Protect This Kid

 

This is the kid. The kid in an elementary grade reading group. The kid in an after school ballet class. The kid playing catch at recess. The kid picking books at the library. The kid in Saturday soccer.

If you have children you see and even know this kid. They don’t mysteriously appear in high school or college. They have been there all along. They ate snack in kindergarten, went to birthday parties, enjoyed countless playdates with your kid. They are classmates, neighbors, friends. They might be your kid. 

Protect this kid.

Image from Protect This Kid campaign*

GLAAD and Ogilvy Launch “Protect This Kid” Campaign in Support of LGBTQ Youth, Allison Bloom, GLAAD

This quote from GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis jumped out at me:

For too long, anti-LGBTQ activists have not only spouted lies by falsely claiming that LGBTQ people are threats to children, but they have erased the existence of LGBTQ youth and their need for content that they can relate to and be inspired by. Ogilvy has helped us fill that critical gap with a timely campaign that harnesses the power of celebrity voices and the lived experience of queer trailblazers to support youth.

The queer adults we celebrate and revere were once kids, too, and through this campaign we remind the world that when we take away the rights of LGBTQ young people, and deny them safety, compassion, and privacy, we risk losing the next great entertainer, or athlete or author. Queer and trans kids need our support now, before it’s too late.

It’s absolutely true. Queer and trans kids need our support now, before it’s too late. And I’d definitely encourage you to check out Protect This Kid on Instagram and watch the short videos released as a part of this campaign. But we don’t need to care about them because they might grow up to be great entertainers, athletes, or authors. We do need to stop and think about the gravity of so much potential lost.

Here’s the thing:

We need to Protect This Kid not because some might grow up to be “special” but because all kids are inherently precious. Therefore the acceptance and celebration of This Kid - - just as they are - - does nothing to harm or hinder any other kids. It teaches them that we, as adults, believe in and will work for a world where love can lift everyone up. No one is erased or excluded. 

I would argue that not believing in and working for that creates a world that is more dangerous for all kids. (And adults.)

Have you heard that we will soon be electing new members of the Howard County Board of Education?

I’m working my way through the CARY BOE Candidate 2024 Survey Results  right now with those thoughts uppermost in my mind. 

Here’s a little snapshot.

Out of twelve candidates for the Board of Education, four did not even respond to the CARY survey. That’s right, fully one third just didn’t bother. That’s a huge tell. I haven’t finished reading all of the responses but this much is clear from the get-go: if you are seeking higher office with a goal of caring for all of our kids, it’s a complete deal breaker if you aren’t willing to Protect This Kid.

The mission of public education is to support all children and their growth and learning with an understanding of their needs and abilities. It is not possible to say you support public education if you intend to carve out specific groups of children and say that their growth and learning may be neglected, ignored, or downright hindered. Public education is for everyone. 

The LGBTQ community isn't a threat. Misinformation and hatred are. Everyone deserves to be safe from harm and the freedom to be who they are. - -  Protect This Kid

Village Green/Town² Comments

*This particular Kid is actress and performer Beanie Feldstein. And this is her story.