LISA SALAZAR — BLOG

  But I hope it got your attention. :) In today’s evolving social and political landscape, the discourse surrounding trans-inclusive health and education, often framed as "parental rights," has sparked considerable debate and confusion. It is crucial, therefore, to delve deeper into this dialogue, focusing on the foundational principles at play: empathy, inclusivity, and the inherent rights of all children, including those who are transgender. The term "parental rights" frequently emerges in discussions, suggesting a unified stance among all parents. Regrettably, this overlooks a significant number of parents who fervently support and affirm their 2SLGBTQAI+ children and champion inclusive policies that celebrate the diversity of all students. Such parents often find themselves marginalized, leading to a false division that pits parents against each other over their stance on trans inclusivity, despite many advocating for a broader, more inclusive perspective. This ...

Imagine, for a moment, that you possess an extraordinary quality. This could be a unique talent, an exceptional ability, a rare physical attribute, or an unparalleled beauty — something that is profoundly integral to your identity and how you experience the world. This quality is not just a superficial trait; it's a deep-seated part of who you are, shaping your interactions, dreams, and sense of self. It is something that makes you special, valuable, and worthy of respect in your eyes and the eyes of those who truly understand you. Now, envision a society where this very quality - the source of your pride and joy — suddenly becomes the target of stringent laws and policies. These aren’t just any rules; they are specifically designed to suppress, control, and even erase the visibility of your unique attribute. Laws that dictate how you can express this part of yourself limit your access to resources and communities that nurture and understand your gift and challenge your right to li...

This post was inspired by my friend Candace Chellew-Hodge’s opEd. The headline read:  PEW CONFIRMS LGBT REJECTION OF RELIGION: WHY THAT’S A GOOD THING Her piece was in response to the latest Pew Survey from the Pew Research Center, which found LGBT persons have abandoned religion big-time. This was also the finding of an earlier Pew Survey of LGBT Americans (2013). The problem with these two studies is the relatively low number of trans respondents, the latter only had 5% trans participants. By comparison, the study I just completed for my Master's degree polled only trans persons; it found very few trans individuals interested in any kind of church participation, much lower than the Pew Research findings for LGBT. Only 15% include church involvement as one of their intentional spiritual practices. What this means for pastors is they don't have to worry about trans persons breaking down their doors if their church should ever become affirming. Significantly, the st...