Kevin Wheeler’s Post

WE ARE EVERYWHERE 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ This button is from the 1970s Lesbian Herstory Archive. @lesbian_herstory And I am posting for LGBTQ History Month. The phrase was meant to remind polite, heterosexual society that lesbians were humans, too. And that lesbians were among everyone else. Working. Voting. Paying taxes. Falling in love. Suffering the pangs of heartbreak. Just like you. Now we use this phrase WE ARE EVERYWHERE to remind cisgender people that trans people are among you and members of society. Such a simple slogan. Used over and over again. And yet how soon do we forget that at one point, probably all of us or our ancestors uttered similar words? And they did so at a time when they were scared. Or threatened. Or like now for trans people with current legislation, making it difficult or impossible for trans and gender non-conforming people to receive healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to publicly exist. Please remember trans issues aren't just about trans people. They're about all of us. The loss of rights and inhumanity has a ripple effect that touches everyone involved. #translivesmatter #weareeverywhere #lgbtqhistorymonth

Just wrapped on a panel today, titled, "Creating More Welcoming Workplaces for Nonbinary Individuals" with D Dangaran, Rebekah Scherr, Rafael M. Langer-Osuna, and Andy Izenson, sponsored by the American Bar Association, the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, Beyond Binary Legal, NALP, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and the National Trans Bar Association. I echoed the urgency to act that I want us all to consider and feel: with this onslaught of anti-trans legislation getting introduced, challenged, and upheld around the country, there will be more trans and nonbinary court users, served by more trans and nonbinary court personnel, and represented by more trans and nonbinary attorneys, all affected by the sting of systemic transphobia. What is our collective plan to make our legal spaces SAFE, welcoming, and affirming for people like me and my community? Small steps towards this make our systems more accessible for all. I highly recommend reading this guide to start: "Creating More Welcoming Workplaces: Practical Steps Towards Nonbinary Inclusion in the Legal Profession" https://lnkd.in/eSPBkvmW

I typically avoid discussing politics because I firmly believe in everyone's right to make their own choices. However, since June 24, 2022, it feels like the United States is using politics to regress and strip away human rights. First, women's reproductive rights were targeted in 2022, and now individuals are being banned from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. Consider the impact on those who have undergone sex reassignment surgery but are still forced to use bathrooms that do not match their gender identity. This policy is likely to create more problems than it solves. Are we not exacerbating issues rather than addressing them by denying these Americans the simple dignity of using the appropriate bathroom? It seems that our freedoms are increasingly reserved for a select few, rather than being a universal right for all Americans. #LGBTQ #reproductiverights #abortion #equality #transEquality

Facts for 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Pride & challenges - we need help & support please 💜 & fairness can prevail Over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, a record; Over 220 bills specifically target transgender and non-binary people, also a record; and A record 70 anti-LGBTQ laws have been enacted so far this year, including: Laws banning gender affirming care for transgender youth: 15 Laws requiring or allowing misgendering of transgender students: 7 Laws targeting drag performances: 2 Laws creating a license to discriminate: 3 Laws censoring school curriculum, including books: 4

Quote of the week: "When it comes to free speech, institutions can’t just say, 'Well, that whole first Amendment thing, well, we can kind of overlook it here because it's p*rn and it's yucky and that's wrong,' because the core of the First Amendment is that it protects all free speech, not just socially acceptable speech." — Corey Silverstein Welcome to the latest roundup of 'Sex in the News', where we explore the most compelling stories and trends shaping human intimacy, relationships, and identity! This week, we dive into a range of topics, from the evolving landscape of male sexuality to the impact of deepfake 🌽. Discover how video games serve as a safe space for transgender individuals, and delve into discussions about free speech and the use of SSRIs in sexual health. Explore the latest research on LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. and other important topics. Stories by: David Cox, Robin Zabiegalski, Stef Sanjati, Kaamna Bhojwani, and more. Find summaries and links for all articles at sextechnchill.com ✨ #SexTechNChill #SexInTheNews #SexTech #SexualWellness #Sexuality #DestigmatizePleasure #LGBTQ #SexEducation #SexualWellness #Pleasure

No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all! Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). With equality, freedom and justice in mind, we want to bring attention to the recently announced review of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) in the UK. Following years of targeted anti-trans sentiment, the proposed RSHE guidance states simply that "gender identity should not be taught". Pushing trans and nonbinary people from the public eye doesn't change the reality that we exist. Children should not be brought up with a narrow and unrealistic understanding of human diversity, leaving them woefully unprepared for a naturally diverse world. Simply not teaching about gender will not prevent kids from being trans and non-binary, but it will teach those kids to live in enforced silence and shame. We are still feeling the repercussions of Section 28. A repeat of that injustice is being threatened again, now. The gov review of the RSHE statutory guidance consultation is open now and closes 11:59pm on 11 July 2024. Please fill it out - let's oppose the utter inadequacy of this proposed guidance, together (link in our bio). Not one child or young person should be left behind. Equality, freedom, and justice for ALL! #Proud2Be #Trans #Nonbinary #Gay #Bi #IDAHOBIT #IDAHOBIT2024 #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

