Threats are Real this time…
UFCW Family,
The threats were real this time. The radical campaign trail promises made during stump speeches are actually happening. The protections that were forged in sweat and blood are outlandishly up for debate again.
Several days ago, I came across a KFF article sharing an overview of the many ways Trump is intentionally jeopardizing the mental and physical health of LGBTQ+ Americans along with all Americans who rely on any healthcare that has connections to the Federal government.
You may or may not agree with gender diversity or gender-affirming care. You may or may not even agree with DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) protections. I encourage you though to look back on the poem written by the now famous Martin Niemöller.
First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
-Martin Niemöller-
They have attacked women’s rights! They have attacked immigrants’ rights! They attacked LGBTQ+ rights! Who is next? Most of us know this poem, and now all of us must choose if we live it.
As of June 6th, even with a multitude of lawsuits filed, some restraining orders in place and the majority of Americans screaming for him to stop his mission of destruction and hate, Trump is not halting. Trump is using his position and going beyond his scope of power to change our laws to;
-Repeal all DEI protections from public institutions including but not limited to public schools
-Obliterate funding and future contracts for all companies that have DEI-related policies and/or initiatives
-Eliminate any terminology that refers to gender diversity. Including restricting all federal, or federally funded, forms to only include Male and Female as sex options while eliminating sections for Gender or Pronouns
-Destroy all protections against discrimination in the workplace and in our communities to return to “merit-based opportunities”
-Eliminate all funding for gender-affirming care through all federally funded programs, or any facility that may receive federal grants (which is nearly every healthcare facility that provides such care) such as Veteran Services and Postal Workers. The next step in the plan is to target all ACA-affirming care insurance coverage.
-Replace any reference to “Gender-Diversity” with “Gender-Ideology”
-Demands HHS block all gender-affirming medications from distribution and production even treatments and medications such as “puberty blockers” which are used for a variety of non-gender related purposes.
The bullet points that highlight the destruction of our rights and protections devastatingly could go on and on. This information must be shared! Yes, it is absolutely acceptable to take a break from the news and restore our balance. Yes, we cannot solve every problem for everyone. When space and grace allow though we must open our eyes, our hearts, to the realities of what is happening to our fellow Americans, what is happening to us!
We should all have the absolute freedom to self-identify. We should all have access to life, liberty and justice. We are all unequivocally part of the UFCW family! The unreal is real. We will, we must, stay united for the safety and rights of all. Be an ally; attend a PRIDE event, wear a pronoun button, and always work to create safe spaces for all.
In Solidarity,
Deliana Speights
International Chair, UFCW Women’s Network
