A 12-year-old Wrote A Book You Should Read
A 12-year-old Wrote A Book You Should Read
Trans activist Kai Shappley has been profiled in everything from ABC News to Vogue. Now she's the one telling a story. Plus: Showdown time for Biden and McCarthy. And: Oh, those Bud Light woes.
Good morning and thanks for rising up this Tuesday, May 9, 2023! If you’re looking for a great but short yarn to read, learn about the exploits of Colonel Thomas Blood, the Irishman who on this day in 1671 attempted a criminal act against the British monarchy so audacious that King Charles II pardoned him.
The FDA approved birth control pills, aka “The Pill,” on this day in 1960.
And on this day in 1971, the last original episode of The Honeymooners aired. The original 1950s series, starring Jackie Gleason as bus driver Ralph Kramden, Art Carney as Ed Norton, Audrey Meadows as Alice Kramden and Joyce Randolph as Trixie Norton, ran for only 39 episodes and is considered TV comedy gold, but it is also an anachronism for how it treated domestic violence as a punchline. CBS News has a retrospective of the series here.
And away we go…
Here Now the News:
DEBT CEILING SHOWDOWN: President Joe Biden is to meet with both Republican leaders Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell, as well as Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.—CNBC
SHOULD U.S. GET RID OF DEBT CEILING? The Guardian
THE “BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OPTION:” THE 14th AMENDMENT —MSNBC
WE’RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE TEXAS MALL GUNMAN: The U.S. Army reject researched when the mall was busiest, got tattoos celebrating the Nazi Party and was fascinated by white supremacy. —CBS News
TWO SISTERS AMONG THE 8 DEAD: They were in 2nd and 4th grade. —ABC News
A SIX YEAR-OLD BOY IS THE ONLY MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY TO SURVIVE: KABC
IT’S GOTTEN THIS BAD: The leading Texas newspaper has an article titled, “WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION?” —Dallas Morning News
A MUST-READ OP-ED FROM NASHVILLE, TENN., WHERE EVEN REPUBLICANS SAY “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH:” The New York Times
TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE RESIGNS AFTER SEX SCANDAL: Let’s do a quick check, shall we? Bryan Slaton, 45, is a Republican✅, a former youth minister✅, cisgender, straight, married father✅ and the boss✅ of the 19-year-old woman he gave booze and then had sex with. —New York Post
Tell me again about the dangers trans people and drag queens pose to youth? I’ll wait.
PAKISTAN ARRESTS FORMER PRIME MINISTER ON HIS WAY TO COURT TO FACE CORRUPTION CHARGES: BBC
JUDGE IN HUSH MONEY CASE ORDERS DONALD TRUMP TO NOT POST “EVIDENCE” ON SOCIAL MEDIA; NBC News
APOLOGIZE? LACHLAN MURDOCH? NOT BLOODY LIKELY: NPR
MOUNTAINEERS COACH APOLOGIZES FOR SLURS: “All those fags, those Catholic fags,” said West Virginia State University Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins, during a radio interview, in which he was asked about Xavier University. He issued a statement of apology within hours of those comments:
“Earlier today on a Cincinnati radio program, I was asked about the rivalry between my former employer, the University of Cincinnati, and its crosstown rival, Xavier University.
“During the conversation, I used a completely insensitive and abhorrent phrase that there is simply no excuse for — and I won’t try to make one here.
“I deeply apologize to the individuals I have offended, as well as to the Xavier community, the University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University.
“As I have shared with my players over my 40 years coaching, there are consequences for our words and actions, and I will fully accept any coming my way. I am ashamed and embarrassed and heartbroken for those I have hurt. I must do better, and I will.”
