Shmuela Etz
@shmuela-etz.bsky.social
Be you, authentically. | Jewish & proud ✡️ | Youth Development Specialist | LGBTQ+ 🏳️🌈 | Disabled ♿ | Advocate for inclusion, belonging & disability justice | Book lover 📖 | Tikkun olam in action 🌱 | Coffee-fueled ☕ | Views my own
This. It is unbelievably exhausting. And, it is a dramatically different approach to fight to survive in this world.
I'm convinced that--like the possibility of Two States for Two Peoples in Israel/Palestine--that it's too late to recover American liberal democracy generationally (the courts + the Senate mostly, + of course gerrymandering and the electoral college). 🧵
February 15, 2025 at 1:33 AM
This. It is unbelievably exhausting. And, it is a dramatically different approach to fight to survive in this world.
MO House: Emerging Issues Committee Feb 3-4, 2025
Testimony 1: "Just Like Me - No, like REALLY"
Testimony 2: "All Youth Deserve and NEED to Belong"
But there's my very real, state-record evidence.
Mushy-heart not-pictured.
Testimony 1: "Just Like Me - No, like REALLY"
Testimony 2: "All Youth Deserve and NEED to Belong"
But there's my very real, state-record evidence.
Mushy-heart not-pictured.
February 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM
MO House: Emerging Issues Committee Feb 3-4, 2025
Testimony 1: "Just Like Me - No, like REALLY"
Testimony 2: "All Youth Deserve and NEED to Belong"
But there's my very real, state-record evidence.
Mushy-heart not-pictured.
Testimony 1: "Just Like Me - No, like REALLY"
Testimony 2: "All Youth Deserve and NEED to Belong"
But there's my very real, state-record evidence.
Mushy-heart not-pictured.
Got home about 3a after a long night of testimonies. Laying here reeling with all the “should I have said X instead”. I am not sure votes are changed. Sometimes I don’t think we were heard. Still we spent 8+ hrs pleading with stories, stats, & witnessing each other.
#ProtectTransKids #moleg
#ProtectTransKids #moleg
February 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Got home about 3a after a long night of testimonies. Laying here reeling with all the “should I have said X instead”. I am not sure votes are changed. Sometimes I don’t think we were heard. Still we spent 8+ hrs pleading with stories, stats, & witnessing each other.
#ProtectTransKids #moleg
#ProtectTransKids #moleg
Andddd - we now are left with only opposition...
February 4, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Andddd - we now are left with only opposition...
When everyone else is adjourned, but here we are - still advocating for #ProtectTransKids
February 4, 2025 at 5:18 AM
When everyone else is adjourned, but here we are - still advocating for #ProtectTransKids
It is really cringe....
These Republican men preaching about "protecting our daughters!" are so pervy and gross, and stand in such contrast to the actual women legislators (Democrats). #ProtectTransKids
February 4, 2025 at 4:47 AM
It is really cringe....
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
These Republicans are truly doubling down on the danger of trans-women hurting cis-women by hitting volleyballs too hard. Tripling down. This is *wiiiiiillllllld*.
February 4, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
These Republicans are truly doubling down on the danger of trans-women hurting cis-women by hitting volleyballs too hard. Tripling down. This is *wiiiiiillllllld*.
February 4, 2025 at 4:35 AM
These Republicans are truly doubling down on the danger of trans-women hurting cis-women by hitting volleyballs too hard. Tripling down. This is *wiiiiiillllllld*.
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
Our bill sponsor: "how would you feel if a pretend-woman was playing volleyball with real women, and hit the ball so hard that he killed a woman with the ball?" ----really, these are the most powerful people in our State. LOUD laughter in the galley. #ProtectTransKids #FromGOPIdiots
February 4, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Our bill sponsor: "how would you feel if a pretend-woman was playing volleyball with real women, and hit the ball so hard that he killed a woman with the ball?" ----really, these are the most powerful people in our State. LOUD laughter in the galley. #ProtectTransKids #FromGOPIdiots
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
We're 6h into anti-trans hearings in the Missouri Legislature, and we're about to start hearing only our **2nd** bill (sports ban). Actually, "bills", because we now have 3 identical bills by three different bigoted sponsors, who each want their bigoted names associated with the bill. (New Thread) 🧵
February 4, 2025 at 4:14 AM
We're 6h into anti-trans hearings in the Missouri Legislature, and we're about to start hearing only our **2nd** bill (sports ban). Actually, "bills", because we now have 3 identical bills by three different bigoted sponsors, who each want their bigoted names associated with the bill. (New Thread) 🧵
"Gentlemen, love how you all want to talk about women's rights." - Rep. Weber (D); Ranking Minority Member
February 4, 2025 at 4:16 AM
"Gentlemen, love how you all want to talk about women's rights." - Rep. Weber (D); Ranking Minority Member
A more robust rendering of the testify.
