Paul Hastings’ Post

Last week, at LGBTQ+ Victory Institute 2023 International Leaders Conference was incredible in many ways, but one thing stood out for me: The strength, courage, resilience, positivity of our #trans and #nonbinary elected leaders from Montana to Oklahoma, from Virginia to Vermont. People who not only want to push back against the heinous legislation that is being proposed and put in to law across our country, but also work toward making all of their constituents lives better. Yet for some reason, a majority of the members of a once "grand" political party, and those running to serve all of the people in America, seem to be fixated on denying health care, denying presence, denying representation for our fellow citizens. #Transphobia was on display at the latest Republican Debate, but so were laws like "Don't say Gay." I think a big reason they seek to hurt and minimize #LGBTQ people is that they think we are weak, afraid and easy targets. And a second reason, is that they rarely have any ideas and legislation that they are working for...to help make housing affordable, to improve our health care systems for doctors/nurses and patients alike, and to help small farmers do what they do best. Imagine a world in which we can all can be represented in our school systems and libraries. Imagine a world in which we can wear what we want and be called how we want to be referred to. Imagine a world in which we try to build up our fellow citizens and not tear them down. And imagine a world where businesses don't consider us to be tricky or political, but simply human, and work toward rights of fairness and justice for all of us. We can imagine, but we need to come together with commitment, fortitude and strength. And if you would like to join in by being a member of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund's Victory Campaign Board, please let me know. Truly, joining the VCB opened up a whole new world to me, and continues to do so. https://lnkd.in/ehJJm2wF

My thoughts about yesterday!! I am truly disappointed, angry, frustrated, and breaking down at the thought that something good could have been done by the judgment. It's emotional as I pen this down as well. Questions like, what will happen to me in a country that, does not recognize my love, does not allow me to express my love the way the majority can, does not allow me to adopt kids, does not allow me to open a bank account, does not allow me to own a house together, does not give me and my partner the legal rights in case of any medical issues!! Let me breathe now, as it's agitating!! As a citizen and a tax-paying person of this country, why am I denied BASIC rights!! I won't even ask straight people to imagine these rights being denied, because you cannot simply imagine as you have been handed in a platter for generations and celebrated openly as well. Let me breathe again!! Firstly, I would like to thank all the lawyers, petitioners, and the numerous people who fought their best. Really hats off to you all. I can't imagine the emotional state you all might be in. Sending hugs to you all. Secondly, happy to see that our trans brothers and sisters and intersex community people have these rights now. Now, what is it can I do now? What role can I play? What is that I can do to bring a change? I will be all out with myself and will continue to do the work that I am doing in my own circle of control, be it at home, friends, work, or any place. I will keep saying this and continue to keep saying this: 1. ALLIES, it's time YOU come OUT OF YOUR CLOSET and support us openly, not only on social media but also in real. We need your support more than ever before. Do the work of advocacy in your own way possible, be it at home, with friends, office, or anywhere else. Call out any form of discrimination while you know your surroundings. 2. Leaders / DEI professionals/ Changemakers, it's time to amp up the conversation of LGBTQ+ inclusion in your respective workplaces. Don't do lip service and actually do the work that's required. Do not expect people from the LGBTQ community to come out of their closets and do the work, knowing that this judgment may push them into the closets even more. Take charge and make your workplaces more inclusive, sensitize people, and many more things. And lastly, my people from the LGBTQ+ community, please take care of your mental well-being during these times. Please get support from your friends, chosen family, or mental health practitioners. Sending virtual hugs and positivity to everyone who needs it!!! Will end this with a quote that's near and dear to me by Harvey Milk, "HOPE WILL NEVER BE SILENT"

My latest blog post. Please subscribe and share. #Transgender #UnitedStates #Discrimination #Transphobia #Fear

Bigotry is bad for business.

As I listened to the reports come in about how Trump overwhelmingly won every primary held, I read a long list of stories about how the MAGAt christofascists are waging their culture wars. In Florida, as this article describes, “the Republican-controlled lower chamber of the state Legislature… seeks to deny the legal existence of transgender individuals by requiring individuals to identify as their sex assigned at birth.” As I read this I asked myself, is this a single MAGAt controlled state action or is this a national trend? I am sorry to tell you this is a very nasty national trend. The ACLU, as of 1 March 2024, reports they are tracking 471 anti-LGBTQ bills. The obsession and hate over other people’s sexuality is one of the defining aspects of this evil Republican cult. And yet, as today’s preliminaries demonstrate, a large percentage of Americans subscribe to this hate. The United States is defining itself as a society of hate.

Real people are having experiences that cause inner turmoil around their identity as male or female. This is what we call “gender dysphoria.” The issue is not so much rightly defining gender, as some political and cultural pundits might have you believe. The issue is how to help people navigate their human experiences in such a way that leads them to true inner peace. This conversation is far more complex than a yes or no answer to whether or not we should honor one’s preferred pronouns. In this deep dive, we’re going to look at, -Why some Christians think it is sin to use preferred pronouns -A counter perspective known as “pronoun hospitality” -Some real-life experiences I have had that help shape my approach in this conversation -One particular instance when I would NOT use preferred pronouns -Guidelines and questions to help us navigate the conversation in a healthy way https://lnkd.in/gHGN_Q2t

President Joe Biden's announcement declaring Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility has ignited widespread anger across the nation. On March 29, Biden proclaimed that this year, on March 31, 2024, America would commemorate both Easter Sunday and Trans Day of Visibility. However, it's important to recognize that March 31 has been designated as Trans Day of Visibility since 2009; this year, it coincidentally aligns with Easter Sunday. In swift response to Biden's declaration, notable politicians, Christians, LGBTQ+ advocates, and others took to social media to express their criticism and opinions. Both Donald Trump and Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as the male Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, joined in condemning Biden's actions, calling for an apology and saying it’s been a “years long assault on Christians”. Tyrese also entered the conversation: “President Joe, I really really hate to put up this post sir. This is a REACH. I swear man y’all are just really really really taking things too far….Pick up your Bible, Mr. President. Jesus don’t do politics. Jesus is not a Democrat or Republican. Jesus is not to be used for political agendas or gains. And if you haven’t noticed, there actually aren’t enough transgenders on this earth right now that could get you re-elected lol…..” #otgnews #otg #latestnews #presidentbiden #donaldtrump #transgenderdayofvisibility #christians #resurrectionsunday #tyrese #caitlinjenner #politics

It can happen here. And that is frightening. The rights of #LGBTQ people should be the same as the rights of all people. And in a country where we were taught about "liberty and justice for all," they are continuing to slip away. This is not about politics. It is about people. Many organizations strive to be nonpartisan -- for all the right reasons. Yet, when the politics of the country veer from the health, safety and well-being of all its citizens, can decent, principled organizations sit on the sidelines. Can we, as decent, principled citizens, do so either? Those of us who live in the United States are lucky to live in a democracy, where there are many opportunities to participate. Voting is the most obvious and perhaps the most important way to participate (although for some people, the increasing intimidation to do so is on the rise). But there are other ways. Going to town meetings, canvassing for candidates, questioning elected officials, supporting candidates vying to represent your community. And to my fellow #LGBTQ citizens and our large group of allies/advocates, I encourage you to read this Rolling Stone article and consider how last week's election of an avowed opponent to our rights is now in one of our government's highest positions. There are elections this year like in Virginia next week with outstanding candidates like Joshua Cole and Danica Roem on the ballot. I'll be working the polls in my town in Connecticut for local elections, even though they are uncontested. There is a way forward, because we can't let the other way gain more steam, as it quietly did last week. https://lnkd.in/eQWYFX_Y

“THE FATHER’s HEART ON HOMOSEXUALITY” (TFHOH) By: Walter L. Smith III (WS-3) and WS-3 Enterprises & Associates, LLC. #TFHOH — NOOK POSTS Excerpt from Chapter 32 — “CHRIST REIGNS SUPREME OVER ALL” Are People Born Gay? Q. What will the LGBTQ political agenda and the pursuit for special rights become, without the proper balancing agency of a philosophically and historically informed human rights approach — amid the radical new formation of civil rights policy by LGBTQ proponents? A. A fundamentally biased and imbalanced political crusade that confuses, divides, manipulates, and ostracizes people who are partially engaged in the ongoing culture war, and who barely understand how the beliefs and the liberties of other social segments are being negatively impacted by the aggressive pursuit of LGBTQ sectarian policies and divisiveness; through forcefully imposing the LGBTQ agenda. Q. Where do the LGBTQ community’s political agenda and pursuits intersect with Satan’s (if at all) or how does the LGBTQ political agenda parallel with Satan’s diabolical agenda — to kill, steal, and destroy all of humanity? A. At the intersection of the very “human” LGBTQ political agenda is the satanically promoted diabolical strategies surrounding that distorts and perverts God’s Original Intent, which is the beginning of all human resignation to the illegitimate power of Satan; by letting anything rule over you — or make you subject to “it”; other than the power of Almighty God. By being fully informed about the long lasting and traumatic impacts of gender-altering procedures, drugs, and therapies that may ascetically change their appearance, but don’t have the power to change their heart! Q. How do we deface ourselves or cheapen the value of the glory of our humanity, as the apex of God’s fearfully and wonderfully made creation? A. We do this by ignorantly or innocently mismanaging or misusing our selves (bodies, spirits, or souls) in direct opposition to or contrary to the very nature and purpose that Creator God had in mind from the beginning of time. I believe that we have inherited issues and proclivities from birth, and often with no involvement of our own — based upon the decision or indecision of our parents; along with Satan’s scheme, which is to kill, steal or destroy from the time every human being first enters the agency of time. I believe that Satan works before and after childbirth to damage or destroy every human being — therefore, from the time a baby leaves the womb, a multiplicity of things could contribute to someone feeling whatever (the behavior), “that they were born that way”. If Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn it—how dare we try to!!

Examining the hostility faced by #JudithButler in #Brazil, this article addresses the dangers of stifling academic pursuits in #genderstudies, while finding Butler's recent work somewhat detached and lacking actionable insights for those combating regressive views on #gender and #sexuality. The author suggest this reflects the broader challenges in bridging theoretical discourse with practical sociopolitical #activism. READ: https://lnkd.in/dCsBH8ng