26 Comments

Justice, joy, yes, yes!

Aspirations for our world.

North Star for our work.

May our voices, joined,

become votes for good, justice.

A virtuous vision.

May our heads, hands, linked,

be fuel for fairness’ furnace.

A valiant vision.

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author

💙💙💙💙💙

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Went to early voting a few days ago and put a tiny drop of blue in my deep red state to show people that we are here, even if she can’t take all 9 electoral votes from South Carolina. We are definitely here and talked extensively about voting in my local transgender support group. One of our members is volunteering as a poll worker. South Carolina is also home to other ridiculous crap that makes it inconvenient to vote such as needing to be registered 30 days in advance of the election, and needing some kind of physical disability to be approved to vote by mail. The former kept me from voting at midterms because my house was under construction and didn’t exist with an address, so I wasn’t a state resident. I didn’t live in California any more (where my vote was also worthless) so I couldn’t vote there either.

I went to the polling place and said nothing, spoke to no one, wore plain boymode clothes, and constantly got called sir and dead name so that there will be no “security” problems with my ability to vote. We also have a state law where any person can challenge the legality of a persons ability to vote. Poll workers must intervene and take this accusation seriously. They will give that person a provisional ballot who then has to appear at a provisional ballot hearing to have their voting ability verified. I waited until this is over to start any name or gender marker changes to make sure my vote goes smoothly.

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author

Dani - my heart. I wish I had the right words. This is just to say thank you. You represent the best of the American electorate, going through measures most of us (cis white) voters never have to think about just to cast a vote. It’s not right. You inspire me. 💙💙💙

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Nov 1Liked by Liz Gumbinner

You are amazing and thank you for your vote because it does count. I wish Kamala could see this, she would appreciate it too.

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Thank you Dani- I am so grateful for your vote and your effort to do so. Thank you too for sharing.

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Oct 31Liked by Liz Gumbinner

Sometimes I wonder if Joe Biden chose Kamala to be his VP as a way to "make right" his vote as a Senator in 1991 that helped to appoint Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

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author

That's a reasonable question. I think the answer is not exactly...but they're not unrelated. He is clearly a man who has allowed himself to grow over the years in terms of his thinking, his policies, his legislation, and his belief system. He has done INCREDIBLE things for women over his presidency (shoutout to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson) and I think it's because he's not the person he was three decades ago. (Nor is the Senate itself: https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/senate-stories/making-room-for-women-in-the-senate.htm) Biden made his mark as a true champion of vulnerable people and protected classes and sees the value in having diverse perspectives on his team. Personally, I always value people with the ability to evolve their thinking because that is a super hard thing to do as humans! One of the hardest.

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Oct 31Liked by Liz Gumbinner

Yes, the personal tragedies in his life gave him cause for reflection, and he is truly one of the greatest presidents, not only in our lifetime, but in history.

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Greatj great great!! What a great great experiance this had to be!!

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author

It really really was. hashtag-blessed

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Oct 31Liked by Liz Gumbinner

So exciting! I love the quote you pulled out for the same reasons. Cannot wait to vote Harris on Election Day

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author

If not sooner!

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Oct 31Liked by Liz Gumbinner

Done and done! I am actually volunteering on Tuesday as pole greeter/monitor to help ensure there is no voter intimation, and everyone who WANTS to vote, can cast their ballot quick and safely. Before this, I have volunteered with the local Democratics with phone banking and canvassing. It's not much, but I'd like to think I made a small difference.

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author

THANK YOU PAUL!! When you're talking about razor-thin margins to win up and down the ballot, every small thing is a BIG thing.

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Thank you for taking us there. Pinky swear!

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author

Yay! 🙌

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Oct 31·edited Oct 31Liked by Liz Gumbinner

It looks so incredibly amazing and you look blissful!!!

I voted yesterday.

My 2 younger ones (25 and 28) won’t even vote. They have grown-up with 9-11 as one of their first core memories, and they see the fear and hatred and divisiveness that has worsened throughout their lives. They blame the politicians. They have lost hope and I can’t force it on them. It breaks my heart. I keep trying to get them to the polls….we need them. I hope when things start to shift they will have a change of heart….

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author

Oof. I'm sorry. I wish more young people understood that they could be the biggest, most powerful voting block with the most influence...if they were reliable voters. Would they welcome a friendly talk over coffee in Brooklyn sometime?

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founding

OMG. How many ways can I say how proud of you I am? If I had to design a daughter from scratch, it’d be you every time. You have so proudly carried on the tradition that we began , and I know that your legacy will last long after Yeadon is a twinkle in someone’s eye. Thank you, my love❤️

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author

I'm so fortunate to have parents who passed down the importance of caring for others -- and it seems it's fortunate that it stuck. With all of us. Love you xoxo

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Oct 31Liked by Liz Gumbinner

How did you get so close?!!! Wow!

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author

It was a separate section for people with creator credentials. If you look at my Instagram saved story (@mom101) I explain it complete with a helpful little map!

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Nov 1Liked by Liz Gumbinner

I agree, best speech.

Thank you for your words. Uplifting.

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Liz, thank you for sharing this experience. Kamala brings such positive energy along with a sincere concern for everyone...now on to Tuesday!

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Crying as I read this.

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