Hi friends,
I think we cannot wait until Tuesday for a little good news. It pleases me to report that Biden’s student loan debt cancellation plan is not going to see a legal challenge, thanks to Amy Coney Barrett, who denied a request to halt a lower court ruling.
Ok, now down to work. This week, House Republicans introduced the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, a piece of legislation that bans discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The bill complains that some school districts have implemented sex ed programming for kids under 10, and that "[m]any newly implemented sexual education curriculums encourage discussion of sexuality, sexual orientation, transgenderism, and gender ideology as early as kindergarten."
The onset of puberty in American children is now typically understood to happen between ages 8 and 13, even though there are children as young as 6 and 7 beginning puberty. The reasons for the changes are complex and not fully understood.
But the point is that we know children reach sexual maturity earlier than they used to and that a lack of education about identity and sexuality is not protective in any way.
Contrary to what opponents claim, research carried out at national and international level has demonstrated the benefits of comprehensive sexuality education, including: delayed sexual initiation; reduced risk-taking; increased use of contraception; and improved attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health.
LGBTI youth frequently face bullying at school and are at higher risk of committing self-harm or suicide because of societal rejection of their sexual orientation. Like all other children, they should be provided with comprehensive sexuality education that meets their needs. Therefore, sexuality education must include information that is relevant to them, scientifically accurate and age appropriate. This means helping children to understand sexual orientation and gender identity and dispelling common myths and stereotypes about LGBTI persons.
The research supports the idea that comprehensive sexuality education can help save lives. This is intuitive, for anyone who works with actual young people.
Contact your congressional representative to make sure they know your position on this dangerous legislation. I made it easy.
My own mission is to educate and activate the public, so that we understand the issues that shape our lives and take action to improve public policy.
This year, there is a new US Transgender Survey, designed to collect
much-needed information to help the public understand the lives and experiences of transgender people in the United States and the disparities that many transgender people face.
The first such survey was conducted seven years ago, and this survey will provide insight into social changes.
Participate in the US Transgender Survey — if you are trans — and pass it on to trans folks you know. It is available in both English and Spanish.
I have been thinking a great deal about the nature of working for justice. To do this is to take an active part in the grand project of becoming more fully human. It is not easy to be human — with all the mistakes and shortcomings — and it is also pretty great.
One of the things that is great about being human is that we get to surround ourselves with people we care about and who care for us. Trevor Noah is a brilliant social commentator and I urge you to listen to what he has to say about men and intimacy.
Watch Trevor Noah Between the Scenes.
Friends were here this week and we were discussing the exciting successes of deep canvassing. The reason it works is that people want to connect. And this idea is fundamental to both the human project and democratic notion of ‘we the people’.
Anand Giridharadas, author of The Persuaders, describes the persuasive power of talking — and listening — to people’s thoughts on immigration:
Arizona is one of the fastest browning states in this country - going through enormous demographic change faster than the country on average. And instead of spending three minutes and giving someone a flyer, you try to spend 30 or 40 minutes at one door talking to people and listening to them, more importantly, about why they feel the way they do. And, this is so counterintuitive for our culture today - right? - because we live in a culture in which you feel like you're supposed to call people out for saying all kinds of terrible things.
And what these canvassers do — they stand there and they listen. And then, having built a certain rapport of trust and relationship, they try to say, hey, but do you know any immigrants? Do the immigrants you know square with the view you gave me at the beginning? Or have you ever felt scorned and shut out because of factors beyond your control? People have epiphanies at the door. This is something I didn't think was possible, but I saw it happen.
LUCHA is on the ground in Arizona, working for transformation and justice.
Support LUCHA — Living United for Change in Arizona.
And, this final item delighted me, because it isn’t often that humanity is evident in the statements of public utility companies.
"We do not exclude that with the onset of cold weather we will be asking for your help even more frequently.” Ukrenergo called on Ukrainians to stock up with water and make sure they have "warm socks and blankets and hugs for family and friends."
Hug people anyway, even if you’re not cold.
with love,
L