6/16/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Thanks for signing your LGBTQ+ Exec Order yesterday. It was exciting to see Javier Gomez (JG) in his white outfit representing the proud gay youth in our nation & calling you a “true leader.” That must have been music to your ears.

JG’s courage in speaking out against the Don’t Say Gay Bill in FL demonstrates the power in youth voice. Along with kids like,17-yr old, Jack Petocz, policy director at Gen-Z for Change, they just might unseat Ron DeSantis for embracing “hate in his decision making.”

I think Pauline Green, executive director for the Alliance for GLBTQ is on to something when she says, “there’s been a growing righteous anger and community connection that has built up the power in young people to feel connected with each other, the larger LGBTQ+ community and advocates locally and nationally,”

            I heard something similar last night when I tuned into a Zoom event to learn more about the Voter Movement Project (VMP). They raise $$ to fund grassroots organizations who are getting out the vote in battleground states. I’ll bet that JG is acquainted with one of their recipients, QLatinx, “a grassroots racial, social, & gender justice organization dedicated to the advancement & empowerment of Central Florida's LGBTQ+ Latinx community, founded in response to the mass shooting & act of hate that occurred on June 12, 2016, at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.” VMP operates on the premise that $$ is better spent paying young folks to register their friends than investing in ad campaigns. You might give this strategy some thought.

            I hope the LGBTQ+ folks all around the world heard your words of encouragement to “Just be you,” & your assertions, “you are loved” & “we’ve got your back.” The LGBTQ+ individuals arrested in Myanmar for protesting are facing particularly harsh treatment in prison, so I hope you will keep advocating that the International Committee for the Red Cross get a chance to visit them.

            Be well,