Handing Hate the Microphone

Last updated on: April 21, 2016 at 9:43 am By Erin Wathen

Kansas legislators recently introduced a measure that would require transgender students (at public schools and universities) to use the restrooms corresponding to their gender-at-birth. Other states have similar policies but, of course, Kansas always has to go one-up on these things. So in our state, students who “catch” a classmate using the wrong facility would receive a $2500 settlement. Because, you know, the trauma of it all. I know, ick. A group of student LGBT advocates from one of our local high schools... Read more

7 Ways From Sunday: 7 True Things From 7 Years of Blogging

Last updated on: April 20, 2016 at 12:28 pm By Erin Wathen

Yesterday, I logged into my “back end” blog stuff to edit something and noticed–purely by chance–that I’ve written 499 blog posts. Ever. 499…. That means that this, right here, is my 500th blog post. **Cue fireworks and champagne and fancy outfits!** Actually. Cue coffee in a local dive, a morning of people-watching (my favorite) and rain-day hair. That’s what I’m rocking for this momentous occasion. 7 years ago, I got a free WordPress account and started messing around. I had no... Read more

Only Libraries Can Save Us Now

Last updated on: April 13, 2016 at 9:44 am By Erin Wathen

I did not know that National Library Week was a thing, but I am a fan. Let’s face it, there is a made up holiday for every-damn-thing-ever these days; if Hallmark didn’t dream it up, then Facebook did. So if there is a national pancake day, redhead day, sibling day, and “I used to be in a cool band but now I’m a grown up” day (Ok, maybe my husband made that one up) then libraries deserve a week of their own.... Read more

10 Things Scarier Than a Trans Person In Your Bathroom

Last updated on: April 11, 2016 at 4:35 pm By Erin Wathen

We know better than to read the comments section. But sometimes I can’t help myself. As much as I want to guard myself from the toxic drivel and the deluded persecution complex, I also want to understand what people are so afraid of. North Carolina’s Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act has initiated similar legislation proposals in other states (including Kansas). In short, these measures would dictate that a transgender person must use only the public facilities designated for their biological sex.... Read more

When It’s Complicated, Just Show Up

Last updated on: April 7, 2016 at 12:38 pm By Erin Wathen

A few months ago, my church sensed a call to get involved with refugee ministry. There was so much ugliness coming from all corners of the political world (some corners more than others). There was fear-mongering and moral posturing; there was “othering” and “not those people”-ing. We wanted to offer a voice to counter that inhospitable message. We wanted to embody the radical hope offered by both the gospel and the Constitution. Like compassionate people all over the world, we saw those... Read more

Gaps in History: Talking to Kids About Race and Privilege

Last updated on: April 6, 2016 at 10:02 am By Erin Wathen

My niece–my daughter’s cousin and BFF since birth–is biracial. Together, these girls choreograph synchronized dance routines and wear matching outfits and get identical toys at Christmas. And it has never once occurred to them that there is any difference between them. That to some people’s eyes, they do not look like family. I’ve always been grateful that skin color is not even on the radar for them. Maybe at some level, I thought the depth of that relationship could take the place... Read more

A Change of Heart: Trump, After All

Last updated on: April 1, 2016 at 10:02 am By Erin Wathen

I don’t know, you guys. Maybe they know something we don’t. It’s all starting to make so much sense now… Here’s what I know. I’m tired of being “politically correct.” It’s exhausting trying to be nice all the time, feeling like you need to please everyone. Social change is hard, maybe even impossible. The world has gone to shit, and we all know it. Maybe the best possible solution is to pick a race and class of people who will just... Read more

This is Sunday, All Day Long

Last updated on: March 27, 2016 at 8:30 am By Erin Wathen

What if I told you that you could change the world using only the first 3 things that you touched this morning? For instance… I bet shortly after waking this morning, you touched a cell phone. Turned off the alarm that woke you up. Checked the weather to plan the shoe situation and, oh look at that, it’s SNOWING. On Easter. Maybe you also answered a message or checked the news to see what kind of day it’s going to... Read more

Finished and Forsaken: 7 Last Words in Verse

Last updated on: March 25, 2016 at 9:23 am By Erin Wathen

Our Good Friday service at Saint Andrew this year is all music and poetry–reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ, in spoken verse and song. Below are the poetic reflections written by members of our church family. I’m also providing links to the songs that accompany each word, if you’d like a feel for the whole experience. Spoiler alert: If you’re coming to church tonight, this is the whole service. So if you want a few surprises, skip reading this.... Read more

Go Prepare a Place: Holy Week and Political Trans-Shaming

Last updated on: March 23, 2016 at 10:08 am By Erin Wathen

If you haven’t been following the Kansas politiscape, then you’re welcome. It is a mind-melting, heartbreaking and head-banging-into-the-wall kind of situation, and if you live in another state at the moment, you can thank a Kansan for sparing you the disgusting details of our life right now. The short version is, that this self-proclaimed experiment in Tea Party trickle-down economics is absolutely imploding on itself, but nobody knows how to put the breaks on it without admitting it was a... Read more