07/11/2025
I farm for three reasons: it’s hard work I can’t ask anyone to do for me, it’s important in the face of climate apocalypse, and I like to feed people. I talk a lot about the first two, but less about the third, because it feels so obvious.
It’s rewarding when I hear from people that I’ve helped them love squash, that they’re excited to have good, affordable potatoes for winter, or that the winter squash my mom and I save for the Randolph Food Shelf is a huge hit.
It’s frustrating, therefore, to be told that I’m the reason people don’t have access to SNAP benefits and are going hungry. I keep hearing republicas say the reason democrats won’t fund SNAP is because they want to protect Obamacare subsidies for “gender mutilation.”
This statement requires a number of fact checks. It’s standard practice to fully fund SNAP during a government shutdown, and at least two district judges have ordered the Trump administration to do it. Most people who get ACA subsidies aren’t trans, but they are self-employed, farmers/farmworkers, or work for small businesses and nonprofits that don’t provide insurance.
I’m both. I make $30-40k a year farming more than full time. I don’t quite qualify for medicaid, but I still can’t afford to spend $140 a month on health insurance, plus a many thousand dollar deductible. I rely on expanded ACA subsidies to afford my health insurance, and this year, I’m getting top surgery - a form of gender affirming care. I’m the trans bogeyman republicans are blaming for the lack of SNAP benefits.
It’s such a stupid lie, but we should still find it scary when a small, marginalized outgroup is being blamed for harming “mothers and children.”
If me being a trans farmer who relies on ACA subsidies is a threat to mothers and children, what’s the threat? That they might meet someone who’s different? That they might see that bodies come in all shapes and sizes? That they might learn that sometimes it’s worthwhile to do a job you think is important, even if it’s hard and doesn’t pay well?
To all the lawmakers trying to throw trans people under the bus right now - you’re blaming the wrong 1%. To anyone who’s hungry - reach out if you need potatoes.
