July 2, 2025 – Jefferson County Daily Union
Hi. I’m one of your neighbors, the progressive kind.
One you probably haven’t met because I don’t know many people here yet.
But the ones I do know and love? They’re the kind of people I used to dream about having in my life. Kind. Decent. Accepting. The kind who show up, speak up, and try their best to make the world a little softer for someone else.
The ones I’ve met in passing—or online—have shown me a different side of this town. A side that comes out loud and angry any time someone speaks up with a different perspective. A side that confuses compassion for weakness and disagreement for a threat.
I’ve been watching the local conversation around pledges, patriotism, and who really “belongs” get louder and nastier. No, there isn’t some massive progressive uprising in Fort. But every time someone like me offers a thought, the angry swarm of condescending white men who show up to attack is exhausting. It’s gross. And it’s real.
So maybe this will get some attention. Maybe it’s time we talk louder about the little men behind their keyboards cheering for book bans, trashing Juneteenth, and clinging to the Pledge like a shield for white male supremacy. Let’s be honest: it’s not the country they love. It’s the comfort of a system where they’ve never had to share space.
People like us believe everyone deserves health care, including mental health, reproductive services, and gender-affirming support. No exceptions. We believe in dignity as a human right, not something you earn.
We don’t want to take your guns. We’d just love to stop worrying about where they’ll show up next. Pass a test. Carry insurance. Store them responsibly. And maybe stop waving them around like a threat. You don’t like things “shoved in your face,” right?
Love doesn’t kill. But hate does. LGBTQ+ youth are at high risk of suicide—not because of who they are, but because of what they’re forced to hear about themselves. Visibility isn’t a threat. It’s survival.
Yes, my kids are part of the generation that terrifies people the most. I support them fully as they explore who they are. Queer and trans people have always existed. If your faith leads you to fear and exclusion, I promise: Jesus would be deeply disappointed.
People like us believe in equity, not sameness. We want inclusive libraries, accurate history, safe schools, and diverse leadership. We believe in listening more than shouting.
We want affordable housing, thriving small businesses, and well-funded public services. We want to raise kids who think critically, recognize privilege, and speak up kindly—even when it’s hard.
We aren’t hiding. We’re already here.
And we want our families to feel safe too.
TIFFANY BLOSHENKO,
Fort Atkinson
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