Three Wins Today: Oct 5, 2025
Vote and vote now!
Are you in a state with a major election this year (CA, ME, NJ, PA, VA etc) and you’re sick of getting calls and texts from volunteers asking you to vote?
Well, I have a solution.
Just vote.
As in, you are still on a list of people who haven’t voted. If you vote, you get taken off that list. So use an early voting option, and just vote.
And it’s not just about not getting the text or call either. There are a finite number of volunteers, so when you are still in the system, you make it harder to reach those who really do need a call or text, or canvasser at their door.
If you are in California, for instance, you are getting your ballot at some point this week. Depending on where you live, there will only be one thing on that ballot, it will either be called Proposition 50 or State Measure 50 (different counties can give it different designations, but it’s exactly the same thing)
If that is all that’s on your ballot it should take you approximately 5 minutes to fill out, and fill out the signature, address and date box on the envelope. Then I highly recommend taking it to your nearest drop box, they are, by far, the safest and easiest way to return your ballot. And then you’re done.
It’s not that easy in every state, or even districts within California, but the point is, the sooner you can get it done, the better.
It helps with polling, it helps inspire other people to go vote, it helps target GOTV efforts and you will not be bothered by the influx of volunteers trying to contact you.
Most states have elections on Nov 4, and for many of them voting has already started. So vote as soon as you are able, and spare yourself the grief of the dreaded calls.
Now, the wins!
Lakewood, OH
Wed, Sept 22 - With a few wording tweaks left to work out, so the Resolution is as strong as possible, the Lakewood City Council voted unanimously in favor of the Gender Freedom Policy.
This policy is in response to HB68, which became law in 2023. It bans affirming care for trans youth in Ohio. They can’t stop a state law, but they will to everything to protect the trans youth within their boundaries. According to The Buckeye Flame, even though other municipalities have passed similar resolutions, this one goes far beyond all the others.
Ohio has, what is called “Home Rule,” which means that the City gets to be more autonomous than your average city. The state does not have any say over how the city runs itself. So they’re using that to their advantage.
The Resolution says that city resources cannot go to investigating trans people or their healthcare providers for any reason. It also says that all trans healthcare is protected by HIPAA, and, since the city can determine their employee health insurance plan, any trans or gender non conforming employees will be covered for their care.
Finally, in anticipation of new laws against drag, investigating any such performance must be the absolute lowest priority of any law enforcement officer. Behind, I don’t know, talking to their mom and dusting their books.
In a post in the Lakewood Observer, Council President, Sarah Kepple said:
It is our firm belief that this policy reflects the current attitude and practice of our City administration, which has expressed no desire to carry out the misguided priorities of our state and federal governments in this regard.
She went on
There is simply not room in the City’s budget or staff capacity to indulge these unconscionable policies which do nothing but distract us from our primary goals of building a strong, sustainable, and welcoming community.
Amazing. You can just hear her tone while reading this.
Bravo Lakewood! I hope other cities see how much you’re doing and follow suit!
Ann Arbor, MI
Mon, Sept 29 - At a time when so many local papers are going under, or being bought by huge Conservative conglomerates, It’s hard to imagine things getting better, but that’s exactly what’s happening for the Ann Arbor Observer.
Last week, the Ann Arbor District Library announced they are buying the paper.
AADL Director, Eli Neiburger, said:
The mission of the Ann Arbor District Library includes assuring public ownership of, and access to, print and digital resources for the community, and there is no publication in Ann Arbor that is as valuable to the people in our community as the Ann Arbor Observer.
Owners, publisher Patricia Garcia and editor John Hilton added:
The Observer would remain an independent, ad-funded business owned by the AADL, maintaining its own finances, management structure, and editorial independence. It would continue to be available free to all permanent residents.
Hilton and Garcia have owned the paper since 1986, all but 10 years of it’s life. To see a beloved local paper get a new life, not because of conservatives is already exciting, but for it to be also the library buying it, is even more of a win!
There are still a few final details to work out, but this acquisition should go through easily.
Online
Mon, Oct 6 - Thu, Oct 30 - Stand with Trans is hosting it’s sixth annual “Trans Empowerment Month,” but given everything going on, this is more important than ever.
The 2025 theme, Love Transcends, celebrates the strength, creativity, and resilience of transgender and non-binary youth through a wide variety of virtual workshops, panels, and performances designed to uplift, affirm, and inspire.
All workshops, panels and performances are free to those under 25 and for those over 25, it’s $51.60.
Speakers include:
Bernie Wagenblast – Voice of the MTA, Journalist, Voice Actor
James Tom – Comedian, Actor, Author
Ahya Simone – Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Harpist
Princess Jauan Durbin – Interim Vice President of the Southern Legal Center for Youth, Overall Princess of The House of Louboutin
Emme Zannotti – Senior Director of Movement Building & Political Affairs at Equality Michigan
This month-long event is an example of joy and education being the cornerstones of resistance. We fight better with community, when we know we’re not alone. If you are interested, please sign up. You can attend as many or few of the events as you wish.
So those are just some of the wins I found today.
I never do this on this post, but I think I’m gonna start, especially since the intro is so long, I want to see how many people read the whole thing. So, if you did, comment 🏳️⚧️ (trans flag)
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!
When canvassing/phonebanking, I always remind voters that the sooner they vote, the sooner they get taken off the knock/call lists! Thanks for emphasizing that important message.
I always read your whole posts! Not good with emojis, though -- ha!