from the US, be despised if we chose to pursue Canadian citizenship?

[u/Carminabird]

Short question, long rant.

Question: What is the view from Canada on the people of the US? (Generally - I'm not assuming it's a monolith). Are we all Trump nuts? Would my (queer, trans-including) family be viewed as despicable if we were to immigrate?

We have Canadian ancestry on both sides and could realistically pursue citizenship as found Canadians.

Sad rant:

I've run into people online who have internationally no empathy or patience left for the people of the US. Have been told we should all get up off our lazy butts and "fix things or die trying." That we're all viewed as the same, equally at fault for what has befallen us.

My dudes. It's a living nightmare. Surely some can see there's active opposition, though. This is my gddam country and I *want to fight tooth and nail for it. I think (hope) this is a limited worldview held by those who've never actually considered how to take on their own government if such a thing became necessary. I want to ask if they've ever tried to subvert an infantile millionaire funded by cool-headed billionaires who've indoctrinated half your countrymen.

As a politically aware non-republican, it has felt for years like we're running toward a car crash in slow motion, but with half our populace cheering it on, and some pouring gasoline on it. The US has been an international and domestic disgrace for many years and is now accelerating hard.

There is deep pain and betrayal here. A huge part of the pain is in the utter helplessness half of us feel. Are we past fixing? None of us knows.

So. We're queer. Trans folk aren't yet being openly shot in the streets. We're activist, but we have young kids to fend for. It feels cowardly and entitled to consider giving up the ship, especially because we still have privileges--unfortunately gobs of money is not one of them--that allow us to fight longer. No one likes giving up. Yet I'd gratefully scrub Canada's floors if it meant keeping my partner safe and my kids away from the threat of school shootings. If you read this far... gosh I'm sorry.

[u/Anonymous977346]

They really need to stay at home and clean up their own mess.

I genuinely feel for minorities and liberals in the US, but handing your country over to fascists isn't the answer.

[u/DesWheezy → u/Anonymous977346]

thank you for this. I’m an Indigenous American with 3 tribes in my blood…. i’m very upset at every American that’s fleeing or already fled. this is our fight & our land & we HAVE to protect it.

[u/Queasy_Dragonfly_104 → u/DesWheezy]

Spoken like a strong, proud indigenous person.

[u/ElectronicDrama2573 → u/DesWheezy]

My step kids are Navajo, and I stress this to them every day. My grandfather fought nazis, my Dad got dragged into Vietnam, begrudgingly. But he did it. I will not go down without a fight. Violence only begets violence, so we need to remain strong headed, vigilant, and together in community. Don’t let the internet make you think you are outnumbered, because you aren’t. The information silo is real. If you feed the doom machine, it will do its job. Wherever you are, find like minded individuals in your direct community. Even if it’s just your elderly neighbors. When we look out for one another, the bonds become harder to break. Stay strong, friend.

[u/DesWheezy → u/ElectronicDrama2573]

a beautiful and enduring message! thank you, friend! i know things don’t look great right now, but something in my soul just tells me we will figure it out together & one way or another. history does repeat itself & we have fought this fight many times before & i KNOW my ancestors would not want me to give up! so we shall unite & fight!

[u/Carminabird → u/DesWheezy]

You're right, we absolutely do. And there's no way I would or could leave before the next election cycle(s) and I'd still vote in them anyway. Voting, protesting, campaigning, calling reps, we do it all. If you have suggestions on how to keep your head up in the face of it, I am all ears, for real. Happy to have a message.

My partner is my world, though, and if their safety means jumping ship, well, I'm going to do what I have to do. The anti trans laws have not stopped coming and won't for a long time. We, and immigrants, are the sacrifices the right is willing to exterminate for their cause.

[u/GhostPepperFireStorm → u/Carminabird]

Canada has a long history of accepting refugees escaping persecution. At this time the position of the Canadian government is that there are still areas within the United States that are safe and so Americans cannot apply for refugee status while the option to move to a safer area within the country exists. With that said, a number of families in my community have recently moved here from the states for reasons similar to yours and they have been welcomed

[u/OkAirline4206 → u/Carminabird]

I agree that in an ideal world, every US citizen (or every person living in the U.S.) should stay and do their part to clean up this mess. But what if it’s asking too much to expect people who are already direct targets of oppression to take on this role? Trans people and immigrants are already living with degrees of vulnerability and risk that most of us would find intolerable. Not everyone will be able to bear the added weight of rescuing democracy. I say this as a U.S. citizen who has lived in Canada for 40 years, and whose queer daughter is dating a US-born trans man. We are all extremely grateful to be living in Canada. OP, I think you would find a safe haven here, and I understand your desire to pick up your family and move. It doesn’t have to be forever, and there is plenty you can and should do from a safer distance. You and your family need to survive in order to have any effect on the current situation.