Rep Thomas: "I don't see anything in this book (the Bible) condemning trans people." Bigot testifier: "well, we're all condemned!" Rep Thomas: "well...cheers?"
February 4, 2025 at 4:12 AM
A more robust rendering of the testify.
February 4, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Still going.....and still on the first four bills.....all opposition at this point.....
Ok--here we go. Members are filing in and we're about to get started on 5+ hours of bigoted, hateful anti-trans hearings designed to harm some of the most vulnerable kids in Missouri. 🧵 #ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
February 4, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Still going.....and still on the first four bills.....all opposition at this point.....
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
..."I know my job as a Dad, to support my kids, to love them, & to help them become fully realized versions of themselves. I don't need a State Legislature to step into my kids' doctor's office. I see this as a direct affront to my rights as a parent, and an imposition on my family's freedoms." 🔥
February 4, 2025 at 3:40 AM
..."I know my job as a Dad, to support my kids, to love them, & to help them become fully realized versions of themselves. I don't need a State Legislature to step into my kids' doctor's office. I see this as a direct affront to my rights as a parent, and an imposition on my family's freedoms." 🔥
Took a break and missed about a dozen incredible, powerful testimonies in a row opposed to these bigoted bills hurting trans kids. We're 5h in to testimony, and we haven't even gotten past the first bills because so many folks showed up to #ProtectTransKids
February 4, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Wowza, I did it. I actually testified to the "big, scary" legislatures in opposition to these anti-trans bills, specifically the four that are making permanent bans on gender-affirming care. We'll see if we get to the sports-ban before midnight....
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
February 4, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Wowza, I did it. I actually testified to the "big, scary" legislatures in opposition to these anti-trans bills, specifically the four that are making permanent bans on gender-affirming care. We'll see if we get to the sports-ban before midnight....
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
Those of you at home following along may be thinking, "wait, Rabbi, hasn't this testimony been going on for 4 hours now?"
Yes, in fact it has. And we're still only on the first bill. We have **three more bills to hear after this*** before anti-trans day of hate is over in Missouri.
Yes, in fact it has. And we're still only on the first bill. We have **three more bills to hear after this*** before anti-trans day of hate is over in Missouri.
February 4, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Those of you at home following along may be thinking, "wait, Rabbi, hasn't this testimony been going on for 4 hours now?"
Yes, in fact it has. And we're still only on the first bill. We have **three more bills to hear after this*** before anti-trans day of hate is over in Missouri.
Yes, in fact it has. And we're still only on the first bill. We have **three more bills to hear after this*** before anti-trans day of hate is over in Missouri.
Reposted by Shmuela Etz
"I'm Nancy Pollack, and I'm a 78 year old grandma, and what I've learned is that everyone deserves love. I know many LGBTQ couples; I know trans kids; I have learned to use their pronouns. What matters isn't if someone is trans, but how kind they are, and how loving they are."
February 4, 2025 at 2:20 AM
"I'm Nancy Pollack, and I'm a 78 year old grandma, and what I've learned is that everyone deserves love. I know many LGBTQ couples; I know trans kids; I have learned to use their pronouns. What matters isn't if someone is trans, but how kind they are, and how loving they are."
NANCY for the win!!!! So grateful for the support of older adults too! #ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
February 4, 2025 at 2:18 AM
NANCY for the win!!!! So grateful for the support of older adults too! #ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
February 4, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Oh friends....we've got to do better.....
Here comes an incredible HSer from my congregation, Charlie, who has been here to testify 4x. "Hi, I am here. And I am scared: of you. I am terrified: of you." Charlie is in tears as he talks of how hated he feels by classmates, peers, and our government.
February 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Oh friends....we've got to do better.....
Kids shouldn't have to beg for healthcare and for their friends' lives to be saved. #ProtectTransKids #MOleg
February 4, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Kids shouldn't have to beg for healthcare and for their friends' lives to be saved. #ProtectTransKids #MOleg
About every three minutes, my watch keeps telling me I have a high heart rate over 120....wonder why!?
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
February 4, 2025 at 2:04 AM
About every three minutes, my watch keeps telling me I have a high heart rate over 120....wonder why!?
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg
Next up a Father who cares for TransKids!
February 4, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Next up a Father who cares for TransKids!