Generation Progress

Young people working for progressive change. A project of the Center for American Progress.

[plannedparenthood]

The health care repeal bill is moving in the Senate. Thirteen men are writing this bill behind closed doors. Trumpcare would gut maternity coverage, “defund” Planned Parenthood, and take away health care from millions. Defunding Planned Parenthood would cause a national health disaster — and the people who would be hurt most would be those struggling to get by.

[huffpost]

Luxembourg’s ‘First Gentleman’ gloriously photographed with partners of World leaders.

Gauthier Destenay is married to the world’s only openly gay prime minister.

❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜

[genprogress]

During Pride Month, we celebrate equality around the globe!

[rainbowedits]

please, like or reblog if you save ☽

[genprogress]

Happy Pride Month from all of us at GP!

[annmariebrok]

I made this “self-care for activists” handout. Feel free to print or share via social media. Remember to take care of yourselves out there!

[genprogress]

Reminder!

[ithelpstodream]

[genprogress]

Meet Jerry Falwell Jr., President Trump’s education task force leader who encouraged students to carry firearms to “end those Muslims.”

[lookdifferentmtv-deactivated201]

10 ways you can take action and be an ally to trans people

1. Educate yourself. Find out how here. 

2. Use a person’s correct gender pronouns when referring to or speaking with them. If you aren’t sure what pronouns to use, it’s alright to politely ask. For example, you could say “what pronouns do you use?” or “Hi, my name is Shane and my pronouns are they/them. What about you?” Do not ask for a transgender person’s “real name.” You can also join this DoSomething.org campaign to challenge your classmates to not use masculine/feminine pronouns for a day.

3. Speak to transgender people like you would cisgender people, or people that are not transgender. Avoid comments that you wouldn’t say to cisgender people such as:

a. “He’s so hot. I’d date him even though he’s transgender.”

b. “You look like a real woman.”

c. “You look so pretty, I would have never known you weren’t a real woman.”

d. “What was it like being born a boy?”

e. “What surgeries have you had?”

f. “What’s it like to have sex as a transgender?

g. You’d pass so much better if you wore more/less make-up, had a better wig, etc.”

Read more here. 

#4: Seek out and listen to the stories of transgender people in your community. Speak out in solidarity when you read stories about transgender people facing violence or the startling number of transgender women who have been murdered because of who they are.

#5. Share positive things you’re seeing regarding why trans rights matter on social media using #goodlook and Laverne Cox’s #TransIsBeautiful

#6: Keep updated on what’s going on in the trans community by liking the TransAdvocate and National Center for Transgender Equality pages on Facebook. 

7. Call out gender policing that discriminates against a person’s level of masculinity or femininity when you see it. 

8. Advocate for all-gender bathrooms in your school or community. You can start a petition here to get gender neutral bathrooms on your campus.

9. Join a local Gay-Straight Alliance through GLSEN or the GSA Network, or learn how to take action on your college campus with Campus Pride.

10. Take part in Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor those victims of anti-transgender violence, on Nov. 20.

For even more tips on how to be an ally to trans people, check out this list from our partners at GLAAD.

[huffpost]

[refinery29]

Wondering what a call to Congress actually sounds like? We got you.

If you’re on this website (or a human alive today) there’s a really good chance you’re afraid to call your Senator/Representative because you don’t know how the phone call will go. We’re trying to remove some of the mystery around calling your elected representative to show you a few different examples of first time callers leaving a comment with their Congressional office. It’s so easy!

On this call, you see Victoria learning that sometimes you have to call a few different offices to get through. You should also know that if you’re not calling from a big state like New York or California, you’re much less likely to have this problem. Either way, on average even the long calls take less than five minutes. Just make sure you call during standard work hours. Take a bathroom break to make the call if you have to. Promise it won’t take too long.

Read more about how to call your congressional representative here.

[refinery29]

We put together a super simple guide for how to call your elected official. Check it out and call today.

[genprogress]

Now is the time take your voice heard.

[skateybears]

all are welcome

[amnestyusa]

Tell your Senator to oppose the #MuslimBan. Your voice can make a difference. It’s time to get loud! #NoBanNoWall http://bit.ly/StopMuslimBanAIUSA

[genprogress]

Trump's Secretary of Education nominee thinks that we need guns in schools. To protect from grizzlies. 🤔

[aflcio]

Call 1-888-704-9446 and tell legislators that Jeff Sessions is unfit to be Attorney General. #StopSessions

[genprogress]

☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️ ☝️️

[younginvincible]

Hi Bess, I'm 22 and I'm currently covered under my parent's insurance because of the ACA. What should I do if it's repealed? I'm a college student and I had planned on using my parents' insurance til I turned 26.

Thank you, that’s a great question. My colleague Heidi at HHS will chime in. - B 

The ACA has been the law of the land for over six years and it has been woven into the fabric of America.

We’ve talked about the ways that Americans’ health care is better, whether people realize it or not – and why we can’t go backwards. We also know that the ACA can and should be improved – but any change to the law should not: cover fewer people, make healthcare less affordable, lower the quality of coverage and care, or add to the deficit.

Last week, HHS launched a new interactive way for people to engage with personal stories about how the ACA is changing lives at HHS.gov/CoverageMatters. Please  share your stories on social media with us using the hashtag: #CoverageMatters. - H

[younginvincible]

I still don't get why I need insurance. I'm young, healthy, and don't have a ton of money to waste.

Accidents happen. Even a small injury can cost a lot without insurance.In fact, millennials are some of the most frequent guests in the ER… When youhave health insurance, you have peace of mind. AND, you’ll have access to tonsof great FREE (yes FREE!!) preventive care services – things like an annualphysical, HIV / STI tests, contraception! If you don’t enroll, you’re going toend up paying a fine of $695 or 2.5% of your income, and you get nothing forthat. Don’t just hand your money over without taking advantage. When you can#GetCovered for $75 a month or less, how can you afford NOT to get insurance?

[genprogress]

Head over to @younginvincible to read their full Answer Time Q&A on signing up for health insurance! And remember, the deadline to enroll for coverage on January 1 is THURSDAY!

[genprogress]

Comprehensive nondiscrimination protections would provide LGBTQ Millennials a fair shot at economic stability. >> READ MORE.

[echothroughthefog]

How to call your reps when you have social anxiety

When you struggle with your mental health on a daily basis, it can be hard to take action on the things that matter most to you. The mental barriers anxiety creates often appear insurmountable. But sometimes, when you really need to, you can break those barriers down. This week, with encouragement from some great people on the internet, I pushed against my anxiety and made some calls to members of our government. Here’s a comic about how you can do that, too. (Resources and transcript below.)

Motivational resources: There are a lot! Here are a few I really like:

Emily Ellsworth explains why calling is the most effective way to reach your congressperson.

Sharon Wong posted a great series of tweets that helped me manage my phone anxiety and make some calls.

Kelsey is tweeting pretty much daily with advice and reminders about calling representatives. I found this tweet an especially great reminder that calls aren’t nearly as big a deal as anxiety makes them out to be.

Informational resources: There are a lot of these, as well! These three are good places to start:

Find your representative at house.gov

Find your senators at senate.gov

Use the “We’re His Problem Now” scripts when calling (or write your own!)

Keep reading

[genprogress]

Your voice is more important now that ever.