Southern Legal Counsel, Inc.’s Post

The conference will look at three main topics: 1)maternity, birthing and early parenthood 2)mental health challenges and outcomes 3)diversity in research, science and health https://lnkd.in/g4YswsTV

On Wednesday, I woke up to a flood of messages from friends, family, and community members expressing pain and fear over the impact of another Trump presidency. We all stand to be affected by this, especially LGBTQ+ communities, parents of trans and gender-expansive (TGX+) youth, women, communities of color, people with disabilities, and more. I know that many of you, like me, feel afraid, uncertain, and are grieving this week. It’s important that we hold space for our grief, rage, and fear as we consider what we will do moving forward. During a phone call, a friend reminded me that generations of leaders have faced, fought against, and made progress under oppressive systems. Looking to our ancestors for guidance, we can draw on their wisdom for how to care for ourselves and each other as we fight forward. One such ancestor is Audre Lorde, who reminded us that: ✊ “Revolution is not a one-time event.” 🫂 “Without community, there is no liberation.” 🍃 “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” This weekend, I encourage you to care for yourself and connect with others as we continue to process this news. Here are three ways to care for yourself and your community right now: 1. Attend gathering spaces to be in community with others who are processing: https://lnkd.in/gkPU5jB6 2. Check in on colleagues, friends, and loved ones, offering space to grieve and be heard. 3. Access and share mental health resources, including crisis hotlines: https://lnkd.in/g_PdFPw4 Please use this post to share additional resources in the comments. Take care, move slowly, and remember to hold space for all you are feeling.

💚Find out how disability research is conducted in Africa through this article by Dr. Callista Kahonde and Professor Gubela Mji, both at the FMHS. The authors highlight trends in disability research, the critical role of AfriNEAD in fostering evidence-based policies, and key areas that need greater attention, like economic empowerment and South-South collaborations. Discover how this research can drive real change for inclusion and equality. Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/CpnW50UkHlK

Throughout my doctoral studies, I have encountered recurring patterns of shock, frustration, and pain that have significantly impacted my personal and professional experience as a researcher, and unfortunately, this week is no exception. Alongside these very heavy emotions, I've also found moments of profound learning, resilience, and growth that have shaped my understanding and commitment to my work. I began this journey amidst a global pandemic. Over the past three years and five months, I have intentionally taken the time to develop this work to manage my health and well-being. I have been acutely aware that the academic narrative often suggests that we must "publish or perish," reinforcing white supremacist, capitalist, sexist, and ableist dynamics deeply embedded in the structural and systemic fabrics of society. This work is a labour of love. It provides me with the privilege of space and time for reflection, which I do not take for granted. It has also allowed me to connect with Black Caribbean women across the country to learn more about their experiences accessing and navigating sexual and reproductive healthcare in the UK. While some of my findings may feel heavy and frustrating to read or hear, I believe they are crucial in understanding the lived realities of Black Caribbean women. Alongside these challenging moments, you will also find bursts of joy, inspiration, and reverence for how Black Caribbean women have built, grown, and established communities to access the support they need to maintain their sexual well-being. I hope that those who engage with my work become informed, empowered, and motivated to create change towards a more equitable world that honours and respects the experiences of Black Caribbean women, alongside all other marginalised and racialised groups. If we can develop systems that meet the needs of those most affected by inequalities, we can make a better world for everyone. Here's a link to my latest podcast feature on "The S Word," BHA for Equality, where I discuss my journey, learnings, and hopes for the future: https://lnkd.in/eZHkwi34 Following Hurricane Beryl, I recently created a GoFundMe page to raise money for my local community in Grove Town, Jamaica. Every little bit helps: https://lnkd.in/eF8T5GNF

