A few weeks ago, I asked you what you’ve learned from Amplify Respect. I was blown away by your answers - inspired, educated, and moved by the experiences and stories you shared.
I'd love to share some of what you told me, in your own words.
If you value what I'm building here with Amplify Respect, please consider becoming a Champion and supporting my work at $180/year. I'm looking for 10 Champions by December 1st in order to continue this work.
And if you can't contribute financially, sharing with someone else also helps a lot. I really appreciate everyone who has shared the newsletter with a friend!
A huge thank you to Kaitlyn Arford of Freelance Opportunities who shared our newsletter subscriber drive in a post for paid subscribers. I highly recommend Kaitlyn's incredibly helpful newsletter connecting freelancers with work opportunities. (Not a sponsored shout-out - just two publishers appreciating each other's work.)
And here are some of the lovely things you shared. I'm keeping them anonymous to protect privacy, and I've lightly edited for clarity.
What you've learned from Amplify Respect, in your own words
Finding hope
"This newsletter has really helped me hang onto hope. I’m early on in my transition and feeling really alone and scared in my small, conservative town. This letter is a comforting sight in my inbox knowing that I get the opportunity to hear someone else’s story and get the feeling that I’m not alone."
"In a world where it feels like hate and fear is constantly being pushed on us, it means the world to me to find little spots of light like this newsletter."
Learning about gender
"I learned how to make introductions less awkward. I don't have to say who she is to me (son or daughter); I can just say that I'm her mother."
"I've had a lot of questions about LGBTQ+ people that often go unanswered especially in understanding my own relationship to gender norms as well as the ones that I was taught growing up."
"How I think about gender is mostly a secret. I read the newsletter to try to figure out what is actually normal, because I think society wants us to think that having other gender views is weird or abnormal."
Building empathy through stories
"The newsletter helped me to be less judgmental of people, and more understanding of who they are."
"When I first started to read Amplify Respect a few years ago, I was checking out at Whole Foods and noticed near me a pair of really long legs in a black leotard and a cute miniskirt. I looked wayyy up. The person was beautifully dressed, great hair and makeup, and looked like a guy. I instantly gave them a smile, no words were exchanged, and they smiled back. I felt like I had at that moment graduated from being judgmental to understanding."
"I'm a cis white woman. I have many LGBTQ+ family and friends. My support of these fine people is unquestioning. What I lack is the lived experience of my friends and family. Amplify Respect allows me to continue to learn about LGBTQ+ experiences, how I can help, and, just as importantly what is not helpful (i.e., what an uninformed person can do or say that is unintentionally hurtful)."
"I think that it's really easy to want to categorize people rather than looking at the person. It's hard not to stereotype based on body types. I like how the newsletter encourages people to really consider the human behind the stereotype."
Another source of info besides trans family members
"We have a trans son who we love unconditionally. But this is all new to us and we are trying to understand. We don’t want to have to have our son be our only guide (it’s exhausting for him). Your newsletter gives me insight to things I never thought of and also gives a window into some of what our son might be experiencing, recognizing of course that everyone’s experience is different. It is therapeutic to hear stories that reflect our own. Your story about bathrooms resonated."
"My child came out to my husband and me about six months ago as trans/nonbinary. Her new preferred pronouns are she/they, and she has a new name. We fully support her decision, but it's still an education for us. Your newsletter has been helpful. She's about the same age as you."
Learning about hormones
"I learned recently that hormones can actually affect whether someone looks more male or female."
"I really enjoyed the article about intersex ducks! I had no idea that they have only one ovary and can experience such changes if that ovary is damaged or otherwise stops normal hormone function. I’ve recently been on a journey of trying to watch my hormone cycle to try to better understand how much that affects my mood and more. Learning about how much of a role ovaries play in hormone production/regulation from these ducks made me further question how much mine are affecting my everyday life."
Intentional spending and support within the queer community
"Representation and visibility matter, and I love looking at the businesses you highlight, and I keep my eye out for those who I can support via my spending habits. I value this newsletter quite a bit."
"Intentional spending is a good way to support hardworking, valuable humans who may struggle because of society's prejudice."
"I never consider your newsletter to be "junk." Your emails go straight to my main inbox. :)"
"You are very fund-able!"
Become a Champion
Speaking of funding...if you are at all able to, please consider becoming a Champion by December 1st.
Champions support Amplify Respect at $180/year, and anyone who joins by December 1st gets a 1:1 call with me. The first Champion has already joined!
I know it feels like we're all passing the same $20 around within the queer community, and I'm not trying to lean on folks if it would not be comfortable for them to support financially.
For those who do regularly spend money on art, culture, and education, please become a Champion to keep this newsletter going and allow me to grow our audience and reach even more people who need this community and empathy.
Will you be my Champion?
