Welcome to the first of many columns on The Lavender Newsletter! In this What We're Reading column, you get a bit of writing from me (Jada Fulcher, Editor-in-Chief of The Lavender Newsletter), and then some news/books/movies/media in general that we've been reading! It will range from stuff we just think folks will find fun to see to news from other news sites that we feel in important to share. This is our first weekly column, so we hope you enjoy!

Small Acts of Resistance

This week in news has had me thinking about pops of resistance. As we dive further into fascism in this country, we have to pay attention to these small moments of resistance because they are reminders of all the people who are fighting for something better. As you read these stories, think about the ways that you are active in your community, and if you're not very active then how you can be. And I mean this in a reactionary way to unexpected harms as well as in the long term ways that communities need support. When something locally happens that threatens marginalized groups, then take a decisive stand and get loud! That said, also continue doing work in the in-between, because there are long running institutional harms that fail the marginalized every day. So work in your community garden or throw that rent party, there are so many things you can do to directly support your community to address institutional harms that have persisted for forever.

What We're Reading

Even at the grocery store, Texas troopers don’t let Democrats out of sight after walkout (AP News): If you haven't been following the Texas Democrats protest, this is your moment to officially catch up. As Texas Dems returned to the Lone Start state after their two week protest of the mid-decade redistricting vote, GOP leaders in Texas have sought to make sure that doesn't happen again. More info in the article on these tactics and the affects they're having on their Dem lawmakers, but we should all be informed about what's happening there because their redistricting chaos will affect us all. - Jada
In break with current CDC recommendations, leading pediatrics group recommends Covid-19 shots for young children (CNN): For those keeping an eye on what's happening with public health and policy, this is an article worth reading. As RFK Jr tries to push his anti-vax agenda, it's important for the rest of us to pay attention to the news and decisions made directly my physicians and their associations. The American Academy of Pediatrics knows a lot more about vaccines and health than RFK Jr and Trump's other cronies, so don't be afraid to go directly to the source for your health information! - Jada
Billboard for Proud Boys hate group removed in southern Illinois after public pressure (Capitol News Illinois): This is a great story to read when thinking about small moments of resistance in your local community. A billboard advertising the right wing extremist organization the Proud Boys was put up in the southern Illinois town of Breese, and this story covers the communities reaction (thankfully they did not like it) and what was done to take it down. This is a story of decisive action in response to local threats to marginalized folks, and that's a great thing. - Jada

Thanks for reading! You can look forward to this column every Friday to hear more about what the writers and creators of The Lavender Newsletter are reading! At the very least it'll be me, but as we continue onward expect more recs from other writers and contributors you'll see on the site. Happy Friday <3