Countering Bi Erasure, it’s the 6th annual Bi Health Awareness Month:
(Lancaster rainbow stickers can be purchased from Madcap & Co.)
Methodist Church Votes to Maintain Opposition to LGBTQ
In St. Louis this week, 53% of Methodist delegates voted to continue the “traditional model,” which opposesĀ 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.
Honoring Black History Month
Check out upcoming events on the Lancaster Black History Month events calendar!
Support Black Women’s mental health:
And watch some better entertainment!
New York Passes Landmark LGBTQ Equality Legislation
New York State Bans Dangerous Conversion “Therapy,” Protects Gender Expression in legislation passed today:
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:
It’s Very Good; It’s Not Okay
It’s very good to support women and be anti-sexist; it’s not okay to use racism in critiquing sexism.
It’s very good to support BIPOC and be anti-racist: it’s not okay to use anti-gay prejudice in critiquing racism.
It’s very good to support LGBTQ folks and be anti-heterosexism/transphobia: it’s not okay to use classism in critiquing heterosexism/transphobia.
It’s very good to support financially marginalized people and be anti-poverty: it’s not okay to use ableism in critiquing classism.
It’s very good to support the disability community and be anti-ableist; it’s not okay to use ageism in critiquing ableism.
It’s very good to support the agency of children and elders and be anti-ageism; it’s not okay to use fatphobia in critiquing ageism.
It’s very good to support body positivity and be anti-fatmisia; it’s not okay to use sexism in critiquing fatphobia.
You can mix these up all you want and they still apply!
If we are pointing out someone’s problematic behavior or words, we must remember not to use problematic words of our own to characterize them.
If we do, we’re not just criticizing that person, we are playing into stereotypes and making life harder for vulnerable others who are not that person. We are engaging in bigotry ourselves!
For useful, practical ways to call out problematic behaviors and words, check out this helpful guide from Southern Poverty Law Center.
Supporting Vulnerable Friends and Acquaintances During Violent News Cycles
Above, Header Photo: Ryan Loew/PublicSource
Above Photo: Cox Media/WFTV9
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:
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).
(Threadreader compiled version here.)
Let people know they are loved and valued and that you want them to be safe, happy, and thriving! ā¤
Trans Day of Remembrance
Remember, in an oppressive system, just surviving and daring to take care of yourself is an act of rebellion.
We need you alive and doing okay. Be your best rebel self!
āHow can we live our trans lives in a world full of violence without turning that violence on ourselves?ā
From Them.us:
Amateur: Finding Joy and Power in Being a Trans Person
Trans Rights at Risk
To our transgender friends, family, and neighbors: you are valid and worthy of love and support. We are with you and will work to help protect your civil rights and your basic right to exist!
To cis allies: today would be a good day to make that donation. Consider one or more of these organizations:
@TransLifeline | https://www.translifeline.orgĀ
@TransLawCenter | https://transgenderlawcenter.orgĀ
Dr. Liz on Intersectionality and Mental Health with SCORE Mentor Jerry
Social marginalization creates additional layers of stress that can create or worsen mental health issues:
Happy 30th Annual Coming Out Day!
A client today anonymously offers a quote that I’ve been hearing from others as well:
“I offer gratitude to those who’ve come out in the past, encouragement for those who will be coming out in the future, and support to those who don’t feel safe to come out yet. We see you.”
For a comprehensive array of links and resources, visit Human Rights Campaign’s site!
Header graphic by @rewstermania:
