COVID-19 Isn't Over, And Neither Are Anti-Trans Attacks and Mass Ableism
Before I dig into our news stories, I have exciting news! I’ve been working to vet providers in the SCAN Health Plans for Los Angeles and Riverside Counties in Southern California to see if they are LGBTQ+ affirming as a part of my day job. Why? As of 1/1/2023, SCAN is launching the first-ever Medicare Advantage Plan for LGBTQ+ seniors! Folks who sign up will also receive support from the Included Health LGBTQ+ Community Care Coordinators, who can help find healthcare providers, navigate insurance issues, and more.
What is ableism?
![ACCESS INFO: light background dark text: rectangular image with the definition of ableism laid over various colored blocks in the background indicating the overlaid, intertwined, connected nature of all forms of systemic oppression to ableism. The following words are on the image: able·ism /ˈābəˌlizəm/ noun A system of assigning value to people's bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness. These constructed ideas are deeply rooted in eugenics, anti-Blackness, misogyny, colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism. This systemic oppression that leads to people and society determining people's value based on their culture, age, language, appearance, religion, birth or living place, "health/wellness", and/or their ability to satisfactorily re/produce, "excel" and "behave." You do not have to be disabled to experience ableism. working definition by @TalilaLewis, updated January 2022, developed in community with disabled Black/negatively racialized folk, especially @NotThreeFifths. Read more: bit.ly/ableism2022](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7b388831-54ea-4d6e-b69f-28455ab8e011_1200x675.jpeg "ACCESS INFO: light background dark text: rectangular image with the definition of ableism laid over various colored blocks in the background indicating the overlaid, intertwined, connected nature of all forms of systemic oppression to ableism. The following words are on the image: able·ism /ˈābəˌlizəm/ noun A system of assigning value to people's bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness. These constructed ideas are deeply rooted in eugenics, anti-Blackness, misogyny, colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism. This systemic oppression that leads to people and society determining people's value based on their culture, age, language, appearance, religion, birth or living place, "health/wellness", and/or their ability to satisfactorily re/produce, "excel" and "behave." You do not have to be disabled to experience ableism. working definition by @TalilaLewis, updated January 2022, developed in community with disabled Black/negatively racialized folk, especially @NotThreeFifths. Read more: bit.ly/ableism2022")
If you haven’t seen, politician John Fetterman has been the target of some mass ableism in relation to recovery following a stroke in May. I’ll let Sarah, Rachel, and David paint a picture:
John Fetterman’s Stroke Has Led to Ableist Criticism From Media, Politicians by Sarah Blahovec
The Treatment of Fetterman Shows Why There Are So Few Disabled Officials by Rachel Charlton-Dailey
Why That John Fetterman Interview Caused a Furor by David Perry
COVID-19
U.S. extends Covid public health emergency even though Biden says pandemic is over by Spencer Kimball - Note: No, the pandemic is not over. Check out the most recent data from the People’s CDC here:
Quick Notes + Must Reads
Jon Stewart’s Take Down of Arkansas’ Transphobic Policies Is a Must-Watch by James Factora
A Man Said LGBTQ People ‘Deserve Death’ at a School Board Meeting in Arkansas by Anya Zoledziowski
Jamie Lee Curtis Is "Scared" for Her Trans Daughter by Samantha Riedel
Teen Farmworkers Support the US Agricultural Industry But Have Few Protections by Jessica De La Torre
New Secret Service Messages Show They Were Warned About Jan. 6: ‘Their Plan Is to Literally Kill People’ by Tess Owen and Paul Blest
Articles to Read This Week
Signs That You Need a Mental Health Break From Work, and How To Ask For One by Shubhanjana Das
When Online Harassment Is So Awful You Need Trauma Therapy by Suzy Katz
What Are ‘Blue Spaces’ and How Can They Benefit Mental Health? by Kimberly Drake
People With Chronic Conditions Like RA Can Face Difficulty Getting Meds Due to Strict Abortion Laws by Heather Grey
How Crohn's Disease Risk May Be Linked to Common Norovirus by Jamie Reno
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha’s “The Future Is Disabled” Should Be Required Reading by Katie Reilly
'Year of the Tiger' By Alice Wong Is a Letter to Asian American Disabled Women and Girls
The Truth About Navigating Chronic Pain in Relationships by Refinery 29
BMI: The Mismeasure of Weight and the Mistreatment of Obesity by Julie Appleby
Researchers Say Waist-to-Hip Ratio Should Replace BMI—Here’s Why by Korin Miller
HHS Announces Initiatives to Address Language Barriers in Care Access by Sarai Rodriguez
Racial Health Disparities Persist in Access to Digital Mammograms by Sara Heath
Discrimination Shapes Care Access for Patients with Disabilities by Sarai Rodriguez
DoorDash, InstaCart Are Working With Food Banks to Deliver Groceries to People in Need by Stephanie Brown
For Girls With Roots in Latin America, Cultural Pressure Can Mean Mental Health Struggles by Lorraine Avila
To Achieve Racial Equity in Health Care, Treat the Whole Person by Latanya Weston
She Planned a Drag Event For Her Bakery. Now the Far-Right Stalks and Harasses Her. by Tess Owen
John Waters, Reigning King Of Filth, Will Direct His First Movie In Nearly 20 Years by Christopher Rudolph
7 Films and TV Shows That Capture Queer Latinx Experiences by Josie Meléndez
8 Two-Spirit Artists, Activists, and Healers Showing the World Queerness is Indigenous by Quispe López
Jinkies! Velma is officially a lesbian in new "Scooby-Doo" animated movie by Christopher Rudolph
8 LGBTQ+ People on Whether They Prefer "Latinx," "Latine," or Neither by Quispe López
Elvira Knew About Madonna’s Queerness Before TikTok by James Factora
You can end overdoses today!
Did you know that you can access free training on how to assist someone experiencing an overdose and using Narcan? You can also access Narcan for free - just pay for shipping. Click here to learn more.
If you're outside California, you will receive injections, not the nasal spray. If looking for a nasal spray, look into more localized resources such as your local health department. This training though is incredibly good and I would still suggest it.
Thanks for reading! If you have feedback or anything you’d like to share, feel free to reach out to me on social media or by email (all linked here).
Love your face!
Grayson