You are receiving Ellie Krug's Monthly Newsletter, The Ripple
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ellie krug
writer, lawyer, human
Human Inspiration Works, LLC
The Ripple
Vol 9 No. 1 January 2024
Inspired by the words and deeds of Robert F. Kennedy
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An Ominous Start to '24
Dear Friends:
It’s the first Ripple of a brand-new year, which I’ve dubbed “Tumultuous ‘24” given how 2024 might go. We shall see, right?
I do hope the new year has started off well for you. On my end, the bitter cold we suddenly experienced made for some very short dog walks—taking Jack out in that misery had him lifting his paws not even five minutes into the walk. Ugh!
On a note more relevant to my work, the legislative season that commenced on January 1 has brought an avalanche of anti-transgender bills in various statehouses. As reported by transgender blogger Erin Reed, whereas this time last year we saw 50 anti-trans bills, already in 2024 nearly 200 such bills have been filed. Even worse, many of these bills target not just trans kids and youth, but also adults via restrictions on access to health care or ominous burdens on health care providers. (See Pain below.)
I know that I may sound like a broken record harping about how my community is always at risk. The reality is that what happens in Ohio or West Virginia or somewhere else gravely affects transgender people in Minnesota and in other “refuge” states. That’s because bigotry and intolerance know no state lines, and the emotional impact of being told that you’re unworthy in those states damages one’s heart everywhere. It truly hurts my spirit and that of others!
Most of all, it causes us to worry—what’s next? What is planned for after the election if it goes the wrong way? Will I even be able to travel in the United States? And god forbid, what if I get sick in an intolerant state where medical professionals are permitted, if not encouraged, to deny me treatment?
This is how it’s shaping up. Trust me, I’m not being Chicken Little here. The risks are real!
Finally, I recognize that very few trans people have the platform that I do—with this newsletter and my radio show/podcast. That, in my view, creates added responsibility to talk about what’s happening.
Thanks for listening. Please share about this with others; we are a small community and need all the allies we can find!
Separately, on a way more positive note, for those in the Twin Cities metro, mark your calendars! I will be offering Gray Area Thinking© to the general public on the evening of Thursday, March 14 at the lovely Chaska Event Center. Here’s an Eventbrite invite—I’d love for you to join us!
Okay, that’s it for this month. Remember, I care about you! I mean that with all my heart every time I write it.
ellie
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A Choice for Compassion: An Incredible Sacrifice in the Desert | |
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From CNN comes a story of incredible sacrifice where a migrant chose compassion for a stranger over his own freedom and dreams.
On Thanksgiving Day 2007, then-nine-year-old Chris Buchleitner and his mother Dawn went camping in the desert mountains of Arizona not far from Nogales, AZ and right over from the Mexican border. As Dawn drove their van on a steep gravel road, she lost control and the van plummeted into a ravine pinning Dawn in the wreckage and seriously injuring her. Chris, however, was able to get free of the van wreckage and climb to the roadway.
Out of cell tower range, Chris used a broken side mirror to focus the sun’s glare in an attempt to signal overhead Border Patrol helicopters that patrolled the area. It didn’t work and the day was turning into dusk.
It was then when Manuel Jesus Cordova Soberanes, 26 years old, spotted Chris on the roadway. Manuel had just crossed the border on his way to Phoenix or Tucson to build a new life. For days, he had been with a group of 30 other migrants as they dodged criminals and authorities. He became separated from the group, and was intent on making the rest of the trek alone.
After giving Chris his sweatshirt because of the cooling day, Manuel went down into the ravine to find that Dawn was still breathing but trapped. Even worse, the van had been caught by trees and was teetering—the bottom of the ravine was still some distance below.
At that point Manuel had to make a decision: he could leave Chris at the side of the road and continue his journey, or he could stay and comfort Chris and await help. Manuel made the latter choice, a choice for compassion.
After building a fire and repeatedly going down into the ravine to check on Dawn, Chris and Manuel waited. Around midnight on one of his trips to the van, Manuel realized that Dawn had died. Manuel continued to stay with Chris throughout the night.
In the morning, Manuel flagged down two hunters who used a satellite phone to call for a rescue. Manuel could have fled then, but decided instead that he needed to wait with Chris until rescue units could take Chris somewhere safe. He felt that Chris needed him.
Of course, the Border Patrol also arrived and put Manuel in handcuffs. However, when Chris told authorities what Manuel had done for him, they removed the handcuffs and apologized for what was coming next: deportation back to Mexico. But before he went, Border Patrol agents gave Manuel a round of applause.
Manuel, however, was okay with returning to Mexico. He figured that was just his destiny.
Soon, the mayor and other representatives of Nogales searched for Manuel in Mexico. The reason? They wanted to celebrate his selfless act of helping Chris. This time, Manuel was escorted into the US for a celebration attended by elected officials, law enforcement and the press.
This is an incredible story of compassion under the most difficult of personal circumstances. I am thankful for the example that Manuel set. I hope you are too!
