The only real legislation the Chaos Party want to pass is to destroy democracy or any substance of democracy and live happily ever after in a State of Feudalism. (with them near the top toadying to the ruling oligarchy.
My trivia trap mind has been sent to work. Two cases of Southern California HS teams. One forfeiting against another girls volleyball team with a lesbian player another case involving harassment of a girls track team with a trans member. A similar case in Vermont involving a high school girls basketball team.
The El Cajon Christian HS and the Vermont case involve religious backed schools that made objections.
The California Girls HS State Championship track meet (LA Times) regards two different girls from two different schools and areas that were harassed at the regional then statewide meets.
The CIF regulates high school sports in California. The following is from the LA Times article:
“The Times spoke to five local coaches of runners who were either slated to compete in Friday’s girls’ 1,600-meter heats, competed in last Saturday’s Masters against Barrett, or both. When asked for their views, three said they simply coached athletes to compete against anyone in the field regardless of identity, while two expressed belief that transgender girls should be placed in their own separate heat for competition.”
“”Adults have created this problem,” said Oaks Christian coach Wesley Smith. “Adults need to fix this problem.””
“The CIF protects transgender participation in sports in its bylaws, as its Guidelines for Gender Identity Participation read: “All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records.””
“Students or parents must contact individual schools to indicate students have a “consistent gender identity different than the gender listed on the student’s school registration records” in order to change participation in a sport by gender, according to the bylaws.”
This is a very complex issue for a variety of reasons, way beyond the subject of Georgia’s post, but the point being the GQP Chaos members in the House are adding poorly written, half baked, poison pill amendments to either sneak thing’s through or purposely have legislation killed to further obstruction, grind government to a halt, and destroy government. They are intent on using a sledgehammer whenever possible.
As a retired high school science teacher I have worked with many teens in the LGBTQ+ community. What I know is that many kids are aware from an early age of their sexual identity and they are seeking a life that is congruent with that identity. It isn't a passing phase, and it is not a choice, and it does not pose a threat. The threats come from the predators of all persuasions who want to exert power over others.
As a Christian who believes that each person is made in God's image and of equal intrinsic worth they should be accepted and valued. Our culture is rife with labeling and finding and forcing distinctions. Other cultures are more accepting and understanding of the breadth of human experience.
Apt title to your newsletter Georgia. OMG, what is the point of all of these amendments except to show how cruel (as you said) and ignorant they are. This is what you would expect from Gym Jordan and MTG--sophomoric BS.
The amendment that blocks use of federal funds to support biological males who want to compete in women's sports is red meat to the base, many of whom are terrified for their daughters and our society. What I wasn't to know is just how often this really happens compared to all the school sports programs what this doesn't happen, and how those schools might be dealing with this issue. Just how big of an issue is this really? Had anyone reviewed the reports and conducted fact checks? Is this a case of a handful of cases being blown out of proportion? I want actual data. (Not that reality will I finge on the Chaos Caucus' worldview...)
(P.S., I actually tried to look this up and failed, so the data don't exist, are made up, or my skills set isn't this. )
When my daughter was in her early teens, she and 5 other young ladies were sexually abused by their piano teacher. One of the young ladies had been abused by him for over 3 years before she finally reported the assaults to her parents who reported it to the authorities.
He was tried and convicted to 28+ years and ended up serving 9 before being released by the State of Maine.
Fast forward 3 summers later. My daughter and I were in Walmart in a small city in Nebraska when she needed to use the restroom. I waited where I could see if anyone went into the restroom. A mother, her daughter and her son came up to the bathroom and the mother and son (who was around 16 years old went into the ladies restroom where my daughter was. I immediately called the manager to remove the young man. The manager obliged and my daughter came out a minute or so later. The mother of the boy asked who turned them in to the manager and I replied that I had. She was taken aback that anyone would be upset with that situation. She explained that he was autistic and could not go by himself. I asked her why she didn't use the men's room instead of the women's. She replied that she always did it this way and nobody ever minded. I suggested she use the men's room or else wait until the ladies' room was clear and post her daughter at the door of the ladies' room to explain there was a man in the ladies' room.
As a parent, my number one job is to protect my kids. I felt she was out of line for her actions.
I know that I am an entitled white man, but I would do the same thing again in a similar situation.
I am so sorry your daughter had to go through this and I see where you are coming from. and the source of your concern. We all want to protect our children and there are predators out there. I think both you and the mother of the autistic boy both had heightened sensitivities for your children's safety. The autistic boy also was vulnerable and needed protection but that may not have been obvious. I think I would have addressed the mother directly as she was going into the bathroom with her son. Saying something like "Excuse me. Can you wait a moment until my daughter is done?" That might have avoided bringing the manager into the situation. I spent 14 years as a teacher working with many kids with learning disabilities. Kids who are on the autism spectrum can be challenging and exhausting if you are a caregiver,. Sometimes just having a hook available for your purse or backpack if you are the care giver can make the difference between an easy care situation or a difficult one.
