The air in Texas, particularly its vast, sun-drenched plains, often feels thick with unspoken stories and the deep resonance of tradition. It’s a landscape shaped by powerful forces, a strong independent streak, and for many, an unwavering allegiance to a particular political identity. I was born and raised in this very atmosphere, growing up surrounded by Republicans, breathing in the pervasive cultural oxygen of conservative tradition.
Today, however, despite my deep Texas roots and the foundational experiences those early years provided, my internal compass points unequivocally to a profound, unshakeable truth: I no longer have any room for MAGA in my life. This isn’t a casual disagreement; it’s a fundamental, irreconcilable break, a recognition that the political movement, in its current form, fundamentally contradicts the very values of humanity, empathy, and integrity that have always defined my core being. My path, though forged in this environment, has consistently followed a different, often solitary, current.
The Landscape of Dissent: My Unchanging Liberal Compass in a Conservative Sea
My early life in West Texas, and later in the smaller town of Rising Star, meant that my social and political environment was predominantly Republican. My family, my community, my church—these were all deeply intertwined with conservative ideals. I absorbed these principles by osmosis, but even from a young age, a quiet dissonance hummed beneath the surface. I never truly embraced those Republican ideals; my internal compass, even then, was always, instinctively, liberal.
- An Innate Sense of Justice: Even as a child, I possessed an innate sense of fairness and a deep discomfort with injustice. This manifested in questioning the rules, challenging rigid hierarchies, and feeling profound empathy for those who were marginalized or treated unfairly. These were early indicators of a liberal inclination, an inherent belief in equality and compassion.
- The Collision with Identity: The first, most profound rupture between my innate compass and my conservative surroundings came with the burgeoning awareness of my gay identity. My brutal journey of being outed, subjected to “pray the gay away” attempts, and ultimately kicked out of my home by a religiously conservative family, was a searing confirmation of the chasm between my reality and their dogma. When religious freedom is weaponized to justify discrimination, when “traditional values” are used to condemn your very existence, and when those who claim to love you abandon you for who you are—the intellectual appeal of any political ideology promoting such actions simply crumbles. It becomes a personal betrayal, a violation of fundamental human dignity.
- Empathy Forged in Suffering: My career as an RN, particularly in underserved communities, exposed me daily to the stark realities of systemic inequality, pervasive poverty, and devastating healthcare disparities. This experience intensified my already strong sense of empathy, confirming that individual suffering is often a symptom of larger, systemic failures. It further solidified my liberal convictions, as I witnessed the human cost of policies that lacked compassion or promoted inequity. I simply could not reconcile the suffering I saw with the political rhetoric that often dismissed it.
- Unwavering Values: My core values—justice, equality, human dignity, collective well-being, empathy, and truth—have remained steadfast, an unyielding current guiding my decisions. These values have always been, and remain, fundamentally liberal, even when surrounded by a conservative atmosphere.
This was the context in which I grew up, a familiar political climate that, while comfortable for many, was a constant source of friction for my true self.
The Fault Line Expands: The Irreconcilable Divide with MAGA
The political landscape shifted dramatically with the rise of the MAGA movement, and for me, this represented not just a divergence, but an expansion of the pre-existing fault line. What was once a subtle dissonance with traditional conservatism transformed into an irreconcilable chasm with the aggressive, often hateful, tenets of MAGA.
- The Cult of Personality Over Principles: The movement, from my perspective, consistently prioritizes unwavering loyalty to a single figure over adherence to democratic principles, constitutional norms, or fundamental ethics. This centralizes power in a way that is profoundly antithetical to the very spirit of a democratic republic and the values I hold dear.
- The Weaponization of Division and Hate: MAGA’s rhetoric consistently thrives on division—actively pitting Americans against each other based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation. It demonizes opponents, normalizes xenophobia, and often provides a platform for white nationalism and other forms of extremism. As someone who has personally experienced prejudice and suffered its consequences, I cannot, and will not, tolerate any political movement that actively promotes hatred against any marginalized group.
- Disregard for Truth and Institutions: The movement frequently exhibits a casual disregard for objective truth, established facts, scientific consensus, and democratic institutions (the electoral process, the judiciary, the press). This erosion of shared reality and trust in foundational pillars of democracy is profoundly dangerous. It creates an atmosphere where manipulation thrives and accountability is optional.
- Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Woman Agenda: The policies championed by the MAGA movement directly and unequivocally threaten the hard-won rights of the LGBTQ+ community (e.g., anti-trans legislation, attempts to roll back marriage equality) and women (e.g., severe restrictions on reproductive freedom). For me, a gay man, these aren’t abstract debates; they are direct attacks on my dignity, my safety, and my very existence. My own experiences with conversion therapy and familial rejection are constant reminders of the real-world impact of such hateful agendas.
My Texas roots instilled in me a certain unyielding independence. But my life’s journey, particularly its most challenging storms, taught me that true independence means thinking for yourself and adhering to your moral compass, even when it means standing against the prevailing tide. It taught me that true loyalty means standing for justice and human dignity, especially for those most vulnerable, regardless of where they fall on a political spectrum.
So, while I am undeniably from Texas, and I grew up surrounded by Republicans, the current iteration of the MAGA movement, with its embrace of intolerance, its disregard for truth, and its active efforts to dismantle fundamental rights, leaves no room in my life. My values, forged in resilience and empathy, simply cannot align with it. I choose a path of compassion, integrity, and progress, striving to build a more inclusive and just society, even when the political atmosphere feels incredibly heavy and the currents pull in opposing directions.