The university condemned Huggins’ comments and said in a statement, “The situation is under review and will be addressed by the university and its athletics department.” —CNN
Health and Wealth News
WORLD’S FIRST RSV VACCINE APPROVED: Sciencealert
TESTING FINDS “FOREVER CHEMICALS” IN PESTICIDES USED IN U.S. FOOD SUPPLY: The Guardian
TOO MANY MEN ARE BEING SCREENED FOR PROSTATE CANCER: That’s a problem, reports The New York Times, because a new study finds most men have low-risk cancers and rarely benefit from treatment. Actively monitoring the condition is often the best choice. —NYT
JAMIE FOXX’S “MEDICAL COMPLICATION” REMAINS A SECRET: Even movie stars have a right to privacy. —CNN
GOLDMAN SACHS TO PAY $215 MILLION TO SETTLE GENDER PAY EQUITY CASE: Wall Street Journal
THE LIST OF WALMART STORES SET TO CLOSE: en.as
BUD LIGHT BEER SALES TANKING, DOWN 26% FOLLOWING BOYCOTT OVER TRANS INFLUENCER DYLAN MULVANEY’S PROMOTIONAL TIKTOK VIDEO: St. Louis Today
TransWorld
KAI SHAPPLEY WROTE A BOOK: Joy to the World, a novel co-written with former New Hampshire State Rep. Lisa Bunker, is the first book by the 12-year-old transgender activist from Texas. It’s a work of fiction based on her own experiences living authentically and in activism.
Kai has been advocating for transgender rights since she was 5-years-old and has been profiled by Vogue, Vice News and so many other outlets.
Last year, her mother sold their home and belongings and moved Kai and her brother Kaleb to Connecticut, because of anti-trans policies and laws in their home state.
I wrote about the family for Connecticut Voice when they were honored by the magazine with its inaugural Profiles In Courage Award last fall.
Here’s how Bunker describes Joy to the World:
“Joy, a twelve-year-old trans girl, just moved to Texas with her mother and older brother. Her family has accepted Joy as the girl she is early in her transition, with little fuss, leaving Joy to explore her love of sports, competition, teamwork, school spirit, and worship. But when she is told she’s off the cheerleading team, Joy wants to fight for her right to cheer. As her battle with the school board picks up momentum, Joy attracts support from kids all around the country… she even gets the attention of her hero, trans activist Kai Shappley.”
Here is an exclusive excerpt from Joy to the World, in which Joy’s mother gets that phone call about being kicked off the cheer team:
For a moment the three members of the Simmons family looked silently at each other around the table. Joy was crying. She already knew. Mom’s eyes were wet too, and even Will looked unusually sad and subdued. Mom got up, came around the table, and pulled Joy up into a hug. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” Through her tears, Joy said, “I’m off the team?” Mom made a sympathy face and nodded. “Because I’m trans?” Mom pressed her lips together and nodded again. Joy felt like her heart was being ripped out of her body. She wailed, clutched her mother, and dissolved into sobs. When the first stormy minute had passed, she looked up with a tear-streaked face and said, “Can they do that? Can they really do that?” “I’m not sure, sweetheart, but Principal Davis said there’s a law that says that student athletes in Texas have to be on the team that aligns with their sex assigned at birth.” “That’s not fair!”
Purchase Joy to the World at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and bookstores near you!
TEXAS A.G. INVESTIGATING HOSPITALS SUSPECTED OF PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE TO CHILDREN: Associated Press
A WHOLE ARTICLE FULL OF “JUST ASKING QUESTIONS” COMMENTS FROM READERS ABOUT “THE GENDER DEBATE” IS LATEST EXAMPLE OF SUPPORT FOR TRANSPHOBIA: The Atlantic
RULES UNDER REVIEW AFTER TRANS CYCLIST AUSTIN KILLIPS WON A WOMEN’S RACE: A.P.
OMGnews
THIS IS NOT THE WAY: MARK HAMILL MOBBED BY UNRULY STAR WARS FANS #TheDownsideOfCelebrity is how the actor described the scene in which he was poked in the head by autograph seekers. —CBR and YouTube
Star Trek Corner
STRANGE NEW WORLDS SEASON 3 DROPS OUT OF WARP BECAUSE OF WRITERS STRIKE: Trek Central
PICARD SHOWRUNNER TERRY MATALAS ON HOW TODD STASHWICK’S “LIAM SHAW” COULD RETURN: Comicbook.com
15 STORYLINES THAT WE COULD SEE IF STAR TREK LEGACY IS GREENLIT: Screenrant
VOYAGER’S GARRETT WANG REVEALS “CAPTAIN HARRY KIM” HAD A BIG PART IN PICARD… UNTIL IT WAS CUT: Screenrant
HOW TO VIEW EVERY SEASON OF EVERY STAR TREK SERIES: Click here to subscribe to Paramount+
That’s all for today! I’ll be back tomorrow with more news to help you rise up and start your day. Until then… May your news be good news!
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