Shmuela Etz

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.

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

Andddd - we now are left with only opposition...

When everyone else is adjourned, but here we are - still advocating for #ProtectTransKids

It is really cringe....

#WhatIfTheLadyDies

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*.

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

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

A more robust rendering of the testify.

Bigoted Jesus-Speaker: "We're all condemned."
Rep Thomas: "Well, cheers!"
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg

Still going.....and still on the first four bills.....all opposition at this point.....

..."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." 🔥

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

This was by far the worst 5-7 minutes and then some. It was so hurtful to have someone part of the LGBTQ community completely disregarding the trans community as "homophobic." It hurt deeply.

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.

"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

"Trans issues are veteran's issues." - Rep ???
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg

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

About every three minutes, my watch keeps telling me I have a high heart rate over 120....wonder why!?
#ProtectTransKids #MOLeg

Next up a Father who cares for TransKids!

Dad of a trans kid: "Transgender people are *real*. Please, I'm beginning you, follow best medical advice and let our kids be themselves in their bodies!". Chair: "Anyone in favor of this bill? Anyone???" #Crickets #ProtectTransKids

PLEASE submit your testimony opposing these egregious bills. As soon as you submit your testimony, please don't forget to verify your email. Your testimony WILL NOT be submitted if you skip this step. You can submit testimony until 11:59 pm today (Mon 2/3/25). witness.house.mo.gov/Default.aspx...

THERE ARE NO MORE PEOPLE IN FAVOR OF THESE BIGOTED BILLS!!! This means that from here on out it'll be nothing but trans folk / allies / experts here to support trans kids and protect their rights. It's 7:25pm, and we're going to have dozens and dozens more people testifying in support of trans kids.

This is 2.5h in and I'm wondering where these anti-trans bill sponsors are?