One Action, Every Day
With everything going on, I want folks to consider taking at least one action a day that helps others — and, primarily, helps communities who are bearing the brunt of harm happening right now.
Today, this is my action.
Trans Scouts selling cookies
Every year, trans journalist Erin Reed pulls together a list of transgender & nonbinary scouts who are selling cookies. This has been a great way for these kids to feel loved by people across the nation — and indeed one child relayed to Erin that
"They had several people purchase cookies from the site last year and it made Elvie realize that the queer community is there to support and uplift each other."
This goes far beyond cookies. This is the kind of support can change these kids’ lives and help them feel more hopeful and cared for.
Statistics show that having support helps combat negative mental health — including suicidal ideation and actions — in trans kids. That’s vital in a world where many trans youth are forced to grapple with a world that’s increasingly hostile and tells them they don’t or shouldn’t exist.
I spent my morning combing through Erin’s list and pulling out the kids who have not yet met their goals, posting about each one of these kids on Bluesky.
If you're looking for actionable ways to support transgender and nonbinary kids — and especially those in states that are very hostile to their existence — here's a great way to do so.
FYI you're not limited to supporting kids in your area, either, as the ordering website offers shipping as an option. Just make sure that you select that when ordering so as to not make it hard for these kids to get their cookie orders out.
Also, if you're not into cookies, you can 'donate' boxes right on the order forms!
Here are some other, non-cookie-related things you can do to support transgender and nonbinary folks right now.
Keeping on top of the news
I know a lot of us are struggling to keep up with the news right now. One tool that I’ve been using that might also help you is the newsletter What The Fuck Just Happened Today? Curated by Matt Kiser, this newsletter currently publishes Monday-Thursday. That said, Matt has started “Well That’s Fantastic” Friday edition – a selection of notable news items that will restore your faith in humanity, with a focus on productive or constructive advancements related to politics, health, science, climate, technology, etc.
I would also suggest following the Trans Formations Project. They work hard to track and share information about legislation and other moves that harm the transgender community. This is especially great for folks who want to be allies but don’t understand how widespread the harm occurring is. In addition to their website, you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr. They also regularly share updates on them magazine’s site and sometimes on Teen Vogue. They’re looking for more volunteers due to the breadth of harm happening, in case that’s something you’re interested in.
I also highly recommend following Dr. Rubin on Substack. He’s an allergist and makes a lot of educational content. In the wake of the gag order barring government scientific organizations from putting out much information, he’s posting daily updates about recalls on medications and foods — something incredibly important for us to know about.
It would be good to follow The People’s CDC, too, if you haven’t already. They have done a great job of putting out information about COVID infection rates and are helping pushback against harmful misinformation, legislation, and confirmations.
Self-care
Gentle reminder that, if you’re struggling with self-care right now, you’re not alone.
That’s part of the point of the repeated barrage of executive orders, harmful legislation, and beyond happening daily right now.
If you’re lost and you aren’t sure what to do to take care of yourself, consider checking out the browser-based game I made called Feel Better. It’s especially good for folks who are neurodivergent and deal with chronic pain, with a caveat that I built it initially for myself so some items may not apply.
If you’re looking for an app that can remind you to practice better self-care, check out Finch. I had this a few years ago (2022?) and had uninstalled it at some point, mostly because it became a chore for me as opposed to actually helping. But I re-installed it two weeks ago and it’s been wonderful to have. You get to nurture a birb from a tiny hatchling to an adult, helping them learn about the world and themselves as you go. Everything you check off your list, from self-care to other tasks, helps! If you want to join — or have the app already — and want to add me, my friend code is D1YJ28ZGEH.
You’re the only version of you that exists. Please take care of yourself.
Love you, mean it.
Grayson