Compassion

We begin with a 7-Eleven clerk who intervened when a domestic violence victim accompanied by her abuser gave a hand signal for help—see story here (and learn about the hand signal!). Then there’s this incredible video/story of a pup saving its owner who fell through ice. Another video has a man doing his best to save a pup from a waterfall. We also have Army football player Larry Pickett, Jr. and his father who rescued a car accident victim just before the victim’s car exploded in a fireball (read the full story; it will make you very proud of a young man!). More compassion by a Grand Rapids MI cop, along with this story of a MN fast food worker being gifted a car. Lastly, see this timeless legislative testimony by the father of a transgender girl—which Missouri lawmakers promptly ignored to ultimately pass a law banning gender affirming care in that state.  

See this delightful Canadian reminder about inclusivity—I shared it several years ago, but certainly, we again desperately need the reminder now. There’s also this profile in courage with Dr. Gregory N. Washington, president of George Mason University, refusing to apologize to Trump/his DOJ for the university’s commitment to DEI. See too how AB Hernandez and her mother remain brave (AB is a trans California volleyball player who courageously continues to play despite teams refusing to compete against her team)—why in world can’t we just leave AB alone? Also, in preparation for my Cedar Rapids book reading, a local TV station interviewed me; click here for the clip. And please remember that I have a weekly radio/podcast show, “The Illegal Trans Woman,” that you can download wherever you get your podcasts—please tell others about this advocacy-focused show! 

We have plenty of pain out there, so there’s no need for me to pile on. However, I do need to mention trans journalist Erin Reed’s report about how the creator of the transgender flag is fleeing the country due to persecution fears. (Read here.) And—of course—Texas just banned transgender people from utilizing restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity, joining 19 other states with similar bans. Finally, see this story about Idaho’s version of the 988-emergency help line refusing to speak to kids/youth who don’t have parental consent to talk to 988—many of those young humans are LGBTQ+ and need help because of parental intolerance. This is a harbinger for similar bans in other states, leaving queer kids with no one to talk to/increasing their suicidality. 

Someday, I will do an entire newsletter filled just with Relief, but for now, you’ll have to settle for this video of a pup who simply won’t cooperate when Mom has a time crunch. With fall around the corner, see Stella and her love for leaf piles! There’s also this magic of serenading a tiger, along with the mystery of an orange shark. I also can’t forget these very unhappy huskies. And grab some tissues as you experience “Mr. Richard” singing “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. (It’s so true: we can’t stop believing—in the goodness of humans, in our ability to overcome, in the promise that America still holds for all!)

Support/

Allyship

Here is a powerful firsthand account of being taught about the “Bystander Effect”—which prevents many from being a real-time ally to someone in need. In the wake of the horrible Annunciation shooting, here’s a brave HuffPost piece by the mother of a trans child. And too, longtime Ripple reader Mickey sent along this video of Jacinta Allen, premier of the Australian state, Victoria, speaking out to support trans kids/youth accessing gender affirming care. Also, this video of Kodi Lee (blind and on the autism spectrum) performing always brings me to tears. And wow, in a grand act of allyship, see this phenomenal Goodreads review of Being Ellen by Ripple friend Carolyn—wow!

Lastly, several of you have recently donated to Human Ripple Works, Inc., the nonprofit which makes it possible for me to do more work for organizations that lack budgets for training (like talking to Gender and Sexuality Alliances at various schools across the country). Thank you for that! If you’d like to support this work, please click here on the HRW website. Thanks!