I’m a little scared right now. Not so much for the Trump presidency as much as the Pence vice-presidency and the potential empowerment of bigots everywhere. I’m guessing that if you’re a trans kid going to school learning the news, you’re scared too. All I can say is that this is just a blip and you can’t let this stop you from being yourself. And trust me, I’ve been there, I’ve felt that hopelessness but here’s the thing- no one person can stop you but you. Not even the president of the United States. Here’s why:

There are two things happening in our country making it the best time there is to be trans- first, the Obama administration which, well that’s almost done with but second, society is starting to catch on. I go all over this country going to cities, towns, podunk bars in the middle of nowhere and people are starting to look past all that and see me for who I am- (although to be honest, I’m kind of an ass so it’s not the greatest strategy on my part). People get it, being trans is a real thing and not just a weird phase. We’re part of this society and nothing can change that. But better than that, more and more, they’re embracing us as fellow Americans, no more no less which is all most of us want in the first place.

(a baby elephant. If that doesn’t cheer you up, I’m out of ideas)

I spent time in one of the most conservative areas in the country, Nebraska. When I told my friends about the trip, they usually said something like ‘Uh, you know you’re trans right? And that’s Nebraska as in Nebraska?’ Or they’d suggest I never leave my hotel room without a Kevlar vest otherwise some corn farmer would skin me and use my bones to build a gun rack for his pickup. Wrong! These people were amazing! They were among the nicest, most accepting crowds I’ve ever performed in front of. First because I’m awesome but also because they’re just really nice people.

People are coming out and blazing trails for kids and making it a little easier. Twenty years ago, if you asked someone if they knew a transperson, they’d either say no, say ‘leave me alone’ or ‘what’s transgendered?’ You ask someone now and they either know someone or have a friend of a friend that knows someone. It’s great. Granted, we still have to deal with the chance that the transperson they know is an ass like me but as like as the person isn’t a jerk, we’re in good shape.

(Here, tigers or whatever)

Another story is the first time I came out to my landlords. I lived in an apartment building and would have to walk by this couple every single day whether they liked me or not and that scared the hell out of me. They were religious, conservative people and in my head, I made assumptions other than knowing what nice people they were. I told my landlady what was happening with my transition. She said ‘Oh, OK. By the way, did someone look at your sink?’ That’s it! It was no big deal to her! Her husband is just as cool too. In fact, not only do they accept me, they’ll probably tear a new one into anyone that gives me a hard time. So yes, they’re Trump supporters but what (ahem) trumps that, is that they’re amazing people and I’m proud to have them as friends.

And you might be thinking ‘Trump?!?!’ I couldn’t imagine a president that could be worse for trans people. Having lived trough two Bushes and a Reagan before I even knew what trans meant, Trump is practically RuPaul in comparison. Pence, well, he’s scary but even if he gets to be in charge, there are enough Senators to block any legislative change and, to quote my favorite president ‘Don’t boo, vote!’ and if you’re too young to vote, work for a campaign that works for you and see what you can do to get them elected. In the House, the Senate, state legislature, it’s all important and every little bit helps.

Now I hate when people tell me ‘It gets better’ or ‘Struggles build character’ so I won’t but I will say to relax and know that you’re stronger than you know. And don’t look at this election as a crippling defeat, look at it as an obstacle. Some idiot once told me that struggles build character.

Jaye McBride is an stand up comedian from upstate NY who’s opened for Aziz Ansari, Jim Norton and many others. She can be seen regularly performing all over the capital district plus check her out on Twitter@jayemcbride and Facebook www.facebook.com/JayeMcBrideComedy