[Susan Pile]

Hi Caleb,

Thanks for naming what a lot of people are feeling. The impact of state legislation is especially harmful right now. 

For those that will be in Boston at the annual conference, we’ve identified the impact of state legislation as one of our “hot topic” roundtables to give participants space to share, process, and understand how campuses and student unions are navigating this difficult environment for staff and students. 

Sending hugs to you!

Susan

Susan L. Pile
Senior Director, University Unions and Auxiliary Services
University of Michigan
734-936-0869

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 1/24/2023 9:53:00 PM
From: Caleb Eubanks
Subject: Legislation…

Hi folks! 
I don’t know about you, but I’m TIRED. I’m WORN OUT. I’m FRUSTRATED. Going into today, Missouri had 20% of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills to have been filed across the country so far this session and we’re not even at the end of January. The number has since dropped to 16% due to other legislation being filed today – including four more in Missouri. I left work a little early today to watch the hearing for EIGHT of those bills. I’m typing this FOUR AND A HALF HOURS into questioning and testimonies of people for and against these bills. According to the ACLU, there are 185 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed across this country so far. I can’t say I know what to do – I’m struggling over here myself outside of calling my representatives and flooding their emails. I will say though if you want to vent, please reach out and we can set a time to vent together. I haven’t been able to sift through all bills across the country, but there’s a chance some of these will impact us, our students or even our families, so maybe we can help each other come up with ways to fight and support the ones we love and care for.

To others who may be in my shoes with frustration, I’m sending you all the hugs and high fives and whatever you prefer as we will overcome somehow someway. 

All the love to you all,

——————————
Caleb Eubanks (he/him/his)
Union Marketing & Communication Manager
University of Central Missouri
eubanks@ucmo.edu
——————————

[Stacey Givens]

Caleb,
Hey there my friend. Thank you for this post. I started one regarding what is occurring in Florida (CRT, DEI, so-called “Queer Theory”) and I stopped. It was simply too much to process. I cannot write fast enough to address legislation that rewrites, removes, or redefines history. Our nation is at a pivotal moment. Voting is essential; it is our voice, our right, and our greatest mechanism to drive the changes we want to see.?

Be well,

——————————
Stacey Givens
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Senior Diversity Officer
ACUI
Bloomington IN
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 01-24-2023 21:52
From: Caleb Eubanks
Subject: Legislation…

Hi folks!?
I don’t know about you, but I’m TIRED. I’m WORN OUT. I’m FRUSTRATED. Going into today, Missouri had 20% of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills to have been filed across the country so far this session and we’re not even at the end of January. The number has since dropped to 16% due to other legislation being filed today – including four more in Missouri. I left work a little early today to watch the hearing for EIGHT of those bills. I’m typing this FOUR AND A HALF HOURS into questioning and testimonies of people for and against these bills. According to the ACLU, there are 185 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed across this country so far. I can’t say I know what to do – I’m struggling over here myself outside of calling my representatives and flooding their emails. I will say though if you want to vent, please reach out and we can set a time to vent together. I haven’t been able to sift through all bills across the country, but there’s a chance some of these will impact us, our students or even our families, so maybe we can help each other come up with ways to fight and support the ones we love and care for.

To others who may be in my shoes with frustration, I’m sending you all the hugs and high fives and whatever you prefer as we will overcome somehow someway.?

All the love to you all,

——————————
Caleb Eubanks (he/him/his)
Union Marketing & Communication Manager
University of Central Missouri
eubanks@ucmo.edu
——————————