Sat. Feb 1st marks 60 year anniversary of the start of the student sit-in movement, when 4 students from NCA&T University staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC. Students repeated the tactic in many cities, eventually forcing desegregation. pic.twitter.com/9rm3cIPz9V
As some of you know, many years ago I was a Rotary exchange student to Norway. Today is Norway’s Birthday (Constitution Day)! Norway has more layers to its history and diversity than some may realize. Let’s look at some of them!
And if you are watching Eurovision this weekend, check out Norway’s group, KEiiNO, featuring Sámi songwriter Fred Buljo who incorporates traditional indigenous joik singing style into their performance:
The Sami people are one of Europe's last Indigenous peoples, and have experienced (among other erasures) generations sent to boarding schools. It's a big deal that their traditional song is in Eurovision this year. https://t.co/9wbfk9H9bX
— Bae'd Runner [basically Lillian Kaushtupper] (@_L1vY_) May 17, 2019
May 17, 🇳🇴 Norway: Constitution Day. Norway's National Day celebrates the adoption of the constitution of 1814. To celebrate all things Norwegian, here are some interesting facts about Norway. https://t.co/l2fqGZ7vGn#syttendemaipic.twitter.com/uoOAU00nVa
In St. Louis this week, 53% of Methodist delegates voted to continue the “traditional model,” which opposes same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy, leaving some LGBTQ members and clergy excluded and heartbroken.
WaPo coverage at Twitter link below, and here: UMC Vote.
If you would like to make an appointment for pastoral counseling with our newest colleague, LGBT-supportive Methodist pastoral counselor, Rev. Dr. John G. Smith, please contact us by email or phone.
Reeling from contentious LGBT vote, some Methodists pledge to fight while others mull leaving https://t.co/yTCK5U6ouV
"The stigmas of society told me that black women didn’t complain – they pushed through. Black women didn’t get tired – they worked hard. And black people don’t struggle with #depression – we pray. Then carry on." #BlackHistoryMonth
There is a reason we must remember, and that is so that we may see and avoid allowing genocide to unfold again:
Today, 27 January 2019, marks the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Since 2005 this day is commemorated as International #HolocaustRemembranceDay. During the Holocaust, the Nazis murdered 17 million people – among them six million Jews. pic.twitter.com/Fw0tm0FxzY
New York State Bans Dangerous Conversion “Therapy,” Protects Gender Expression in legislation passed today:
Monumental day for equality as NY passes bills protecting trans people from discrimination AND protecting LGBTQ youth from practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” @HRC has been working with advocates & leaders for years to make this day a reality! https://t.co/acMgKrq4re
Pennsylvania is NOT among the states to have passed a statewide ban on conversion “therapy.” Only 18% of our population is estimated to be protected by local bans in our state. Check out the maps on this site for more information:
Violence is committed every day, but people in marginalized groups experience violence at considerably higher rates than majority group members, and more often simply because of who they are. For minority group members, this can lead to a pervasive (and frankly, realistic) sense of vulnerability that causes increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, especially when hate-based violence is a news event.
Jeffrey Marsh has some gentle suggestions for being supportive:
I love you very much. Please check in with your POC LGBTQ loved ones. Don’t expect or demand an answer but be around. Be available. 💛a lot of folks live with the threat of violence hanging over everything, and could use your heart today
Checking in and validating–without pressuring someone to talk or to help you to process–can be helpful, especially if you are willing to simply allow your friend or loved one to have the space to manage their feelings.
Publicly speaking out to or among other majority group members can also be helpful: for example, share a supportive post. But consider sharing a post that does NOT include graphic images or footage of violence. People who live with the threat of violence daily don’t need further exposure and may feel even more vulnerable.
It is common for PTSD symptoms to spike during times of social upheaval, especially for those who are in marginalized groups or who have abuse histories.
Nicole Sanchez, a lecturer at UC UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, has some useful insights about how we can support marginalized friends and coworkers during critical events. She’s talking about race, but much of the dynamics also apply to events affecting LGBTQ folks (and other marginalized groups).
In the past few years, I've been in the position to lead inside companies while major events, all with racism at their core, have unfolded in the news
:Kari Schibevaag 
