Human Rights and Humanity

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Sat., Oct. 9, 2021, 9:08 p.m. Subject: Human Rights and Humanity (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <assistance@liberal.ca>, <anthony.rota.c1@parl.gc.ca>, <america@aljazeera.net>, <hollywoodbureau@naacpnet.org>, <communications@naacpnet.org>, <bernard.choi@boeing.com>, <carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca>, <calgary@globalnews.ca>, <cnn.feedback@cnn.com>, <chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn>, <cbcpr@cbc.ca>, <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>, <drun@un.int>, David Hulen <dhulen@adn.com>, <edmonton@globalnews.ca>, <eonline@bellmedia.ca>, <editor@japantoday.com>, <FoxNationCustomerCare@fox.com>, <Francois-Philippe.Champagne@parl.gc.ca>, <ASH@hhs.gov>, <gov.pressoffice@alaska.gov>, <GlobalBarrie@globalnews.ca>, <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>, <haqf@un.org>, <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, <info@ccla.org>, <info@rttv.ru>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca>, <annamie.paul@greenparty.ca>, <kdundar@hdn.com.tr>, <km_ir@kindermorgan.com>, <msnbctvinfo@nbcuni.com>, <mediarelations@aa.com>, <newsonline@ctv.ca>, <newstips@globaltv.com>, <newschannel@ctv.ca>, <news@connexionfrance.com>, <news@skynews.com>, <news@thelocal.se>, <osd.pentagonpressbadges@mail.mil>, <omc-bcm@hc-sc.gc.ca>, <premier@gov.nl.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.sk.ca>, <report@aiusa.org>, <reportit@kxan.com>, <rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com>, <tips@thetexan.news>, <tonews@cbc.ca>, <ViewerContactCalgary@globalnews.ca>, <ViewerContactToronto@globalnews.ca>, <Vincent.A.Steves@abc.com>, <yves-francois.blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, <YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk>, <YDChin@rcclapac.com>, <mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca>, <drtheresa.tam@canada.ca>, <ncte@transequality.org>, <%20hello@transrightsnow.org>, <gladcanada.info@gmail.com>, <partners@hrc.org>, <krishana.polite@nc.gov>, <patrick.riley@nc.gov>, <govrequests@nc.gov>, <newstips@wncn.com>, <programming@wncn.com>, <us@ocasiocortez.com>, <press@ocasiocortez.com>

Hey Everyone, I was reading a disturbing story that talked about how a lawmaker was making disparaging comments about LGBTQ+ and trans individuals. Over our history we have struggled with the concept of human rights. We have passed laws in contravention of those rights and have formulated our society to be hostile to those that are different. This must change. The value of the collective is defined by the individual contributions of the many. This standard of life, of personhood, helps to define, redefine and at times enhance the collective expression of our people. The value of the individual and the rights contained therein create the fabric of our collective human tapestry. These rights, these standards of human dignity and morality, have been built on through generations of atrocity. academia and adversity. Each time that human dignity was challenged, a few good souls rose to stop that dark night. Each time they stood, marched, fought, bled and died, they expanded the definition of who we are as a people and where we can go. Civil Rights are Human Rights, Religious rights are human rights, refugee rights are human rights, women's rights are human rights. Trans rights are human rights. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, period. When we devalue one group of our people we challenge those collective rights we all hold so dear. In relation to the school curriculums and the fact that some do not want to edify the next generation of our people, we need to prepare them for the world which we have built. In today's day and age the learning curriculum is not conducive to building empathy, imagination or potential. This must also change. Our society is filled with examples on how we need to expand the curriculum to include all facets of our people. Think back to the time of slavery and segregation, the school curriculum did not explain black history nor did it shed light on the legion of human rights workers that arose from the darkness. What would our society come to mean if we did not include black history as part of our curriculum. This education drive not only helped to build knowledge of the African struggle but also helped prevent further tragedies through education. Education is the cornerstone of evolution and the crucible with which we build our collective society, this includes all of us. We cannot pick and choose which parts of our history we get to uplift or shelter. We must face our past demons with an open mind and an open heart or else these same mistakes will repeat themselves. Think back to the beginning of the LGBTQ+ movement and how LGBTQ+ people were treated like second class citizens. They lost their jobs, medical care, businesses, homes