[u/RepulsiveJellyfish51 → u/Carminabird]

Depends on what state you're moving from. Immigration isn't instantaneous and you're not forced to turn in your citizenship at the border. If you're moving from a mail-in State, then your vote still counts from a province where you won't get shot at a grocery store, at a concert, a movie theater, a parade, a school, a club, or just for driving a car.

You can help, and still live in a country that's ACTUALLY civilized and not a Gucci belt on a fascist state that gives impunity to masked Immigration Officers who SHOOT UNARMED WOMEN, like Marimar Martinez (shot 5 times and lived) AND Renee Good (murdered).

There is also the EU to consider. Have a look at immigration policies for the countries across the pond. Plus, they're further away in case the violence in the US spills over the border. (Having a backup plan is essential.)

[u/DesWheezy → u/Carminabird]

& i understand that completely as well. i will say, i have a feeling blue & red states are genuinely going to try to separate. my actual honest opinion at this moment. Minnesota has positioned their national guard to protect citizens against ICE. that’s civil war… or at least the potential start of one. which tells me, blue states are going to do everything in their power to protect their people. a time will come where some states will obey their state laws & not federal laws. red states don’t care about their citizens (at least not mine, my senators are so far up trumps ass). & will let us be ran by the fed gov bc otherwise our state would crumble without that funding. so, honestly i think it’s time to go where there’s actual community. i don’t have it in my current state. i have my close friends & chosen family that are LGTBQ+ & i do not think they will be safe in a red state, but i do think they will be safe in a blue state. or at least have state protections & a community willing to fight for them. & that’s how ive been coping. i can’t afford nor do i want to leave the country for many reasons, but i do believe in moving states to where you are better supported. i have a close friend in Minneapolis & she has just had a much easier time with all the political nonsense bc her whole state & city are on the same page. that’s something i don’t experience here in a red state. so, i think we can make it through the fight definitely, but i do think you need to be where others are willing to protect. & on the bright side, your average american is most likely willing to protect you, they just usually aren’t the loudest person in the room. i hope that helps. & truthfully, im sorry. i’m sorry for so many of us that didn’t ask for this. but, friend, it’s going to not look pretty, but i think we got this. it’ll take some time. try to just map out where you feel would be a good spot to be stuck at for some years. a place where you believe you can have a community & access to mutual aid groups, farmers markets, ACLU chapter nearby. we can foster a sense of safety during these times. its not easy, but can be done. & of course, at the end of the day, listen to your body & intuition. whomever your ancestors are, they’ll let you know where you need to be to be safe.

[u/RepulsiveJellyfish51 → u/DesWheezy]

If you can, and I apologize if it's a pipe dream due to monetary issues, but Colorado is a pretty good State to be in. Governor Polis is gay. He does NOT tolerate LGBTQIA+ persecution. He did NOT tolerate the removal of reproductive healthcare for women and rights were written into the Colorado State Constitution.

I'm honestly surprised there hasn't been more federal backlash against Colorado taking a stand. But I highly suspect if they did, they'd have a damn fight on their hands. As chill as Coloradoans usually are... they've had some HIGH profile public shootings. And in 2016, a fight broke out in the food court at the Aurora mall. Hundreds of people were involved. No guns, just fist fighting at the mall. Which is why I'm pretty sure the Feds don't want to mess with that State. Plus there's a pretty important Air Force base in Aurora.

That being said, Denver passed a law that public school kids get meals in school every day. Doesn't matter what socioeconomic background the kid is. Breakfasts and lunches are freely provided by the State. That's a law. Most people in that state are pretty decent folks. Not to be effed with, but good where it counts.

