AWWWWWESOME. Thank you dear friend for chronicling this day. You nailed it. And thank you also for helping to make my stay in DC so fun and hassle-free. Please come to SF so I can return the favor.
Thanks for your account of the day. From what I've read about the proceedings, it sounds like the court is leaning toward a good outcome. I hate that so many of my fellow Democrats have made this a partisan issue!
Thanks Poppy! Same. It’s about fairness, dignity, women’s rights. All women. Lots of Democrats were there. We do expect a good ruling, tho probably not as landmark as we’d like.
Thank you so, so much for this exhilarating, life-affirming report and photos. One of many things I admire about you so much is this: “Since I was in listening-not-arguing mode, I did not propose that trans-identified men would be less likely to be vilified if they would stop invading women’s sports and spaces.” Another, of course, is how brilliantly you show TEAMWORK in action. And I love your story-telling prowess in threading through the adventures of your pink hat. 👏❤️🔥👏🔥❤️👏
BIG SMILE. Susan, thanks so much for appreciating who I am as a writer, feminist, storyteller, person. Also, you were there in spirit. You're the best. :-)
The whole issue is being framed incorrectly by the media and activists. This is not about banning trans people from sports. It’s about figuring out what category trans people should play in: their biological sex or their chosen gender. But that doesn’t make good clickbait headlines. That said, everything this administration and court does is with bad motives and evil intent.
Yes and a little more nuance: girls already play with girls. That’s true for almost every girl regardless of what she says about her gender identity. Because girls cannot compete with boys. We know it and we accept it and it would be futile for us to join most male teams in most sports. So the only people involved are boys. You’re right that in this case, because boys brought the lawsuits, the question is framed to the court as should states be allowed to exclude them from girls sports? But from the female point of view, the question is, should we be forced to accept boys on our teams and in our locker rooms? That’s the real story that most of the media is refusing to report - not for clickbait reasons, I don’t think, but for political and financial reasons. But the Washington Post editorial board came around to our side a few days ago, which is huge. The tide is turning.
Thanks for the report on your rally experience, Mariah! It was probably more worthwhile than being inside the courtroom, where they let us in after the hearing had already begun, and I was all the way in the back. It was hard to hear everything they were saying, or even see much of their facial expressions. Afterwards, I left the rally to find a spot to work nearby, and anyway, I couldn't really take the dueling megaphones. By the way, I think I may have been hanging out in the same café as that hockey player. That pink coat and hat definitely stood out. Was he wearing thigh-high white leather boots? Instantly clockable. I feel for the women on his team.
Kara Dansky said that she won the lottery, too, but she wasn't able to use her ticket because she was worried about being late for her rally appearance. Which she would have been, given that we weren't let into the courtroom until noon.
Yes, same guy, same pink coat, same boots. So good to see you that day, and while I'm sorry you couldn't hear very well, I appreciate your making me feel better about missing out. :-)
Thank you for this informative piece and I enjoyed the pics. However, I must say that the notion of a 3-month-old outfitted with a bullet-proof vest really stopped me. Honestly, I can't stop thinking about it and all it says about where we are as a country. That picture also stands in bleak contrast to the image of you having a civil exchange with someone on the other side of the issue (or any issue of the day for that matter).
Yes, Judy, that's what struck me too about Mariah's piece...that Riley Gaines feels she has to put her 3-year-old in a bullet proof vest because of all this trans mob madness, and because Riley has been stalked and trapped by them.
Yes - that they even make bullet-proof vests for three-month-olds is quite a story in itself, isn't it? I doubt if the child was at the rally, but Riley, the mom, had to travel on planes, etc. to get to DC, is a recognizable celebrity now, and has already been physically assaulted by an angry "transwomen are women!" mob that chased her and in effect held her hostage for hours behind barricaded doors on a college campus. Scary, crazy times. Glad to provide the counter-narrative, too, involving a civil dialogue.
Thank you for this write-up of your experience, Mariah—including the exchange with your line-neighbor. I intend to read that part to my spouse, in my continuing efforts to help him catch up to me (in terms of awareness about the extent and nature of the problem).
It was an honor getting to meet you and thank you at the after-rally event!
(I’m the one who told you I love sharing your piece covering Cori’s flipping-the-script-on-inclusion message, which you called “a beautiful invitation.” You’ll be glad to hear I did it again just yesterday, in feedback I submitted to Tangle News editors.)
Hi RJ, Great to meet you, too. I love hearing that my ideas are spreading organically because they resonate and people take the time to share, discuss, etc. Thank you! And yes, wouldn't it be beautiful if mainstream, popular, "regular" boys, for lack of a better word, would invite the gender non-conforming boys to play sports with them. Inclusion needs to change sides.
Wow. EntitleMENt. On the nose indeed. Not behavior I observed in line - but he was surrounded by strong women- and it is a distinctive look, so I don’t doubt that you were able to recognize the same guy.
Brilliant!
😀
AWWWWWESOME. Thank you dear friend for chronicling this day. You nailed it. And thank you also for helping to make my stay in DC so fun and hassle-free. Please come to SF so I can return the favor.
Wonderful to see you and all our friends. Happy to provide some onsite support for your good work!
That "transgenderism" gender-enforcement lobby flag saying "The Satanic Circle" is certainly telling. I thought it was one of ours.
Thanks for your account of the day. From what I've read about the proceedings, it sounds like the court is leaning toward a good outcome. I hate that so many of my fellow Democrats have made this a partisan issue!
