Four individuals stand in front of a white building with green shutters, all dressed in formal attire, including suits and a dress.

People Will Talk: The diversity of perspective edition

By Nancy Ford

“You don’t often [hear about radical girl groups], and my heart skipped a beat. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, there’s hope for the future.’ And I just had to find out what they were about. I just thought, ‘These women are inspiration, they’re real, they’re human. They have real incredible, busy lives and they are making this happen because they believe in it.’ I like being around people who have a vision and just go for it. They can’t know if they’re going to succeed or not. It’s the striving [that matters].â€

—Linda Goldstein Knowlton, director of We Are the Radical Monarchs. The Radical Monarchs, an alternative to Girl Scouts of America is dedicated to “creating opportunities for young girls of color to form fierce sisterhood, celebrating their identities and contributing radically to their communities.†Via LGBTQNation.com.

Hazel Edwards

“It really added a whole extra layer of relevance for us that Hazel walked our corridors and classrooms. The firsthand knowledge she had was invaluable to us as we thought about how we can grow.â€

—Noah Tennant, chief executive officer of Boys Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, lauding former student, Hazel Edwards on educating the school’s students on transgender equality. After transitioning, Edwards returned to her alma mater after being bullied. Via LGBTQNation.com.

“Stop trying to navigate systems of power and start building your own power. There are so many subconscious forces that make us try to act like somebody else … but when you’re woman of color, there are so many things about you that is non-conforming.â€

—Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, advising young women of color looking to enter politics. Via LGBTQNation.com.

“I lived in a country where if I’d tried to be myself at the time, it would have ended up breaking laws. I stand here as the leader of my country. Flawed and human, but judged by my political actions, not by my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender, or religious beliefs. We are, after all, all God’s children.â€

—Openly gay Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, after he and his partner, Matthew Barrett, joined U.S. Vice President Mike Pence for breakfast at the Naval Observatory. Varadkar, whose father was born in India and immigrated to Ireland, said that his story is possible in “every country where freedom and liberty are cherished.†Via LGBTQNation.com.

“It’s kind of a pity party now. You’ll hear people say, ‘I was at Sam’s Club or Aldi’s and I saw Michelle Duggar and three of her kids. They all looked really tired, and they’re buying Styrofoam plates.’â€

—Laura Bell Phillips, a co-founder of For Fayetteville a pro-equality group based in Fayetteville, Arkansas on the decline in popularity of the Duggars, far-right extremists and Lifetime reality television stars. Via Rewire.News.

Christine Lehnertz

“My experiences have served to reinforce the core of my life’s values — compassion, fairness, honesty, civility and respect — and I will always stay involved in protecting our nation’s public lands and democratic principles.â€

—Christine Lehnertz, the United States’ first female and openly lesbian superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park in an email to Grand Canyon employees announcing her resignation. She started the job in August 2016, tasked with changing what federal investigators said was a pervasive culture of sexual harassment. She was advised by her attorney (who said he was concerned for her safety) to resign after a subordinate complained that Lehnertz wrongfully proposed a one-day suspension, that she bullied or retaliated against male leaders, and that she wasted $180,000 to renovate a park residence. Via AssociatedPress.com.

“The actions portrayed in this work of fiction are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted. Genital mutilation, hormone overdose, and acting against trans-competent medical advice are life-threatening behaviours likely to make gender-affirming surgeries impossible. Safe options and transgender resources exist if you or a loved one wish to medically transition. If you are considering self-harm or suicide, support is available. You are not alone.â€

—A warning card preceding Netflix’s streaming of the controversial Belgian film, Girl. Directed and co-written by Lukas Dhont, Girl depicts a 15-year-old transgender girl pursuing her dream of being a ballerina while preparing for sexual reassignment surgery. Via Houston-Today.com.

“The whole kind of sexuality of it all has been encouragingly innocuous like it has not been this big (deal). Hopefully, we’re past the time where it’s gotta be this whole giant announcement and it can just be part of who you are and part of the work.â€

—Tony and Emmy-award-winning actor Ben Platt, a gay, white, cisgender male, discussing his experience coming out in the 21st century. Via LGBTQNation.com.

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