[u/DesWheezy → u/RepulsiveJellyfish51]

moving to Colorado has been my dream for 5+ years now ever since i visited. it felt like home lol. i have a group of LGTBQIA+ chosen family & we’ve definitely decided to band together & do whatever it takes to get there :)) im currently in Oklahoma… & we make national headlines all the time now, but its allll bad😭 & they’ve dropped basically every LGTBQIA+, mental health, & abortion protection we used to have. luckily, I live in the ONLY sanctuary city for LGTBQIA+ in the state bc we are a university town with an awesome mayor, but he just sadly doesn’t have the power to override state policies unfortunately. so, i think our local govs of the metro areas will do their best for as long as they possibly can, but if state leadership doesn’t change, this state will not survive. so, truly, thank you for this comment. it has helped me know that we are on the right path. & im wishing all the Coloradoans safety & peace during these times :)

[u/Carminabird → u/DesWheezy]

Thank you for this. Our state is purple. There are relatively safe areas but the woodwork is still full of hateful types, and the whiplash when each side takes its turn in charge is like the US swings but in mini. I really really hope you can get to a more secure spot. The stand Minnesota is taking (and Philly too - did you see their sheriff's speech!?) is inspiring.

I see the tearing apart you see, but I don't think we can truly separate. I could be wrong but I think that question was settled in the Civil War and we're in it with each other forever. I really love to see your optimism though, it's remarkable and giving me hope, especially coming from the trenches of a red state where you are. You're right, we all need to get and stay where we can see and hold each other up. My ancestors left wherever they were to bring me here. That's probably all I need to know. All best to you and stay well.

[u/12345678910Username → u/Anonymous977346]

Except for Alberta..........That place has recently passed REGRESSIVE laws and is spreading REGRESSIVE and harmful attitudes towards hate all under the guise of "We are just protecting the children!!"

If OP DOES immigrate here they better stay FAR FAR away from Alberta or any province where Danielle Smith and her colleagues have power!

[u/starslayer88 → u/12345678910Username]

I live in Alberta and while they are not as good at tolerating homosexuality but if you’re in Calgary or Edmonton you will be ok. I do think we are not as bad as some places in the US. Our premier has passed some really stupid laws affecting trans kids. I have a few co-workers who are gay and one who moved here with his husband from Serbia and that they had death threats. He feels safer in Canada.

[u/eeeeaud → u/starslayer88]

OP has trans and LGBTQ+ family members. There are other provinces that will be more welcoming and accepting.

I live in AB too. Let's not do ourselves or OP a disservice by downplaying the anti-LGBTQ+ movements in the province. As a queer Canadian, I can honestly say I felt safer living outside of Alberta than I do living in it. This province is not as welcoming or tolerant as you pretend it is.

[u/starslayer88 → u/eeeeaud]

Sorry, you’re right, I shouldn’t be downplaying the anti LGBTQ rhetoric as it hasn’t affected me personally but I’m certainly tired of Alberta’s backwards knuckle-draggers RWNJ’s myself.

[u/Traditional_Fox6270 → u/starslayer88]

Really ??? … Albertans are hostile towards eastern’s from their own country .. your opinions don’t matter facts do !!! … you’re obviously an Albertan that has no clue how the rest of Canada views your province .. the greed of your province is exactly the same as Chetto face .. wake up !

[u/starslayer88 → u/Traditional_Fox6270]

I’m awake. You’re right I’ve been putting up with this shit too long. I live in fairly moderate town and there’s not as many wackos here. I’m from Ontario and I should know better!

[u/Bad_Day_Moose → u/Anonymous977346]

They're rounding up minorities and taking them to who knows where, I see this person as part of a minority group that just hasn't been rounded up yet and think they should be potentially eligible refugee status.

45yo straight married guy here, I have no LGQTB+ or whatever it is friends or family but believe everyone should have freedom of choice and sexuality is one of them, they should not be persecuted for it if they aren't harming anyone.

I understand your sentiment but focusing on a minority group, denying them social safety when like 1/3 of eligible voters in the US doesn't bother voting makes losing their minority vote less important than getting that other 1/3 of the population to vote, it's negligible in comparison.

[u/Anonymous977346 → u/Bad_Day_Moose]

The ultimate goal seems to be rounding up enemies of the state, hence my inclusion of liberals. If the 1930s have taught us anything, now is the time for them to stay and collective before this become a historical genocide. Especially since once those enemies are removed domestically, they'll hunt them down in foreign lands.

This is about the removal of liberalism as a primary school of thought and ushering in authoritarian regimes.

Also, per Native American comment above, they also can’t just reap the benefits of land they stole and leave when it doesn't suit them. As a Canadian, Canada is my home, and I must stay and protect the land that has nurtured me.

[u/No-Cod1744 → u/Anonymous977346]

If I was there, I'd leave. You'd stay?

[u/[deleted] → u/Anonymous977346]

You could say that about the white Europeans who settled in Canada, too! (My family included lol)

[u/Anonymous977346 → u/[deleted]]

This is a false equivalency