Brian Michael Smith Instagram – This year, I’ve found myself overwhelmed, disheartened and afraid at the number of laws being proposed and PASSED in this country against my existence, my ability to access healthcare, to use the bathroom, or express myself through what I wear. My heart breaks daily learning about young people who are being invalidated, cut off from therapy and support groups, forced to detransition, or out themselves or have their parents prosecuted for supporting them.
It would be so easy to lose all hope and throw my hands up but I stay encouraged knowing that organizations like @humanrightscampaign are not taking these hits laying down.
Last night, at the @HRCLA dinner, my spirits were completely uplifted because I was in a room full of people coming together to say, We will not go quietly into the night. We are not going to sit by and watch our rights be stripped away, nor have our livelihoods used as a wedge to further divide our country. The new @HRCPrez Kelley Robinson took us to church while laying out what the org has done and will continue to do to pushback against this anti-equality wave. @SpeakerPelosi , long time champion of LGBTQ equality reminded us on the grit it takes to win these kinds of fights. Stephen Chukumba, father of a trans child shared how HRCs resources were invaluable to him when seeking support on how to help his child. I was honored to share the stage with so many inspiring people but it was my distinct pleasure to present the HRC Equality Award to @mjrodriguez7 Michaela Jae Rodriguez, a beacon of light and a personal possibility model for me. She was recognized not only for her excellence in her artistry but also for her commitment for using her work, voice and visibility to break down barriers. I’m so grateful for every person who showed up to support the work @humanrightscampaign is doing and to the @HRCLA staff, Board Members and volunteers who made the evening possible. I also want to thank every one of my guests, my wife, for her tenacity and support, the artists and activists I’ve long admired from the Trans community within the industry and the allies, who demonstrated they are willing to show up and stand with us. | Posted on 27/Mar/2023 03:06:18
