People Are Sharing The Ways They’ve Noticed Their Friends And Family Become More Conservative

12.

And finally, “My brother, who is five years younger than I am, never talked about anything political our entire lives. I mean nothing, and the guy talks a lot. He, my dad, and I went to lunch a month after the last election, and he suddenly could not talk about anything other than political issues. The restaurant’s restroom had a sign on the door with the typical male and female silhouettes, and beneath it they had written, ‘We do not care about your gender identity, just wash your hands.’ My brother said, ‘Jesus, this is one of those places,’ followed by other anti-trans sentiments. My dad and I were horrified. We tried to understand where this hatefulness was coming from, but my brother could not stop spewing conservative talking points long enough for us to have any rational, meaningful conversation.”

“He made anti-trans comments about my son’s nonbinary partner and made racist remarks like he was auditioning for Fox News. My dad made it halfway through his salad before getting up and leaving without a word. I left a minute later. My dad’s theory was that my brother’s behavior was the result of being in a bro bubble at his new construction job, but that much anger takes more than two months to incubate. For weeks after that lunch, he sent me vile anti-trans, anti-women, and anti-vax videos every single day. I finally messaged him back and let him know that our relationship was unsalvageable and blocked him. I have no idea who that person is, and it both terrifies me and breaks my heart.” 

—Anonymous, 38, Female, Richmond, VA