Melissa Cynova Hey, June,
Sigh.
This month has come in rough, after several rough months. It’s not my place to speak to what’s going on in the Black Lives Matters movement, but to lift up Black voices and help where I can. SO – I am still going to raise money this month for the Trans Community, but also for the Bail Project of St. Louis.
Listen, I can’t march (asthma) and I can’t give as much as I’d like, but what I CAN do is direct money and attention to two local groups that do good work for the folks on the margins. While praying for a time when NO one is on the margin.
A University of Washington study showed that transgender kids raised as their identified gender will hit all healthy development milestones. Showing that it was “Virtually impossible to tell trans subjects from cisgender counterparts”.
Now that’s some news I can get behind.
This month, I’m going to be raising money for the Metro Trans Umbrella Group. This group works to create a more inclusive and supportive community in St. Louis. Every dollar donated goes to improve and maintain facilities, create and generate support groups and move the community forward.
I have family members, friends, and clients who identify as trans, and I will always and forever support this community.
The St. Louis Bail Project “National Revolving Bail Fund is on a mission to combat mass incarceration and reshape the pretrial system in the United States. 100% of online donations are used to bring people home. Since bail money comes back to us when cases close, we’re able to recycle every dollar donated at least twice per year.”
SO – if you send me your receipt of donation to the Metro Trans Umbrella Group OR The Bail Project– along with your mailing address, I will send you a little something in the mail along with my thanks. Email these to hello@melissacynova.com.
These kids and adults deserve our respect, support, and all of the safety we can provide. Make me proud, guys!
ALSO – I was asked about decks and books made by Black creators. Asali Earthworks over on Twitter has an amazing list that I constantly refer to. Check her out!
Xo Lis