"We are prepared to defend the rights of Wisconsinites"
Vol 4, Issue 11: November 2024
Welcome back to the Lighthouse! My wrist that just underwent carpal tunnel release surgery a few weeks ago is healing well, and I’m back to writing up this newsletter. Temperatures are dropping here in Sheboygan, which I am — as usual — unprepared for. Weather reports showing that it’s 25 degrees outside? I’m sure a light jacket will be fine!! At least I always learn my lesson quickly.
Native American Heritage Month is coming to an end, just after the National Day of Mourning. We also passed another Trans Day of Remembrance, which the Trans Remembrance Project marked with another eulogy for the precious lives we’ve lost since last year’s. Given the election results and research confirming what trans women have been saying for decades about transmisogyny, the despair people are feeling this year (especially vulnerable youth) is understandable. But in the face of repression, we shouldn’t follow many Democrats’ lead and abandon the needs of trans people as “too divisive” or whatever their reasoning is today. And we certainly shouldn’t allow TERF Island to consume us. Instead, perhaps we need to push for “revolutionary transsexual maximalism,” as Sarah Harpy puts it, and imagine what, for example, free HRT on demand could look like. It’s well past time we stop asking for crumbs and start demanding (and creating) more.
On the COVID-19 front, wastewater levels still reflect a lull between the typical summer and winter surges, although this doesn’t mean COVID isn’t still infecting people. From a reproductive angle, we’re also getting more evidence on how important it is to stay up to date on COVID vaccines and avoid getting infected. A recent CDC report further confirmed that pregnant people getting vaccinated while pregnant helps their babies avoid more serious cases of COVID infections, for example. The Sick Times also reported on the connections being made between reproductive and fertility issues and COVID infections, which are still not fully understood. The good news is that we also continue to see evidence about how effective face masks are. Any mask is better than no mask, although Forbes breaks down the levels of effectiveness based on type. And of course, staying up to date on your COVID vaccine is also a big help, as well as practicing multiple layers of protection1. As far as other illnesses go, Romper also shared a helpful look at what to expect during RSV season, and STAT gives a clear-eyed view about the current uncertainty about H5N1 (aka bird flu). If you’re struggling with the uncertainty about the latter (especially given the reports of miscommunication and confusion amongst state officials), check out Sharon Astyk’s guide to preparing yourself and your community.
Now, onto the newsletter!
Wisconsin Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in abortion lawsuit
“Planned Parenthood is currently providing abortions at several clinics in Wisconsin, citing a lower court decision. But a ruling from the state’s highest court could provide more finality and clarity about the legal status of abortion in Wisconsin.”
The time has finally come for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to hear arguments in the lawsuit Attorney General Josh Kaul brought in June 2022 after Roe v Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court. As you may recall, this is the lawsuit that is meant to provide clarity around the 19th century Wisconsin law that could be used to make abortions illegal in the state, by both questioning if it really applies to abortion and if later state laws that regulate abortion supersede the older law anyway. While this lawsuit wouldn’t impact the current restrictions Wisconsin has to legally-accepted abortions (such as waiting periods and forced ultrasounds), it would at least clear the first hurdle of ensuring abortion isn’t completely banned via criminalizing abortion providers.
So far, what we’ve heard has been promising. The liberal majority of the State Supreme Court has already been expressing criticism of enforcing the 1849 law, although we won’t have an official ruling for weeks (or even months). But my hope is that we’ll get the confirm we’re looking for that this law isn’t enforceable. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood also has their own lawsuit in the works, although it’s hard to tell what might happen to it depending on how this lawsuit is decided. Their argument goes beyond the one Kaul brought, arguing that a ban on abortion violates our state Constitutional rights. For now, as we wait to see what happens, remember that both Planned Parenthood and Affiliated Medical Services are doing in-clinic abortions, and you can also obtain pills online. You can find more information using sites like INeedanA.com.
See also: You can read a lightly edited transcript of Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul’s interview with Wisconsin Today about the lawsuit on WPR’s website. He also discusses the need to lessen the restrictions we currently have here, which is great to see!
What's Happening at Lakeshore Liberation?
Nothing new to share this time!
What’s Going on in Reproductive Justice
Fisher-Price has recalled all models of its Snuga Swings due to suffocation risks while babies sleep in them. They are also offering a $25 refund to people who purchased them. Per the article, a commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is advising people using this product to fully stop and dispose of them rather than modify it the way Fisher-Price has indicated. (Also be sure to check any car seats you or people you know have purchased, as counterfeits have been detected in stores and online!)
Looking for some inspiration on giving kids more freedom to learn and grow on their own? Romper shares stories and suggestions from parents on how to create more opportunities for kids to enjoy independence.