I agree that might have de-escalated the situation.
I have two grand-nephews who are on the spectrum. They are identical twins and they are definitely at different places on the spectrum. They just turned 7 recently. One of them was reading chapter books before he was two and has been doing Calculus since he was five. He is now reading chapter books--in Spanish. He taught himself Spanish. But yet, his communication and hygiene skills are practically non-existent. His brother's symptoms are not as severe but noticeable on observation.
I was unaware the boy was autistic when his mother took him into the bathroom or I likely would have handled the situation differently--or not. Hard to say in hindsight.
I was sure it was the case. that you were unaware. But it sounds like what happened has stayed with you, probably because you were so fearful for your daughter and now seeing your grand nephews you have a deeper appreciation of what caregiving to kids on the spectrum is like. Feel the feelings, let them go, and turn the energy to the good. Work for an autism charity or with a group that counsels rape survivors if you don't already. Sometimes when old feelings are triggered they serve to set us on a new path.
For instance there was a case of a father creating a commotion because his daughter was restored by a guy wearing a dress in the girl's bathroom. The rape did happen and the boy hit transferred to another school instead of being prosecuted, and the school was liable, but he never presented as trans and was just playing with the dress code. The girl he raped was a girlfriend who willingly entered the stall with him, but it turned into rape when she refused to go beyond 1st or 2nd base. So it was not a trans issue that was hyped by the right wing, but a raoe case and a failure of school staff to take action when they had a chance, and then covering it up. How many other cases are there?
Nov 16, 2023·edited Nov 16, 2023Liked by Georgia Fisanick
I have read about only 1 or 2 cases of Trans athlete wanting to play high school sports, . A fairly recent ( April 21, 2023) Newsweek article estimates less than 100 at all levels in the USA
Again, thank you Georgia for such dedication. I’ve just about reached my limit for today and must refresh myself. But I agree that we must be vigilant.
“Republicans to grow some spine, cross the aisle, and neuter the chaos caucus’ power.” As someone that went to a large university with a large and well regarded College of Agriculture, I heard from friends in those majors of more than the usual ways to neuter all types of animals. My mind started to wander.........
The only real legislation the Chaos Party want to pass is to destroy democracy or any substance of democracy and live happily ever after in a State of Feudalism. (with them near the top toadying to the ruling oligarchy.
My trivia trap mind has been sent to work. Two cases of Southern California HS teams. One forfeiting against another girls volleyball team with a lesbian player another case involving harassment of a girls track team with a trans member. A similar case in Vermont involving a high school girls basketball team.
https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2023/09/13/did-el-cajons-christian-hs-forfeit-match-over-gay-girl-volleyball-player-at-helix/
https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2023-05-26/cif-state-transgender-athletes-withdrawing-track-championships
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/01/sport/vermont-basketball-transgender-athlete-spt-intl/index.html
The El Cajon Christian HS and the Vermont case involve religious backed schools that made objections.
The California Girls HS State Championship track meet (LA Times) regards two different girls from two different schools and areas that were harassed at the regional then statewide meets.
The CIF regulates high school sports in California. The following is from the LA Times article:
“The Times spoke to five local coaches of runners who were either slated to compete in Friday’s girls’ 1,600-meter heats, competed in last Saturday’s Masters against Barrett, or both. When asked for their views, three said they simply coached athletes to compete against anyone in the field regardless of identity, while two expressed belief that transgender girls should be placed in their own separate heat for competition.”
“”Adults have created this problem,” said Oaks Christian coach Wesley Smith. “Adults need to fix this problem.””
“The CIF protects transgender participation in sports in its bylaws, as its Guidelines for Gender Identity Participation read: “All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records.””
“Students or parents must contact individual schools to indicate students have a “consistent gender identity different than the gender listed on the student’s school registration records” in order to change participation in a sport by gender, according to the bylaws.”
This is a very complex issue for a variety of reasons, way beyond the subject of Georgia’s post, but the point being the GQP Chaos members in the House are adding poorly written, half baked, poison pill amendments to either sneak thing’s through or purposely have legislation killed to further obstruction, grind government to a halt, and destroy government. They are intent on using a sledgehammer whenever possible.
As a retired high school science teacher I have worked with many teens in the LGBTQ+ community. What I know is that many kids are aware from an early age of their sexual identity and they are seeking a life that is congruent with that identity. It isn't a passing phase, and it is not a choice, and it does not pose a threat. The threats come from the predators of all persuasions who want to exert power over others.
As a Christian who believes that each person is made in God's image and of equal intrinsic worth they should be accepted and valued. Our culture is rife with labeling and finding and forcing distinctions. Other cultures are more accepting and understanding of the breadth of human experience.