Thanks Poppy! Same. It’s about fairness, dignity, women’s rights. All women. Lots of Democrats were there. We do expect a good ruling, tho probably not as landmark as we’d like.
Thank you so, so much for this exhilarating, life-affirming report and photos. One of many things I admire about you so much is this: “Since I was in listening-not-arguing mode, I did not propose that trans-identified men would be less likely to be vilified if they would stop invading women’s sports and spaces.” Another, of course, is how brilliantly you show TEAMWORK in action. And I love your story-telling prowess in threading through the adventures of your pink hat. 👏❤️🔥👏🔥❤️👏
Well said and amen.
BIG SMILE. Susan, thanks so much for appreciating who I am as a writer, feminist, storyteller, person. Also, you were there in spirit. You're the best. :-)
Thanks for sharing! :)
The whole issue is being framed incorrectly by the media and activists. This is not about banning trans people from sports. It’s about figuring out what category trans people should play in: their biological sex or their chosen gender. But that doesn’t make good clickbait headlines. That said, everything this administration and court does is with bad motives and evil intent.
Yes and a little more nuance: girls already play with girls. That’s true for almost every girl regardless of what she says about her gender identity. Because girls cannot compete with boys. We know it and we accept it and it would be futile for us to join most male teams in most sports. So the only people involved are boys. You’re right that in this case, because boys brought the lawsuits, the question is framed to the court as should states be allowed to exclude them from girls sports? But from the female point of view, the question is, should we be forced to accept boys on our teams and in our locker rooms? That’s the real story that most of the media is refusing to report - not for clickbait reasons, I don’t think, but for political and financial reasons. But the Washington Post editorial board came around to our side a few days ago, which is huge. The tide is turning.
They always frame it as "but it's about so few boys!"
And I always reply, "It's about EVERY girl."
Love it.
Thanks for the report on your rally experience, Mariah! It was probably more worthwhile than being inside the courtroom, where they let us in after the hearing had already begun, and I was all the way in the back. It was hard to hear everything they were saying, or even see much of their facial expressions. Afterwards, I left the rally to find a spot to work nearby, and anyway, I couldn't really take the dueling megaphones. By the way, I think I may have been hanging out in the same café as that hockey player. That pink coat and hat definitely stood out. Was he wearing thigh-high white leather boots? Instantly clockable. I feel for the women on his team.
How did you get into the court? Were you covering it? For who?
Kate won the lottery 🏆
Kara Dansky said that she won the lottery, too, but she wasn't able to use her ticket because she was worried about being late for her rally appearance. Which she would have been, given that we weren't let into the courtroom until noon.
Yes, same guy, same pink coat, same boots. So good to see you that day, and while I'm sorry you couldn't hear very well, I appreciate your making me feel better about missing out. :-)
Yes, it was nice to see you, and I wish we had had more time to chat during the dinner!
Same!
It was a pleasure to meet you at the dinner. Thanks for all you do.
Yes, so nice to meet you too, Tiger! Same back at ya. It takes a team. :-)
Thank you for this informative piece and I enjoyed the pics. However, I must say that the notion of a 3-month-old outfitted with a bullet-proof vest really stopped me. Honestly, I can't stop thinking about it and all it says about where we are as a country. That picture also stands in bleak contrast to the image of you having a civil exchange with someone on the other side of the issue (or any issue of the day for that matter).
Yes, Judy, that's what struck me too about Mariah's piece...that Riley Gaines feels she has to put her 3-year-old in a bullet proof vest because of all this trans mob madness, and because Riley has been stalked and trapped by them.
Yes - that they even make bullet-proof vests for three-month-olds is quite a story in itself, isn't it? I doubt if the child was at the rally, but Riley, the mom, had to travel on planes, etc. to get to DC, is a recognizable celebrity now, and has already been physically assaulted by an angry "transwomen are women!" mob that chased her and in effect held her hostage for hours behind barricaded doors on a college campus. Scary, crazy times. Glad to provide the counter-narrative, too, involving a civil dialogue.
Wonderful! So inspiring to see the turnout for the side of women, girls, reality. And the signs on the other side ... oh dear 😂
:-) Thanks, Jocelyn! Glad you enjoyed the story.
Thank you for this write-up of your experience, Mariah—including the exchange with your line-neighbor. I intend to read that part to my spouse, in my continuing efforts to help him catch up to me (in terms of awareness about the extent and nature of the problem).
It was an honor getting to meet you and thank you at the after-rally event!
(I’m the one who told you I love sharing your piece covering Cori’s flipping-the-script-on-inclusion message, which you called “a beautiful invitation.” You’ll be glad to hear I did it again just yesterday, in feedback I submitted to Tangle News editors.)
Hi RJ, Great to meet you, too. I love hearing that my ideas are spreading organically because they resonate and people take the time to share, discuss, etc. Thank you! And yes, wouldn't it be beautiful if mainstream, popular, "regular" boys, for lack of a better word, would invite the gender non-conforming boys to play sports with them. Inclusion needs to change sides.
Wow, fantastic. I loved seeing the turnout for this event and hearing your very personal, committed, (and cold 🥶!) experience of it. Bravo Mariah 👏
Hey, thanks, Debra! Such a great experience. And fingers crossed for a good ruling in June or so.
Wow. EntitleMENt. On the nose indeed. Not behavior I observed in line - but he was surrounded by strong women- and it is a distinctive look, so I don’t doubt that you were able to recognize the same guy.