Hi! I'm Madeline i recently wrote an appeal to get the lgbtq+ panic defense banned What's the lgbtq+ panic defense? “The LGBTQ+ panic defense strategy (also called the ‘gay panic defense’ or ‘trans panic defense’) is a legal strategy that asks a jury to find that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is to blame for a defendant’s violent reaction, including murder. It is not a free-standing defense to criminal liability, but rather a legal tactic used to bolster other defenses. When a perpetrator uses an LGBTQ+ panic defense, they are claiming that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity not only explains — but excuses — a loss of self-control and the subsequent assault. By fully or partially acquitting the perpetrators of crimes against LGBTQ+ victims, this defense implies that LGBTQ+ lives are worth less than others.”So i assume you're pretty horrified something like this exists, well you can do something abt it. You could sign my petition!

As of July 4th over 132,000 people in the US have lost their lives to COVID-19. Despite being six months into the pandemic, there are still many unanswered questions. However, what we do know for sure is that masking up is an effective way to prevent the spread of this virus. Wearing a mask prevents people with COVID-19 from spreading it to others. This is a crucial line of defense when combatting a virus that can be spread even if a person doesn't have symptoms. Governor Abbott knows these facts and agrees that we must all wear masks in public to keep Texas open. Governor Abbott states that he does not want to suppress Texas voters who may not have a mask. By not extending the mask order to polling locations he will, unintentionally, suppress voters who are, appropriately, fearful of contracting COVID-19. As an emergency room pediatrician I am gravely concerned that we will see increased cases related to this election. As a state we have all sacrificed so much, we cannot allow our elections to further fan the flames of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please, tell Governor Abbott to include election polling locations in the statewide mask mandate.

If true, Donald Trump is complicit in the murder of member of the US Armed Forces. He must be made to testify on oath as to the counterintelligence he received that led him to believe the reports of the bounties are untrue. He must defend his position, or be held accountable for their deaths.

Because on a daily basis we are witnessing our country under attack by an enemy who is our president.

Recently, a variety of concerning issues have come to light that are directly associated with social organizations in AU Greek Life. Accusations of sexual assault and the lack of inclusivity associated with Greek Life, among a variety of other incidents, have taken a toll on our student body, so we think AU would be a better place without them. If AU claims to be the inclusive, diverse, and just place it brands itself as, it will stand with us in taking this crucial step.

Imagine a scenario in which a domestic dispute occurred between you and a partner. Which professional would you feel more comfortable speaking with? Which professional do you feel would be more capable of providing you resources for next steps? An armed officer? Or a plains clothed, unarmed social worker? Sign this petition to enact social workers into non violent roles in the community. A calming, unarmed presence, aimed to reduce escalation can decrease brutality between police and citizens, and in addition, can save lives.

This is important because education is the foundation of society. If we're going to make real change in fighting racism, it needs to start in our public schools. This is important for all children, no matter their race. Children are open to learning from their beloved teachers. It's not enough for teachers not to be racist, they need to be anti-racist. They need to give in-depth lessons about America's shameful history and how systemic racism has lead to the current violence against black people we see today. Moreover, it's crucial that children see themselves in their teachers. More black and brown people need to be hired in Framingham schools to represent our diverse community but also to allow children to interact with a wide-range of backgrounds and experiences that those educators bring with them.

This is vitally important to the survival of our democracy. Four more years of a Trump administration will further erode the basic principles of our society and endorse the authoritarian character of his governing style.

The Town attempted to fly the Gay Pride Flag and DCR removed the flag and will not allow the Town of Nahant to fly the Gay Pride Flag during the month of June.

Our current flag is a painful reminder of a sordid past. We need to remove this symbol from our state and replace it with a flag that unifies our people and represents all of us.

Art critics can serve as reproducers of racist ideology or as agents of change. As Ibram X. Kendi's work suggests, there can be no such thing as a nonracist art critic. There are only racist art critics or anti-racist art critics. Some of AICA-USA's membership has deployed racist, hateful speech masquerading as a legitimate debate about the role of race in the discipline. AICA-USA must stop using its infrastructure to give voice to this thinly veiled white supremacist hate speech. It is time for AICA-USA to reimagine itself as an agent for equality, equity, and anti-racist change.

If we can afford 5 trillion dollars for the wealthiest thousand citizens and endless wars, we can afford college for lower to lower middle income families as an investment in our collective future. All of the things are and more are possible........Let’s do them!!!