Closing the Book on Hate

As we find ourselves in a very public battle today in places like North Carolina, our opponents would have you believe they're acting for the sake of the children. They're not. For the sake of all children, let's put fear aside, close the book on hate and open the door to understanding.

In the throes of a high profile battle in North Carolina there are still many reasons to be hopeful. People are stepping up to say no to discrimination and yes to respect and dignity. Laws like HB2 in North Carolina have taken aim at transgender children, youth and adults, barring them from using restrooms that correspond with their gender identity, and spreading harmful lies about transgender people. Similar legislation has been proposed in several other states as well.

So many people -- from famous musicians and athletes, to business leaders and child advocates and pediatricians, to transgender youth and adults themselves -- are stepping up and demanding that the transgender community be treated with the humanity, respect and dignity they deserve. As our nation faces the iconic question "Which side are you on?" when it comes to transgender equality, more and more people are learning about the issues, are choosing to embrace the humanity of all of us and to act. Folks around the country are watching NC and wanting to know what they can do to join the momentum for change.

One of the early acts of courage contributing to this momentum of leading with love occurred late last year in the small town of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, at a public reading of the children's book I Am Jazz, by transgender youth advocate and HRC Youth Ambassador Jazz Jennings and her co-author Jessica Herthel.

The reading was meant to take place in a local school where a brave six-year-old girl was transitioning. But following legal threats by an anti-LGBT hate group, the reading was cancelled. One parent at the school, Amy Lyle, was devastated. Her children are not transgender, but she had been heartened to hear that they'd be reading the book at school and learning more about transgender people. She was proud of her children's school for working to support all students and to create a more welcoming and respectful climate. So, not one to sit idly by, Amy decided to organize her own reading.

What she thought might be a small group of about 20 people turned into more than 600 families from all across the town showing up to hear the book read by Jessica, and demonstrate their support for the student. The way the Mount Horeb community rallied around this student and her family reminds us what can happen when we lead with love and put people above of our own prejudices. And the momentum has only grown from there.

In January, 25 schools around the nation staged I Am Jazz readings of their own, bringing the support shown in Mount Horeb into their own communities. And this Thursday, April 28, more than 100 people have signed up to host readings in schools, community centers, living rooms, churches and classrooms all across the country.

The readings are sponsored by HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools program, the National Education Association (NEA) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), organizations that all work to ensure children and teachers have access to what they need to thrive in this wonderfully diverse world. We are so incredibly thankful for and inspired by the teachers, the counselors, the librarians -- the moms! -- who have taken up this challenge to lead with love and use these readings to help our kids learn values of inclusion and so much more -- I attended the reading at my son's school -- the kids LOVED the book, and this brave transgender girl's story was a perfect jumping off point for ALL the kids about kindness, respect, courage and more!

As we find ourselves in a very public battle today in places like North Carolina, our opponents would have you believe they're acting for the sake of the children. They're not. For the sake of all children, let's put fear aside, close the book on hate and open the door to understanding. Even if you are far from NC, you can join us in these acts of solidarity and love -- go to a reading, read the book at home with your kids -- if you have grade schooler or the parent of a grade school kid in your life buy them a copy of I Am Jazz or donate it to your local library -- JOIN us in showing that leading with love can be far more contagious than letting fear divide us.

Originally posted in HuffPost on December 6, 2017.