Advocacy

The world is in turmoil right now. The state of our nation is dire and fragile. It can feel impossible to know how to help others, while also trying to keep our own mental health stable.

I will do my best to keep this page up to date with ways to help others, and yourself. This page was last updated February 13, 2025.

Tips to help with your mental health:

1. Let out your emotions: cry, scream, run, paint, write, talk to people

2. Take time away from your phone and the need to look at news for at least a little bit each day

3. Look at ways you can help others, volunteer, or just be a good friend

4. Do something fun! Read, crochet, go outside, exercise, do a puzzle, cook something delicious, whatever is fun for you! Do a crossword! (Skip to the bottom to see the one I created!)

5. Protect yourself: Get or renew your passport, secure birth control, make plans for continued gender-affirming care

a. The CDC data sheets on birth control options have been saved here

6. Vote with your dollars:

List of companies and where they stand with their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs

List of BIPOC, LGBTQ owned companies

Nationwide Boycot Day on February 28

Find ways to help:

Tell your congress members how you feel:

Recent initiatives, as of February 13, 2025:

Follow me on Bluesky and Threads for the latest! (the kinder versions of Twitter/X)

Subscribe below to get the latest legislative initiatives and puzzles!

Washington state senate is asking for state funding for victims of crimes, as the US congress seems likely to remove the VOCA (Victims of Crimes Act), which funds domestic violence and sexual assault survivor programs.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5362&Year=2025&Initiative=false

United States congress temporarily paused federal funding for many programs, including those for domestic violence survivors. The funding has been restored as of 1/30/25, but it can still help to tell your congress members that you don't want it threatened again:

https://act.thehotline.org/a/demand-reversal-funding-pause

United States congress is considering banning trans athletes from youth sports. Tell them to preserve this, trans athletes deserve to have fun and play, and have all the benefits of youth sports!

https://pflag.salsalabs.org/protecttranskids0/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=afbe817f-6ab9-4683-822b-90322cb23882

Washington state is trying to ban gender-affirming care for youth. Gender-affirming care is life-saving care.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1038

Washington state congress is considering creating universal healthcare:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=8004&Year=2025&Initiative=false

Stay on top of Washington state congress bills and initiatives:

https://leg.wa.gov/

Follow the latest from the Seattle City Council:

https://council.seattle.gov/

Learn what bills and initiatives your federal congress members are working on, and contact them:

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Attend local city council meetings, school board meetings, and library board meetings: