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July 27, 2017 | Deeds Digest No. 62
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Good morning, #ChangeMakers!
Wow. Seriously, just wow. What a week, right?
I must admit that, rather than watch the healthcare "vote-a-rama" in the U.S. Senate throughout the night last night, I slept. And this morning, like all of you, I woke to the news that even the purportedly "least worst" "skinny" version of the healthcare bill was voted down courtesy of Senators Susan Collins (R) of Maine, Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska, John McCain (R) of Arizona, and every single Democratic senator. Below, we talk about why we believe it's so important to elect women to office, using the examples of Senators Collins and Murkowski. The courage they have shown in supporting their constituents' continued healthcare coverage over the bullying of some colleagues and even the President, demonstrates the kind of compassionate courage that often comes when women are elected to serve.
And speaking of courage, this week's #ChangeMaker is our own Director of Strategy and Communications, Alicia Roth Weigel who bravely shared her experiences and perspectives as a member of the Intersex community in an attempt to favorably sway opinion on the "Bathroom Bill" currently under consideration in Texas. In doing so, Alicia showed that she was willing to share something incredibly intimate about herself and open herself to possible criticism and discrimination because she cared more about the possible impacts of the Bathroom Bill on the lives of our Trans sisters and brothers than she worried about any negative consequences for herself. Alicia defines what it means to "forget to be afraid," caring so deeply about people that she was willing to set fear aside to fight for them. I am so proud to call her a member of our team.
Finally, some of the real (s)heroes this week are YOU!
Many of you continued to make calls and showed up at legislative offices and in the U.S. and Texas Capitol to fight injustices underway there. Never doubt the impact those actions have. I know that, sometimes, it might feel like your one phone call or your one bit of testimony won't make a difference. But, as the saying goes, its actually the only thing that ever does. Thank you, #ChangeMakers. You ARE the difference and I am in awe of you.
Much love,
-wendy
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This week’s #ChangeMaker: Alicia Roth Weigel
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“As a proud member of the intersex community, 2% of the global population that does not fit in a binary 'male' or 'female' box that can be stamped on the door of a bathroom, I am deeply concerned about SB 3 and the 600,000 members of my LGBTQIA+ community that would be put into immediate danger were it to pass into law." -ARW
Her courage to embrace herself and stand up for those who would be drastically and negatively affected by the passage of these bills is what Deeds Not Words is all about. It is with pride, inspiration, and awe that we honor Alicia and support her personal journey that is ultimately changing the world. You’re incredible!
“We are all humans, not biological specimens. I’m honored to share what I can, what I think will further our common cause, and that will surely grow every day.” -ARW
Know a hero making a difference in their community? Send us a picture of someone you’d like to see as #ChangeMaker of the week and share their story. You might just see it in the next Deeds Digest.
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Trans rights are constantly under attack. Just this week, President Trump declared that he will ban Trans people from serving in the military. Unfortunately, POTUS forgets about all the brave Trans people who have risked their lives to serve this country, like Nicole Perry. This #Changemaker, a Marine Veteran and a staunch Trans activist, shares what allowing Trans people to serve openly meant to her, and weighs in on bans like this one. Nicole, we hear ya, we love ya and we need ya – Trans voices are more important than ever. Read Nicole's full interview here.
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As you probably know, Texas lawmakers are trying to legalize discrimination against Trans people in restrooms and other public places. The new "bathroom bill", SB3, passed the Texas Senate and is headed to the Texas House. Claiming concern for sexual assault survivors, proponents of the bill say that allowing trans people to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender is a Title IX issue. However, Texans are calling them out on that bogus claim. Vox flushes down the toilet 🚽 the myth that Trans people assault women in bathrooms. (In fact, it is they who are at risk.) 😔
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Surprise! It's a... baby. Diane Stopyra spills the truth about "gender-reveal" parties and why they should stop. What's wrong with them? Well, they're not even about gender! They're about a baby's anatomy. Yup, gender and sex are not the same, but our society often conflates the two. Through social conventions like gender-reveal parties, we reinforce strict ideas about gender and sex that ultimately harm Trans folks, Intersex people, and everyone.
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Why do we need more women in office? It's no secret that the ACA Repeal would be bad for women – after all, women legislators didn't even have a seat at the table when discussing this bill. But US Senators Susan Collins (R-MA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) were the first to take a stand for their constituents and announced they would not support the ACA Repeal. Despite sexist insults and threats to their physical safety, they kept their word and never wavered. Thank you, senators, for your bravery! 👏
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Our girl Melissa McCarthy is not only hilarious... she's also incredibly wise. She has a couple of things to say about body size, gender, and our impact on others. Watch her crack some jokes and share her positivity here. "To be confident or sure in yourself is less feminine. We're supposed to be fainting and shy. I'm like, 'I don't faint and I'm not shy'..." — MMc. SAME, Melissa, SAME.
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Badass Trans activist, Ashley Smith, trolled Governor Abbott of Texas at a re-election campaign event by taking a photo with him and posting to social media: "How will the Potty Police know I'm transgender if the Governor doesn't?" Abbott has publicly supported the bathroom bill that would put the two of them in the same bathroom, but he could't tell Ashley was a Trans woman. Iconic, and ironic! 😂
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Let's talk about the "I" in LGBTQIA+. Intersex folks are becoming more visible now, but their identity is nothing new — it's just been swept under the rug. Our girl Hanne Gaby Odiele knows this and decided to go public by advocating for Intersex people, "the last taboo in a world where trans and gay rights have made incredible strides" writes Vogue Magazine. Here's what you should know:
- Intersex is actually an umbrella term referring to more than 30 different conditions in which a person is born with a variation in sex anatomy.
- Now physicians acknowledge that some things don’t need to be fixed, unlike in the past when Intersex babies were rushed into surgery.
- Almost all of the surgeries are purely cosmetic, but they can leave people scarred, unable to have intercourse, and experiencing early menopause.
- Nearly 2% of babies are born intersex—about the same as naturally born redheads.
Hanne Gaby grew up being examined by doctors and medical students often without her consent, and had surgeries without really knowing what they were for. But when she was 17 years old and read a story about a girl like her, "it was the most amazing thing. You think you are alone—there is no one like you—and then you get to talk to other intersex people," she recalls. That's the power of visibility. Hanne Gaby, now a successful model who's worked for Chanel, Prada, Givenchy and more, is inspiring more Intersex people to come out and proudly claim who they are (like Alicia!) and we couldn't be more proud! SLAY, HONEY, SLAY!!!!!
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So you wanna do more for the Intersex community, but you don't know where to start?
interACT, an org that advocates for the Intersex community, has some ideas to get you started:
1) Use Inclusive Language
- Make sure you and your organization use inclusive language and acronyms like LGBTQIA+.
2) Educate Yourself and Others
- Use this brochure and FAQ, as well as other resources, to learn more and understand Intersex identities.
3) Raise Awareness
- If you're Intersex, share your story to help others. (Remember the power of visibility!)
- If you're an ally, you can share this video to elevate the conversation about Intersex identities.
4) Stay Woke, Stay Informed
5) Participate in Intersex Awareness Day
- Mark your calendars: October 26th is Intersex Awareness Day. Have your club, organization, or school promote and celebrate!
Don't forget, #YallmeansALL!
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