I play in an amateur band. I've been in this band for a long time, like 15 years, and while I'm the youngest member in this band, I've been in it almost the longest. We are about 17 - 20 people (big band jazz).

The self-appointed leader of the group is saying how everybody but a couple people got the vaccine, and they are waiting to hear from the remaining about their vaccine. One of those people is me.

Now, I love playing my instrument. I'm ready to play after a year off. And I'm friends with all these people in this group, but I told them that I'm morally and ethically against requiring proof of vaccine in order to play and I will not be giving that information, it's between me and my doctor. The leader's daughter is one of the crazy type nurses who feels everybody is going to die, so this leader feels the same way... it's always "My daughter says..." type shit.

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm clearly one of the better players in the group. I help lead the group musically, and I set the sound and lead the band (as lead trumpet). Sure, I can be replaced, but it's hard to find a good lead player who is reliable.

We must fight back, and it must be through our own personal sacrifice. My principles say this is wrong, and I told them. I let them know that either they trust my health decisions between me and my doctor, or they can find somebody else. I have yet to hear what they say. If they say I am not welcome, I will be emailing the entire group letting them know that I was kicked out of the band for not releasing the information of my vaccine, and I will make sure to let them know that "Never Again" has meaning for me, and how the same tactics used in history are being used now, and I cannot support actions like this.

Below is my letter to the band leader. And, for what it's worth... yes, I am 100% FOR the vaccine. I am 100% AGAINST requiring it. I think if a vaccine is available and somebody wants to get it, they should absolutely be able to. For me, I think the vaccine is shit though, and I will not be getting it. I have lost a significant amount of weight, so my health statement is entirely accurate. I am making it the decision of the band leader... I'm putting them in the tough spot, and if I'm not welcome, I am making it because of THEM, and because they stand principly with authoritarianism and fascism. The other musicians may look at me as 'crazy,' but they'll respect me for being principled.

This is my letter: I have a personal belief of not sharing health related information as I truly feel it violates privacy rights and civil rights of individuals. I feel that requiring people to have a certain health status to do something violates an individuals civil rights and opens the door to discrimination, and is both morally and ethically wrong. I'm not saying I'm against the vaccine... I'm against requiring it in order to participate in society. I'm very much for people getting vaccinated.

With that said and with my principles, I simply cannot share my vaccine card with anybody. This decision isn't because of my vaccine status, but because I find it morally wrong to ask people and to require it. I ask, instead, that you trust me and my health status are compatible with society. I ask that you trust any decision regarding my health are made between me and my doctor to keep me as healthy as possible as long as possible, and that we are doing the responsible thing. FWIW, it's pretty clear my doctor an I have made the correct and positive decisions regarding my health over the last several years. I'm clearly not irresponsible when it comes to health decisions.

So, there you have it, and I must lay it on the line. If you are requiring me to share my vaccine card to prove I'm vaccinated to play, then I'm afraid I just can't do that because it goes against my belief system. If my participation with the group is contingent on me proving I have gotten both shots and that 2 weeks have elapsed past the second shot, then I'm afraid I just cannot share that either. If I was not ready or prepared to be in a group setting, or if I thought it was too dangerous, then I would let you know that as well. I'm somebody who stands up for their principles and I stand up for what I think is right, even if it means personal sacrifice.

Don't get my message wrong or my intentions wrong. This is not a resignation from the group. I would hope that I am still invited to continue playing, and I plan on showing up for that first rehearsal provided I am invited. I would very much like to start up playing again and certainly want to continue playing in the group, especially since I am one of the longest members in the group (I can't say I'm oldest, but I've been in the group longer than just about everybody except for you and XXX... maybe one other). Don't confuse my desire for privacy as me trying to get out of the group. I'm not trying to quit.

So, let me know when rehearsals are starting up again, and I'll be there.