Did you know that trimesters as we know them were invented by a Supreme Court Justice during the Roe v Wade ruling? Abortion doula Hannah Matthews breaks down why this happened and how it reflects the arbitrary nature of power and control.
Multiple women in Texas — Josseli Barnica, Nevaeh Crain, and Porsha Ngumezi — have died as a direct result of abortion bans.
From Scalawag, another powerful call for the Reproductive Justice movement to full-throatedly support Palestine. And related, Truthout shares an op-ed from Aya Nashwan, a Gazan who was pregnant and gave birth during the on-going genocide.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association has a Wisconsin General Infertility Peer-led Support Group open to people affected by infertility. If you or someone you know would be interested in joining, you can use the sign-up form to get connected.
What’s Going on in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin DNR approved the permits Enbridge needs to reroute Line 5, going against what the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and environmental groups have been calling for. They are now hoping the federal government will deny federal-level approvals to prevent them from moving forward with this dangerous rerouting.
Wisconsin child vaccination rates are down, leaving more children vulnerable to things like measles and whooping cough. While they mention the spread of anti-vaxx pseudoscience, I’m glad they also mention another important factor, which is the availability of healthcare (both having locations people can get to and having them be free/low cost).
Did you know that Wisconsin currently doesn’t allow for an unmarried person to adopt their partner’s child? A libertarian advocacy group is trying to get this ruling overturned, and a representative mentioned that this is likely a relic from before gay marriage was legalized to prevent queer couples from being able to adopt each other’s children — gotta love institutionalized homophobia!2
Many UW students continue to feel the effects of the repression of pro-Palestinian encampments on campus.
Remember how I mentioned in September that Wisconsin Books to Prisoners was forced to stop providing prisoners secondhand books after the DOC stopped allowing used books, claiming it was to prevent drug smuggling into prisons? Wisconsin Watch reports on how this and similar measures that negatively impact prisoners don’t actually lessen drugs getting into prisons, because it’s typically prison staff smuggling it in.
What I've Been Reading
During some recent PTO, I read the book Manhunt. It’s an intense read (it’s a post-apocalyptic horror and involves TERF brigades, so not exactly surprising!), but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to reading her newest book at some point.
From In These Times, a look at “big back panic” aka yet another time when anti-fatness is ramping up. It also specifically calls out the need for fat liberation over watered-down body-positivity, which I appreciate!
I first heard of digital nomads over five years ago and had no idea what it meant until the person who was self-describing with it explained it to me. My understanding after that was that it was simply a term to describe people with more mobile jobs (like freelancers or IT workers) who moved around because their job could move with them, allowing for more freedom to experience different areas without worrying about finding a new job each time. While I still think there are many people for whom that is true, I’m not exactly surprised to learn that the rise in popularity of this lifestyle has come with grifts, exploitation of workers in the Global South, and tax evasion for many others.
What I'm Watching
We’ve been making our way back through The Sinner, after having watched the first three seasons in the past but never the fourth and final one. The first two were just as good — if not better — than I remembered, and we’re currently in season three. This one was always my least favorite of what we’d seen, but I’m finding new ways to appreciate it, especially by making connections between one of the main character’s actions and fascism.
We also re-watched San Junipero, which is always a roller coaster of a watch but managers to jam such an interesting and emotional story into a relatively short episode (it’s only 1 hour and 1 minute!).
What I'm Listening To
I’ve been enjoying Truthout’s Movement Memos podcast, and their recent episode Keeping Each Other Alive: Mental Health and Collective Survival is especially timely.
If you know me, you know I love Reveal and the varied topics they cover. One of their recent podcast extras gives insight into Christian Nationalists and how their egos lead them, from a man who formally was one and now opposes the movement.
From Death Panel’s series of recorded 2024 Socialism Conference events they did, another great talk about co-hosts Jules’ newest book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny.
All My Relations is back! Their first episode of season 5 is Sacred Manhood with Dallas Goldtooth — yes, that Dallas Goldtooth!
Places to Donate To & Actions to Take
During a mental health crisis, Kevin Price was shot by police and died days later in the hospital, before his family was ever notified. As they seek justice for his death, they are looking for community support for funeral expenses. Please contribute if you can and share with your network!
While Making Spirits Bright is approaching, the Sheboygan County Food Bank needs support now to help keep people and families in our community fed. Check out their list of most needed items and how to donate in this article from the Sheboygan Press.
Join Wisconsin Books to Prisoners in demanding they be allowed to send used books again!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Feel free to share them below or contact me directly.
Did you know the flu shot this year is missing a strain of influenza that had been part of it for over a decade because COVID mitigations were so effective that they allowed that strain to die out? If not, now you do!
That’s sarcasm, in case it wasn’t obvious!