350. According to the Trans Murder Monitoring project, that is the number of transgender people reported to be killed across the globe in 2024. Many of them Black and Brown people. Some of them youth ALL of them human beings. Many more lives may not be reflected in this number as underreporting can occur for a variety of reasons. One thing's for certain; one life lost is too many. On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the individuals we've lost in the fight for trans equality, rights, and access to freedom. Past and present, trans people and allies continue to advocate for their right to exist. The lives of our fallen trans and gender diverse peers have not been lost in vain. We persist. We continue. Check out S1, E7 "In Honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance" to hear my conversation with Anna Jayne Metcalf, founder of tdor.translivesmatter.info, where we discuss the significance of TDoR, the increasing deaths of trans people as a public health concern, and how data visibility and reporting of these figures empowers us to start advocating against these senseless losses of life. Sources: https://lnkd.in/g2yazF53, tdor.translivesmatter.info #lgbt #trans #transgender #tdor #transgenderdayofremembrance #advocacy #publichealth #socialjustice #protecttransyouth #endtransmurders #stoptranssuicides #findtaylorcasey

There are too many 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘮𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 about trans people that are too readily shared. And, perhaps it is because 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, those who are not trans may not appreciate the ramifications: 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 with which no one should have to live. Please join us for a moderated conversation with some trans rock star lawyers for a candid discussion about being trans, the trans community, trans lawyers, and how we can foster greater and more meaningful allyship with, and inclusion of, the trans community within the legal profession. 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: October 21st, 2024 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦 • Kylar W. Broadus, Esq Attorney at Law, LLC • Shannon Minter Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights • Rachel See (moderator) Senior Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw LLP 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: https://lnkd.in/g5VCZGGR Sandra Yamate, Linda Chanow, Regina Speed-Bost, Jennifer Alice Jackson, Avani Patel‎, Nishan Ardon #trans #translawyers #transcommunity #LGBTQ #transpeople #legalprofession #inclusion #IILP #discrimination #misperceptions #misunderstandings #allyship

Protections for LGBTQ+ students are crucial. Last week, the Biden administration implemented new federal rules under Title IX (the 1972 law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding) extending protections for LGBTQ+ students against discrimination and harassment in schools, effective August 1st, 2024. These rules broaden the scope of Title IX, explicitly prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This signifies progress towards creating safer and more inclusive environments for all students. Unlike the previous administration's policies, which narrowed protections, these changes expand Title IX's scope to explicitly protect LGBTQ+ individuals. While this is a positive step forward, there's still more work to be done to ensure full equality and protection. As a law firm committed to equality and justice, we welcome these changes and remain dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in education and beyond. Let's continue working together to build a future where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and equality under the law. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCj_WnBK #LGBTQrights #LGBTQIA #EqualityForAll #LGBTQEquality #InclusivePolicies #GenderEquality #LegalProtection #HumanRights #TitleIX #GenderIdentityProtection #EqualityUnderLaw #EqualRightsForAll #LegalEquality #CivilRights #LegalUpdate

It's hard to "play nice." Vulnerable and honest transgender and non-binary individuals are speaking up about how angry they are about the issues in the world for those of us who are gender diverse that are affecting our mental health. Perhaps you echo their frustrations? Are you upset, in pain, feeling vulnerability, or have the rage that they carry? http://www.Karada-House.de Hosted by a transgender genderqueer individual, this conversation will center transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals and their experiences, but partners and allies are welcome to attend. Be ready though - this space for third gender, two spirit, gender exploring, and trans people across the spectrum is for us, by us. And it won't always be "nice." Get your tickets today for this experience held September 17th: 11a-1p Pacific, 2-4p Eastern, 8-10p Berlin/CET. http://www.Karada-House.de [Description: Square image that reads "Trans Rage" across the center in yellow letters. Above it is the transgender pride flag drawn in chalk on concrete. Below it is the white text "Presented by Karada House and Lee Harrington." In yellow it reads "Buckle in for a deep dive for trans and non-binary to express the things that are harming our world. You are not alone." In white text it shows a calendar that says "September 17th," and a globe with "Karada-House.de" next to it.] #Transgender #Trans #TransRage #TransEducation #TransgenderSafeSpace #PassionAndSoul #LeeHarrington #AdultSexEducation #SexEducation