44. Erin Reed, Independent Journalist, Trans Activist, Author of Erin in the Morning

Last week I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to go on a multi-generational expedition to the Galapagos Islands. I was out of contact for a week, and have come back refreshed. I want to say three things about this: 1) I know I’m extremely privileged to be able to go on a trip like this, and I’m grateful to my in-laws for sponsoring it; 2) We all need to take breaks in this long, never-ending fight for freedom. If you’re burned out, please take some time to refresh yourself…don’t look at Twitter and read lots of fiction (that’s my jam); and 3) Even though Ecuador has been politically unstable recently, this hasn’t changed its commitment to protecting the natural beauty, endemic and native flora and fauna, and what they call the naiveté of the animals, which is what allows people to come so close to the sea lions, giant tortoises, and blue footed boobies virtually unnoticed. It’ll take me a little longer to fully process the implications and metaphors of such careful stewardship. For now, I’ll just say that we can learn a lot from the Ecuador National Parks.

Giant Galapagos Tortoise minding it’s own business surrounded by a dozen gawping travelers.

I returned to reality and learned of the murder of Nex Benedict, a trans teenager in Oklahaoma, who had been bullied for months or years. In this episode, I talk to Erin Reed, trans activist, independent journalist and writer of Erin in the Morning, which reports on the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ bills and laws around the country, including the 400+ that have been filed in 2024 alone. We discuss the death of Nex Benedict in Oklahoma, and the ongoing risk to trans adults in MAGA captured states (laws against trans kids are already passed). Erin breaks the news that Arizona defeated a bill to put anti-trans legislation on the ballot in November. Remember the Arizona activists we talked to in episode 43? Their work helped elect enough democrats in the legislature to be able to defeat the measure.

Erin's information is always accurate and timely, and I recommend following her substack and on social media.

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