An Ally Speaks

I found this post on Facebook.

We can bring about change two ways, one is by our activism and the other way is more effective, the activism of our allies. When we speak up was have an “axe to grind” but when an ally speaks up they do it from the heart.

I Fear Violent People, Not Transgender People
JOHN PAVLOVITZ
August 17, 2018

This week reminded how terrifying people can be. It reminded my how close and ugly the monsters are.

An Oklahoma middle school shut down after explicit and violent threats on social media.

But the threats didn’t come from a potential shooter or a terrorist bomber; not some unknown and unhinged lone wolf hiding in the shadows; not a deranged person with untreated psychosis they came from parents of the students—supposed adults [And one of them turned out to be an airline pilot].

And their unthinkable venom was directed at a seventh grade transgender girl who attens [sic] class with their children.

I think in the climate of hate that Trump and the Republicans have created here in America encourages this behavior. Pitting the right against those who are different and blaming the country woes on them.

I never fear transgender people—because I know them. I’ve listened to them and sat with and lived alongside them, and I love them.

I know they have capacity for compassion that few people possess. They’ve experienced how profoundly horrible human beings can be, and they understand what it feels like to be dehumanized for simply breathing.

As a result, they are some of the kindest, most open-hearted, most empathetic human beings I’ve known; deep feelers, good listeners, gentle healers. They have eyes able to scan the crowd and see the bullied and the frightened and the outsiders—and they instinctively move toward them.

We need to cultivate our allies to speak up and speak out for us. As the director of True Colors like to say “If you hear mean, intervene.”

And we have to become more visible but only if it is safe to do so.

As Harvey Milk said in his famous quote,

“Gay brothers and sisters... You must come out. Come out... to your parents... I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives... come out to your friends... if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors... to your fellow workers... to the people who work where you eat and shop... come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene.”

In Massachusetts there is a ballot question that will remove our protections we need to come out, we need our allies to speak up.

This is a battle for our rights, for our freedom, for us to be ourselves.

I own property in Massachusetts and just by walking down the street I am making a statement. Just by riding the bus I am showing that we are just like you.

We need allies to write “Letters-to-the-Editor” and to make sure that no hate letters are unchallenged.

If you live in Massachusetts they are looking for all types of volunteers to help get out the vote in November.
Here are some groups you can contact
MassEquality
GLAD 
MTPC