Some GREAT Queer Wins to Kick off your Weekend!
These updates just couldn't wait until Monday!
Howdy folks! I am here to bless your Friday afternoon with some MAJOR joy and good news before we go into the weekend!
First off: Earlier this year, a coalition of 21 states + DC sued the federal government over RFK’s declaration including misinformation about gender affirming care and a thinly veiled threat for children’s hospitals to cease gender affirming care or lose medicaid funding.
Earlier today, a federal judge agreed that this was overstepping, poor procedure, and concerningly undemocratic. To quote the judge: “The notion that ‘I will go forward and issue a declaration and see if we can get away with it’ is not a principle of governance that adheres to the overarching commitment to a democratic republic that requires the rule of law to be regarded and respected and honored as a sacred.”
While the full impact of the ruling is yet to be seen, hopefully this will provide encouragement for Children’s Hospitals to continue providing SAFE, LEGAL, BEST PRACTICE MEDICAL CARE!!
This is RFK’s second loss this week after a judge in Boston blocked may of his changes to vaccine policies. While these rulings are likely to be appealed, they are a phenomenal way to mitigate harm, as well as waste time, resources, and morale in these agencies!! (More on the lawsuits: AP)
Now, a moment of joy to continue sitting with this celebratory feeling. Behold: One minute of trans people laughing. I didn’t know how badly I needed this until I sat down and watched the whole thing. Then I watched it again. I am smiling with my entire body.
How about some wins for democracy? Check out this update from Run For Something, a recap of all the amazing young progressives they’re training to run for office around the country (they just topped 200 CANDIDATES for this year and it’s still March!)
How about some international wins? Today, a Polish court ruled that a gay couple married in Germany must have their marriage recognized in Poland! (More: LGBTQ+Nation)
How about some Rural wins? I keep mentally coming back to this amazing article by Jess Piper from earlier this week (I think everything she writes is amazing, actually). I love this piece on the quiet but visible ways red state and rural culture is shifting.
How about some student wins? Jeffco, Colorado is just the latest in a growing line of school districts telling the Department of Education to GET LOST!! When the DOE demanded they enforce discriminatory policies against their trans students, they refused.
Everywhere you look, there is resistance, there is beauty. It’s amazing.
As you go into this weekend, please do not stop looking for victories, for joy, for opportunities to come together and hold one another and to keep fighting.
That’s all for now! With all my love,
Ben
As aways, you lift my spirits and give me hope! Thank you for all that you do and how you write about your ups and downs with such grace and wisdom. I recently shared one of your incredible articles ("What our bad days teach us") with many, many people in Washington state, encouraging them to follow you. With much admiration, Gail
Such great news! Thank you, Ben!!!