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Inclusivity Tip of the Month:
Talking to LGBTQ+ Students
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I’ve had the honor (and that is the right word) of speaking to LGBTQ+ students on many occasions at schools across the country (usually via Zoom). Almost all of those conversations happened with GSAs—called “Gay-Straight Alliances” or “Gender and Sexuality Alliances”—that schools sponsor to support their LGBTQ+ students.
My usual pitch is to first talk about human authenticity, the thing inside each of us that makes us feel whole. For some, authenticity is about sexuality or gender identity, but for others it could be the need to write, or to make music, or to sing, or to act or to create art. Whatever that authenticity may be for someone, it’s important to understand the need to listen to it; otherwise, the gut pulls of feeling less than complete, less than whole, will never go away.
I also talk about the “mantras” that everyone, including younger people, has for themselves. For example, a nonbinary teen once told me that their mantra was, “I hate you,” which they said to themself 100 times a day. Hearing that broke my heart!
Other mantras that students share are more positive—“You have this,” “I’ll get through this challenge,” “I’m worth the work.”
(By the way, my own long running mantra is, “Quit your whining!” Just so you know…)
Most of all, at every talk I tell students that they are worthy, that they matter, and that they have value. In today’s world, where most of the country is passing laws attacking LGBTQ+ humans, it’s important to reinforce that these young people deserve dignity and love—since it’s very easy for them to believe that’s not the case.
If you’re an educator or an adult who regularly meets with LGBTQ+ students and would like a pep talk or refresher, feel free to reach out. And, certainly, I’d be happy to talk to any group or single young human if you thought it might be of value. Thanks!
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Proving once again that most humans have good hearts, when the sole customer of a Norman OK hot dog restaurant saw the owner looking out the window waiting for more customers, the customer took a pic. He then posted it on Facebook; soon the hot dog shop had customers lining up to support the business. Read here. Also, recall the September 2023 Ripple piece about Kevin Ford, the Las Vegas airport Burger King worker who received a miserly gift from his boss as reward for not taking a sick day in 20 years? A GoFundMe for him raised more than $400K—here’s the story of Kevin buying his first home with some of that money. Lastly, we have two stories of law enforcement risking their lives for strangers—this one to save a girl from an icy pond, and this one saving a woman from a burning car. | | |
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With all the attacks on DEI, here’s an article about how to make DEI work—and guess what? I’m already doing that with Gray Area Thinking© and how I approach my other talks. See also this CNN interview of Rob Reiner re: his new documentary, “God and Country” pertaining to the dangers of Christian nationalism. On a positive note, I have talks for a charter school support organization and for a law firm before the month is out. Finally, the BOOK REPORT—I’ve written or revised more than 50K words since the last Ripple and sent out an except to a key character for their review. It is progressing. Stay tuned! | | |
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As referenced above, see this about proposed legislation in West VA that would not only prevent every therapist and social worker from affirming trans children/youth, but also would require them to actively counsel their clients against being transgender (called “conversion therapy") As if that’s even possible—I’m proof that it’s not! Here’s another piece about how rising malpractice premiums in intolerant states are preventing doctors from treating trans patients. See also this story about how NH Democrats crossed over to pass a bill banning gender affirming care in that state (huh?!). Then there’s this story about how the DEI director for Johns Hopkins came under fire for her (truthful) definition of “privilege.” Finally, see this piece about how things changed for the worse in a CA school district that stopped teaching about structural racism. | | |
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We have a mixture of Relief startng with this hound dog playing the piano—yep, followed by a pup worthy of an Oscar. There’s also this anteater named King Bumi opening Xmas presents. Here too is a story of how care for a near desolate Australian nature preserve brought it back to life. And did you know that plants actually support each other, as in mutual aid? See the story here. Also, I’m a big Edward Hopper fan (of his art, not necessarily of him as a person). Check out this link. Finally, how about a baby kangaroo in a pouch? | | |
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I’ve had the honor of meeting a fantastic poet, Asher Motes, who also is transgender and a student at the University of Iowa. Here are two of his delightful poems. Also, regular Ripple reader Bernie Saunders long ago published a book of close-up nature photos with prose by his late mother, Kay Saunders. The book, The Grace of Ordinary Days, is simply wonderful. And, with Girl Scout cookie season soon upon us, why not order from transgender Girl Scouts? Erin Reed has compiled an easy-to-use reference. Nice!
Finally, I do many pro bono or low bono (greatly reduced fee) talks. A nonprofit, Human Ripple Works, Inc., exists for that purpose. If you would like to support this work, please click here on the HRW website. Thank you!
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Finally....
The Ripple is a work in progress, so please, I welcome your suggestions and comments! Please share this newsletter with others, too!
Please consider reading my book, Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change; if possible, order it through your local bookstore. And, if your book club reads my book, I'm happy to come for the discussion via Zoom!
Thank you for helping to make the world a better place! I'm at your side, cheering you on, I promise! Please have compassion for yourself and for others.
ellie
Encouraging Open Hearts and Thriving Human Spirits
Human Inspiration Works, LLC: We make "inclusion" an action word
elliejkrug@gmail.com
www.elliekrug.com
www.humaninspirationworks.com
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Ellen (Ellie) Krug
319-360-1692
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