Apt title to your newsletter Georgia. OMG, what is the point of all of these amendments except to show how cruel (as you said) and ignorant they are. This is what you would expect from Gym Jordan and MTG--sophomoric BS.
The amendment that blocks use of federal funds to support biological males who want to compete in women's sports is red meat to the base, many of whom are terrified for their daughters and our society. What I wasn't to know is just how often this really happens compared to all the school sports programs what this doesn't happen, and how those schools might be dealing with this issue. Just how big of an issue is this really? Had anyone reviewed the reports and conducted fact checks? Is this a case of a handful of cases being blown out of proportion? I want actual data. (Not that reality will I finge on the Chaos Caucus' worldview...)
(P.S., I actually tried to look this up and failed, so the data don't exist, are made up, or my skills set isn't this. )
When my daughter was in her early teens, she and 5 other young ladies were sexually abused by their piano teacher. One of the young ladies had been abused by him for over 3 years before she finally reported the assaults to her parents who reported it to the authorities.
He was tried and convicted to 28+ years and ended up serving 9 before being released by the State of Maine.
Fast forward 3 summers later. My daughter and I were in Walmart in a small city in Nebraska when she needed to use the restroom. I waited where I could see if anyone went into the restroom. A mother, her daughter and her son came up to the bathroom and the mother and son (who was around 16 years old went into the ladies restroom where my daughter was. I immediately called the manager to remove the young man. The manager obliged and my daughter came out a minute or so later. The mother of the boy asked who turned them in to the manager and I replied that I had. She was taken aback that anyone would be upset with that situation. She explained that he was autistic and could not go by himself. I asked her why she didn't use the men's room instead of the women's. She replied that she always did it this way and nobody ever minded. I suggested she use the men's room or else wait until the ladies' room was clear and post her daughter at the door of the ladies' room to explain there was a man in the ladies' room.
As a parent, my number one job is to protect my kids. I felt she was out of line for her actions.
I know that I am an entitled white man, but I would do the same thing again in a similar situation.
I am so sorry your daughter had to go through this and I see where you are coming from. and the source of your concern. We all want to protect our children and there are predators out there. I think both you and the mother of the autistic boy both had heightened sensitivities for your children's safety. The autistic boy also was vulnerable and needed protection but that may not have been obvious. I think I would have addressed the mother directly as she was going into the bathroom with her son. Saying something like "Excuse me. Can you wait a moment until my daughter is done?" That might have avoided bringing the manager into the situation. I spent 14 years as a teacher working with many kids with learning disabilities. Kids who are on the autism spectrum can be challenging and exhausting if you are a caregiver,. Sometimes just having a hook available for your purse or backpack if you are the care giver can make the difference between an easy care situation or a difficult one.
I agree that might have de-escalated the situation.
I have two grand-nephews who are on the spectrum. They are identical twins and they are definitely at different places on the spectrum. They just turned 7 recently. One of them was reading chapter books before he was two and has been doing Calculus since he was five. He is now reading chapter books--in Spanish. He taught himself Spanish. But yet, his communication and hygiene skills are practically non-existent. His brother's symptoms are not as severe but noticeable on observation.
I was unaware the boy was autistic when his mother took him into the bathroom or I likely would have handled the situation differently--or not. Hard to say in hindsight.
I was sure it was the case. that you were unaware. But it sounds like what happened has stayed with you, probably because you were so fearful for your daughter and now seeing your grand nephews you have a deeper appreciation of what caregiving to kids on the spectrum is like. Feel the feelings, let them go, and turn the energy to the good. Work for an autism charity or with a group that counsels rape survivors if you don't already. Sometimes when old feelings are triggered they serve to set us on a new path.
It's how I decided to start this substack.
less tha 1 or 2 in any state
Is that reported or actual?
For instance there was a case of a father creating a commotion because his daughter was restored by a guy wearing a dress in the girl's bathroom. The rape did happen and the boy hit transferred to another school instead of being prosecuted, and the school was liable, but he never presented as trans and was just playing with the dress code. The girl he raped was a girlfriend who willingly entered the stall with him, but it turned into rape when she refused to go beyond 1st or 2nd base. So it was not a trans issue that was hyped by the right wing, but a raoe case and a failure of school staff to take action when they had a chance, and then covering it up. How many other cases are there?
I have read about only 1 or 2 cases of Trans athlete wanting to play high school sports, . A fairly recent ( April 21, 2023) Newsweek article estimates less than 100 at all levels in the USA
Again, thank you Georgia for such dedication. I’ve just about reached my limit for today and must refresh myself. But I agree that we must be vigilant.
“Republicans to grow some spine, cross the aisle, and neuter the chaos caucus’ power.” As someone that went to a large university with a large and well regarded College of Agriculture, I heard from friends in those majors of more than the usual ways to neuter all types of animals. My mind started to wander.........