The Hope Post

Things are bleak and despair is high. I hope folks are doing what they can to fight the fights they think are worth fighting and finding ways to care for themselves and others. I have compiled below videos, websites, fact sheets that I have found helpful in 1) learning more about what is going on from experts and folks on the ground and 2) getting some comfort from the work that is being done and 3) figuring how where to put my efforts and how. 

• This video from GLAD Law about what an executive order and is not. Following them on Instagram may be helpful as they are in the midst of many legal battles. 
• GLAD Law (not be confused with GLAAD which is also doing great work--see below) is fighting the trans military ban and GLAD lawyer Jennifer Levi reported that during the hearing in which GLAD asked for emergency relief from the military ban the judge asked pointed questions of the government including the rationality of a policy that says simply being transgender--while meeting all the other standards for military service--is a violation of the values pf honors, truthfulness, discipline, selflessness, and humility
• The work being done by the National Women's Law Center. This fact sheet about current rights for students under Title IX and a side-by-side comparison of the 2020 rules and the now overruled 2024 rules. 
• I have been following Chase Strangio on Instagram and he is posting a lot of information and encouraging folks to keep fighting--including at a rally for trans youth. 
• Seeing and practicing ways to re-frame the discourse. 
• This piece from Strangio is about the "trans debate."
• I have also been reading Judith Butler's book Who's Afraid of Gender? about the "radical gender ideology" rhetoric and feel better prepared for so many debates.
• Being very overt about what DEI is. Maybe start saying *all the words* aloud* every time. Pointing out that the button for the automatic door opening is DEI; so are subtitles; extra time on exams; service dogs in public spaces; ASL interpreters; financial aid and need-based grants and scholarships...

One of the first really good books I ever read about sports was by Madeline Blais about a girls' basketball team in Amherst, Massachusetts called In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle. he phrase hope is a muscle has been used by others subsequently which makes sense because we all need to figure out how to strengthen that muscle--especially now.