Held annually from April 11-17, Black Maternal Health Week (#BMHW24) is a week-long campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (@blackmamasmatter) to build awareness, activism, and community, while amplifying the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black birthing people. The week is intentionally held during National Minority Health Month and begins on April 11 to join dozens of global organizations in marking that day as the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights – an opportunity to advocate for the worldwide elimination of maternal mortality. The activities and conversations hosted throughout the week intentionally center the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements. Black individuals of marginalized genders (MaGe) have always been the guide and bridge for families, communities, movements, and waves of change. The time is now to invest in the advancement in the movement for racial and birth justice. The historical atrocities we work against are deeply rooted in racial and reproductive oppression bent on controlling Black liberation and must be countered with community activation and prioritizing Black birthing people across the African Diaspora. Today, we encourage you to get back to the roots of reproductive justice, echoing the call to #FundBlackMamas, and mobilize capital for Black maternal health. Guide your contributions with the comprehensive policy agenda, "Black Mamas Matter: In Policy and Practice": https://lnkd.in/gq8eiuZB

Link to "Motherhood so White" Webinar Now Available, Did you miss our book talk with Nefertiti Austin, author of Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America. We explored topics such as race and adoption, Black motherhood, single moms by choice, and the importance of building community for adopted children. Listen here! https://lnkd.in/d64fnzuR

12,000 registrations and over 3,500 live attendees at our panel event this afternoon for Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Honoured to be in such wonderful company as panel Chair and CEO of Black SEN Mamas Marsha Martin, speaking about the layered masking experiences of black autistic women and girls, Ione Georgakis speaking about Tourettes and tics, Ellie Thompson speaking about neurodiversity at work, Disability Student Allowance and Access to Work and Lola Kneller speaking about advocacy work supporting families of neurodivergent children as well as adverse health experiences as a black autistic women. So much to learn. So much to change - as long as we are trying to change the environment and the system not the neurodivergent person. Also really important to highlight the intersectionality of experience on our panel and in life. While it's hard to get recognised as autistic/neurodivergent as a female, and it's even harder as a black or brown female with all the extra cultural, societal and attitudinal barriers that entails. It's also harder for LGBQTIA+ autistic people for similar reasons and all of this needs more attention. The recording will be available on the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website - do have a listen. #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #autism #neurodiversity

Transgender Day of Remembrance honors the transgender and non-binary people lost to violence and discrimination each year. Today, we hold space for grief, memories, and resilience. At Defend Yourself, we believe in the transformative power of self-care and community care as forms of empowerment and liberation. Take time today to care for yourself, however that looks for you. Whether that's taking a mental health day, joining a mutual aid event, reaching out to loved ones, or simply stepping back from social media, remember that nurturing your well-being is not only valid but essential. Take this day as you need, whether with hope, grief, neither, or both — it's all okay. And know we stand with you.  To learn skills for resisting verbal and physical violence, join us for a class. Trans and non-binary people are welcome in every class, and we have classes solely for them, led by Defend Yourself teachers who share those identities.  If you're interested in finding community in like-minded folks, join us for our next Get Empowered Book Circle this Sunday, where you can share your experiences, connect with others, and learn practical strategies for protecting your well-being in a less-than-perfect world. RSVP now at https://lnkd.in/gJtuYy2d. --- Want to feel safer and more confident? Get Empowered with DefendYourself.org.  We're an empowerment self-defense organization teaching in D.C. and around the country. Learn to assert yourself, set boundaries, and protect yourself and your peace. Be You. Be Safe. DefendYourself.org

When considering ways to create an inclusive environment for families, it's important to consider their unique set of identities. professionals working with children and families must expand their knowledge, practices, and policies to sensitively and effectively meet their needs. In particular, families with sexual minority parents, families built through adoption, and multiracial families have increased in prevalence. Dive into the ABCs of Diversity and Inclusion: https://bit.ly/4e5rpuQ

Thrilled to share my article, recently published in New Area Studies Journal. Check out "Building Our Families: Navigating Barriers in 2SLGBTQ+ Family Building Through Doula Supports" We know that queer and transgender people face barriers when starting families (limited access to information, a lack of diverse donor options, and minority stress, to name a few). This article highlights the role of fertility doulas in offering tailored support and advocacy to help 2SLGBTQ+ individuals navigate healthcare systems. It calls for better training for healthcare providers and systemic reforms to ensure more inclusive family-building experiences. Starting from the lens of reproductive justice and the need to centralize community support and peer advocacy, it supports the need for a holistic and evidence-based approach to improving the physical and mental health of 2SLGBTQ+ parents and their families. https://lnkd.in/gSnfKvWY