Angela Dowling’s Post

“Recently in Victoria, conversations between local councils, LGBTIQA+ leaders and organisations have centred around ways to continue holding Pride events while avoiding cancellations. One proposal is to make them harder to find by reducing publicity and ensuring events don’t include words like “drag” or “rainbow” that would alert the tiny protesting minority to an event’s existence. “While this attempt to sidestep bigotry has good intentions, it would drive these events — and the LGBTIQA+ community with it — underground again and back into the closet.” A wonderful article by Joe Ball. The violent rhetoric of the far right is never easy to deal with, but as leaders we must have the courage to hold firm in providing safe spaces and events that are supportive of the well-being of our community - particularly of those that are the target of this abuse. It would be helpful if other levels of government could legislate consequences for hate speech and threats. I include members of the media and media organisations that take part in this behaviour. Maybe some think that the LGBTIQA+ is small and therefore this isn’t an issue. But when combined with all the people who love them, care about them or are simply allies - I believe this is the majority of the community. Abuse and violence has a ripple effect. #noexcuseforabuse #safespaces #lgbtiqa #communitywellbeing

Commemorative Flag Application Progress Pride Flag for 2024 came before the Gilroy City Council last night and I'm thankful for the supportive majority who approved it. In 2021 we made city history by being the first Gilroy City Council to recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the raising of the Pride Flag at Gilroy City Hall which showed the region and world that with one more small step, Gilroy is moving forward. One of the purposes behind raising the flag is to heighten awareness of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, as well as celebrate diversity, equity, social justice and inclusion. #HiltonForCouncil #HiltonForGilroy #Gilroy #GilroyBPAC #GilMtg Many community members came to recognize this historic occasion and we were joined by our Local, State and Congressional electeds, who the previous week presented a joint resolution into the Congressional Record. Today you can find year round support and Pride for the LGBTQ+ members of our community from our local Public Library, Non-Profits, County, and County Office of Education. My call to action is to the Gilroy Unified School District, who have never raised the Pride Flag in June at the District Offices or any school site. All children should be able to attend school in a safe and inclusive environment free from discrimination. Civil rights laws and the California Education Code sections 200-220 contribute to such environments. The lack of awareness and understanding of issues facing LGBTQ+ children and youth have contributed to higher rates of school dropout, academic failure, suicide and school disengagement. Education regarding LGBTQ+ issues increases understanding and cultivates respect for LGBTQ+ students and cultivates a culture of allyship. https://lnkd.in/gPGysu3J

The climate of hate in Canada is unacceptable. The rights that we have recently gained are being challenged and fear is once again becoming the prevailing mood of our community. It's disheartening, to say the least, that these battles continue and ignorance and hate are being tolerated and promoted once again in the world. I participated in this fight many years ago and am astonished, and exhausted, at facing this again. We won't be scapegoats. We won't be targets. It's imperative that our allies make a strong stance against the forces of hate and moral panic that is exploding all around us. We ask that you stand in solidarity with us and say NO to fear and hate. And to back that stance up with words and actions. Be specific. Say that indoctrination of children in schools is false. Say that books portraying 2SLGBTQI+ are not a threat to anyone. Say that transpeople are deserving of love and respect.

Do you want to help and support, but aren't sure where to start? There are some calls to action in this article that can give you some ideas. #ProtectTransLives #ProtectTransKids #Protect2SLGBTQIFolks

Honoring the resilience and courage of those who suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery. On this International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, let us reflect on our past to build a better future. An important way to counter racism with justice is to acknowledge the foundational dignity, equality, and rights of people of African descent within our communities, institutions, policies, laws, and governing bodies. Together, we stand against injustice and commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. #EndSlavery #RemembranceDay #JusticeForAll #SocialJustice #AntiRacist #AntiRacism #RacialEquity #Freedom #HumanRights #Allyship #ConnectedCommunity #Equality #Diversity #Inclusion #Solidarity #Activism #UnityInDiversity #EndRacism #EqualRights #Unite #RacialJustice #Toronto #NorthYork #Willowdale #Ontario #Canada #TOPoli

#PWBWeek day 4! Prioritizing #diversity in the industry used to mean reserving just one seat for just one woman at the table. We've come a long way since then, and although there's still more to go, I'm proud to be a part of an organization that supports diversity in all its forms. #NAHB, #NAHBWomenInBuilding, #NAHBWomenInBuildingWeek #WeAllBuild #DiversityandInclusion #HBAHereForGood https://lnkd.in/gyr7WVkV

Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for your 2SLGBTQIA+ colleagues and peers, especially your trans+, gender-non-conforming, non-binary or genderfluid colleagues and peers. Lots of us won't be able to take the day off the process the grief and heaviness of the hate and violence being levied at our communities, ourselves and our loved ones by the far-right. Lots of us won't be able to show up to counter protest and demonstrate solidarity and community strength, whether because of work or because of safety. Extend some grace (and some deadlines). Buy someone a cup of tea. Take stuff off our plates. Show up.

🌈🚫Pride at Work Canada / Fierté au travail Canada will be closed tomorrow. No staff are obligated to work, but everyone will still get paid. Here’s why: 🪧🍁Far-right conspiratorial groups, including Christian Nationalists, COVID-19 conspiracy theorists, and anti-public #education activists have planned a series of demonstrations to take place across #Canada tomorrow, Wednesday, September 20, 2023. These demonstrations seek to eliminate important #curriculum and #policies from Canadian schools. 🛟☔While the demonstrations target #2slgbtqia people and subject matter, these extremist actors threaten the safety of everyone in Canada. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈So, why is an #organization committed to helping #2S, #queer and #trans people thrive shutting down for the day? 💡We are led and staffed by 2S, queer and trans people who have been called to serve our community. This affects us both professionally and personally. 💡Some of us have been called to counter-protest. 💡The precipitous rise in hate towards our communities has been dizzying and some of us need to rest. 💡Some of us need to unplug. Since our communities’ #traumas are so much more tantalizing to the media than our #strengths, all some of us read is bad news.  💡One million other reasons: our communities are not monolithic. Each of us experiences this type of action differently. So, we wanted to provide space for folks to take #care of themselves. 🌈If you are a member of our communities, keep yourself safe: Pride defense guide: https://lnkd.in/g6H62Bzw   Umbrella Mental Health Network: https://www.umhn.ca/ LGBT Youthline: https://www.youthline.ca/  CCGSD: https://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/ 🌈If you call yourself an ally, live up to that label by becoming informed of the dire situation we have found ourselves in: The Canadian Anti-Hate Network: https://lnkd.in/gVvB-MPH

Today, we honor and celebrate freedom, resilience, and equality. Happy Juneteenth! Let's continue to learn, grow, and stand together for freedom. ♥️ #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #CelebrateFreedom #HappyJuneteenth #JuneteenthIndependenceDay #KimHendry #TheKimHendryTeam #KimHendryTeam

We’re seeing a rise in diverse hunters and self-defense shooters from various ethnic and cultural groups. As Bethany Beathard contends, it’s important to continue fostering a welcoming environment for incoming hunters, especially those from marginalized groups within the industry. Learn more about it in her article, "Breaking Down Barriers: Diversity & Inclusion." https://lnkd.in/gaYMUht6