I think we can forgive, but to forgive we must also assert our values and not let them get tossed aside. I think they were wrong to drop gender identity and nonconformity protections, and that the response of withdrawing support by other organizations was the right move. They weakened the entire argument by capitulating, and that does not deserve support simply because of a shared end goal.

It’s important to understand that US legislation on such issues frequently occurs only once. There often isn’t a second bill to fill in the gaps left by the first one, as lawmakers will simply claim that the issue was addressed and there’s no need for new protections. Over time, the protections can be increasingly ignored and disrespected by the courts, until even a constitutional amendment isn’t able to accomplish what it originally intended. There is no standing still, as a lack of sustained progress means regression. Slow and steady progress was always a lie concocted by cowardly moderates to protect their own power.