Thursday, March 30, 5-6pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 is a day dedicated to celebrating transgender people, recognizing their contributions to society, and raising awareness about the discrimination they face. In this installment of Meetup Live’s “Dismantling Social Injustice” (DSI) series, we’re holding a panel discussion on pressing issues within the trans community.

Hear from panelists Hope Giselle, author and activist; Mandy Giles, advocate and parent of two transgender adults; and Ryan Sallans, international speaker and author, about current anti-trans legislation and its effects as well as its historical roots. Learn about ways to advocate for trans rights and protections. Stick around for a question-and-answer session at the end.

Agenda:

• Introductions (5 minutes)

• Fireside Chat (40 minutes)

• Question-and-answer session (15 minutes)

RSVP for this event by using this link.

Hosted by Meetup Live.

“Chief Drake said it was too early to discuss a possible motive for the shooting, though he confirmed that the attack was targeted. The authorities were reviewing writings, and had made contact with the shooter’s father. . . .”

Yeah, they’ll figure it out.

The latest mass shooting: Six people dead, including three 9-year-old children, at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. The alleged shooter, age 28 – a former student at Covenant – stomped into the school on March 27 carrying (God bless America) two semi-automatic rifles and a handgun. He/she, apparently transgender, was eventually shot dead by police.

In other news . . .

I write in sadness but with admiration and memories of pleasure. I am of an age. I dedicated my 2022 book, Searching for Literacy, to four scholar/friends who I knew well for between 25 and more than 50 years. I published obituaries for two of them, and dedicated earlier books to former adviser and professors, and two doctoral graduates who died tragically prematurely.

I write to remember for myself, his Columbus Free Press family, former students, and beloved family Jack (John K.) Hartman, since 2015 the Media Insider columnist.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 6:00 PM
Ohio recently enacted the nation's strictest voter ID law, and it will already be in effect for our May primary and Early Vote beginning April 4.

The Ohio Voter Rights Coalition is teaming up with VoteRiders to deliver timely and important voter ID information and assistance directly to voters who may be impacted by the new law.  We need your help to ensure that every voter has the ID they need to cast a ballot that counts. Join us as we write letters to individuals who have voted with alternative ID in the past so they know their options when it comes to obtaining a free ID or voting by mail.  Every letter we send delivers essential information and assistance to the voters most likely to be disenfranchised by voter ID laws.  

Location:  Columbus Metropolitan Library, Northern Lights Branch, 4093 Cleveland Ave., Columbus.  

The first ever City Council district election is in November and roughly half the candidates met last night in a forum, not a debate, at the First Church of God on Refugee Road. The local chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, which is often referred to as an “organization of organizations” of African American women, sponsored the event.

The mayoral and Columbus Board of Education candidates were also invited. Mayoral candidate Joe Motil took the stage to field questions from the audience, but Mayor Ginther did not show.

Council President Shannon Hardin, running in District 9 (Far East), was in attendance but did not take the stage to field questions. Both Councilmembers Shayla Favor, running in District 7 (downtown and Near East), and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, running in District 8 (Southside and Southeast), were not in attendance or did not take the stage. Melissa Green, running in District 6 (Hilltop and Southwest), was in attendance but due to time constraints and because her district is uncontested, she was not asked to take questions on stage.