and lives all due to someone else's ignorance. The same can be said for the trans movement and how they have been treated like second class citizens for living their truth. These same atrocities continue to reappear throughout our history because we forget them and fail to educate people on the horrors of the past. With education we build empathy and this is something we sorely need in today's world. There are some that argue teaching the next generation about reproductive medicine or biological differences will corrupt them. However, our current system hides knowledge behind ignorance and we are worse for it. Think of all those shows dedicated to early pregnancies. Entire generations of people who grew up without the knowledge to protect themselves from STDS or pregnancies because a few parents were too bashful to teach the correct lessons. In relation to teaching LGBTQ+ and trans issues, I can indicate that I am LGBTQ+ and have been since birth. Growing up I never realized who I was or why I was different. I just knew that I was. I never understood the feelings that I developed for actors on television and why I had such favoritism for the male power rangers. I was never taught about my group of people and had no frame of knowledge to build upon when I realized I was gay. There were barely any mentions of LGBTQ+ in television, radio, books or even in everyday life. This knowledge, these opportunities for love were lost to me because people fear what they cannot understand. I never had a boyfriend growing up and never experienced all the beautiful things you're supposed to experience when you're in love. I was denied these possibilities because others felt afraid. Imagine your descendants, what if one of them is sitting there with legitimate questions about their sexuality. To deny them the ability to understand themselves is dangerous to both the individual and the collective. Each time we censure a soul we degrade the entirety of humanity, we reduce our own definition. Education is meant to help the person discover who they are not who others want them to be. We are each unique individuals with different wants, needs, hopes and dreams but that doesn't mean we don't collectively fit together. These differences are not something to fear or to hide behind ignorance, they are meant to challenge our definition of what is possible both within the human condition and the collective consciousness. I know some do not understand LGBTQ+ or Trans individuals because they are straight. Let me ask each of you, when did you choose to be straight? Many will say that they were born straight which is the same argument that LGBTQ+ and Trans people have. We were born this way. Many of you object for religious reasons but as we know God makes no mistakes, God is thoughtful, insightful and endless. Those that believe know what it means to have a soul. This expression of consciousness, of being, that reaches far beyond biology and connects us to God each day we live. Why is it so hard to believe that we each have a soul gender? Each person is born with a soul, a spirit that reaches beyond this life into the collective afterlives of creation. Each person who tells you they are male or female regardless of biology are following their soul towards the discovery of identity. Imagine what it's like to be Trans or LGBTQ+. Being born into a world that is hostile to you for simply being who you are or loving the gender you were born to love. Being hated and vilified and called atrocious names all for something that you cannot control. It would be the same if everyone started discriminating against straight people, it would still be wrong. Given the hate and ignorance we face each day I guarantee you if it was a choice. we wouldn't choose to be hated. Each person that has the courage to live their truth is more beautiful and courageous than any soldier. Education is where we bridge the divides between you and me. This is where we craft our future from the bedrock of today and we cannot uplift our society until everyone stands equal. It's time to evolve the standards of gender and love to include all the possibilities that God has created for us. Each act of hate or intolerance degrades our faith and devalues our own worth. God loves everyone, that includes Trans and LGBTQ+ people. God is love and love is equal. To the legion of Trans and LGBTQ+ people I say this, do not let fear destroy the happiness of your present. Live your truth in honesty and openness for each time you do you send a spark across the deep expanse of ignorance to light the flame of empathy and equality. Stand proud in who you are no matter who tells you they are your better. You are each beautiful, courageous and strong and I salute you and honor you. I love you all. “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” – Nelson Mandela “A right delayed is a right denied.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2