Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/26

Add more chairs.

Hi, all, and happy Monday!

Hope you managed to get some rest this weekend. It’s hard to even conceive of “rest” in such an atmosphere, isn’t it? Yet we must, lest the chaos drive us mad. So hopefully you were able to get away from your phones, put down the remote, and get out into nature (or something approximating it) for a while.

Mike, Mj and I didn’t do anything outdoorsy, alas, but we did attend a vigil for Nex Benedict in West Hollywood. The good news is it was absolutely packed, and the church that hosted it did a lovely job of making the space feel celebratory and safe.

The bad news is that the trans community is terrified, exhausted, and furious. They feel alone, under siege, and endangered. And who can blame them?

We may not be able to do anything about how unsafe our trans friends feel right now, but it’s our job to make sure that at the very least they don’t feel alone. So I’m going to ask you to make the cause of trans people your own. Subscribe to Erin Reed’s Substack if you haven’t. Support organizations supporting trans and nonbinary people (suggestions below). Check on your trans and nonbinary friends—they are struggling. Check on any parents your know who have trans kids, too. They have been rocked by what happened this week—I am telling you as a member of that club.

Make sure these folks know you have their backs, please. This is part of our activism. Remember: Republicans exclude. They remove chairs from the circle. We do the opposite. We add chairs. We call in. We include.

That’s what makes us amazing. It’s what makes us thrive.

And it’s why we’ll ultimately win.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I’m calling because I’m appalled and disgusted by the recent ruling in Alabama that frozen embryos are people. This ruling has already caused three fertility clinics to pause IVF treatments in the state; more will likely follow. Fetal personhood bills have been introduced in at least 14 state legislatures this year. Where will it end?

I am glad to see that Senator Duckworth has introduced a bill, S. 3612, the Access to Family Building Act, to protect Americans’ right to access IVF without restrictions. Sadly, though, it only has three co-sponsors in the Senate—all Democrats. I’m assuming the Senator will sign on right away?

[If Republican add:] If the Senator won’t co-sponsor this bill I’d like an answer in writing explaining why. Republicans are making a lot of noise about supporting IVF right now. But if they won’t vote accordingly they’re lying, and it’s important that Americans know it. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I’m calling because I’m appalled and disgusted by the recent ruling in Alabama that frozen embryos are people. This ruling has already caused three fertility clinics to pause IVF treatments in the state; more will likely follow. Fetal personhood bills have been introduced in at least 14 state legislatures this year. Where will it end?

Having said all of this I am glad to see that Rep Susan Wild has introduced a bill, HR 7056, the Access to Family Building Act, to protect Americans’ right to access IVF without restrictions. Sadly, though, it only has 14 co-sponsors in the House—almost all Democrats. I’m assuming the Congressmember will sign on right away?

[If Republican add:] If the Congressmember won’t co-sponsor this bill I’d like an answer in writing explaining why. Republicans are making a lot of noise about supporting IVF right now. But if they won’t vote accordingly they’re lying, and it’s important that Americans know it. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

The Advocate has a great piece out: How you can support queer and trans kids in Oklahoma after Nex Benedict’s death. Please share it widely!

A couple of things they mention:

1. The Rainbow Youth Project offers free mental health support for LGBTQIA+ youth, and their crisis calls have spiked a TON since Nex’s death. You can donate, print out brochures with resources and/or sign up as a volunteer here.

2. Transgender and nonbinary kids are vulnerable and scared. The Human Rights Commission’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council is collecting letters in support of trans children, to remind them they’re loved and supported.

   You can submit your letter on the HRC website.

3. Demand the removal of the Oklahoma education official who created an atmosphere in which Nex’s death was possible by signing HRC’s petition.

Get Smart! 📚

Interested in fair maps? Join a volunteer briefing about All On the Line’s 10 year plan with special guest Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. It’s on February 27, 2024 at 7:00 pm ET.

All On the Line is dedicated to ending gerrymandering and creating fair districts for all. Their team has been hard at work crafting the blueprint for next steps in their mission and they are delighted to be able to present this plan to you.

Sign up here.

Spread the Word! 📣

Reframing America

does it again. This article is incredible, if a little depressing. And it’s important.

Why do Undecided Voters Default to Trump?

Win Races! 🗳

Black Voters Matter is looking for volunteers to text with them every Tuesday, and especially on super Tuesday (March 5th). You can register for one of their orientation Zooms here (you need to attend one before signing up for a texting shift) and then sign up for a Tuesday texting shift here.

From them:

Black Voters Matters’ mission is to increase civic engagement and power building in predominantly Black communities. We are looking for volunteers who want to join our power building team and make a real impact. If you believe in our mission, take the next steps by attending our volunteer orientation. You will learn more about Black Voters Matter and the ways you can volunteer.

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

In honor of Black History Month, join the White House Council on Environmental Quality on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT for a virtual roundtable with Black conservation and climate leaders working to advance access to nature, climate justice, and the preservation of Black history. 

Speakers:

• Brenda Mallory, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

• Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO, Outdoor Afro

• Wawa Gatheru, Founder and Executive Director, Black Girl Environmentalist

• Vince Leggett, Founder and President, Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation

Register and submit your questions here.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps ] [H/T] [Text SIGN PRGORX to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

Filing our taxes online should be free and easy. I’m excited to be able to use the IRS’s new Direct File tax filing system. But I understand that some members of Congress are attempting to attach a rider to must-pass government funding legislation that would ban the IRS from implementing Direct File.

I urge you to vote against any riders that attack the IRS or ban the implementation of Direct File.

Investments in the IRS are already paying off: the agency is cracking down on wealthy and corporate tax cheats, processing tax returns more quickly, and answering more taxpayer questions with fewer delays.

Direct File is an investment in the American people. Please allow the IRS to put our needs ahead of the greed of TurboTax and H&R Block.

---

OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess