My Autistic Voice & My News Media Experience

I am not sure if any of my readers or viewers of my videos saw me on tv, heard me on the radio or read my quotes (in various articles) but I wanted to talk about what it’s like being an outspoken advocate with a much wider reach. 

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It can be exhausting, exhilarating and rewarding.

On one hand, I feel privileged and fortunate to have that kind of platform but on the other hand it required a lot of masking and time to emotionally decompress. I also wanted to mention that I did not rehearse anything I said. Everything was on the spot and completely spontaneous.  

If anyone is wondering how this came about: Twitter. I get pretty outraged about things and I find that it seems to be a platform with a very receptive audience. I can’t recall what was the first media source that alerted me to the whole Laurie Guerra/AutismBC issue, but, as a member of the community where she is presently serving, I felt as though it was my duty, not only as a civilian but as an Autistic person, to throw my feedback in to the mix. I was heard. WE (the autistic community) were heard. It’s not okay to serve one group of marginalized people and then say negative things about a curriculum that is supposed to teach school-aged children acceptance and awareness for those who are LGBTQ2+.

Any time I see a pertinent issue, I try to get involved, amplify the message of those who are allies, friends & the Autistic community. I feel fortunate that I have found a purpose. There is hope and strength in our message that comes through our activism. 

This can not happen again. We will not be dissuaded.


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On a much lighter note

These are my TOP FIVE favourite Cat videos. I figured i’d mix it up a little bit and infuse a little bit of humour on my blog. Enjoy!

Radio Interview & Update

Here’s the radio interview. A special thanks to Brianne for not only recording, but uploading it on youtube. 

I have also updated my ABOUT section so you’ll be able to see the links for all my press!

Thank You

This has been amazing!

Laurie Guerra has stepped down.

Here is the official statement issued by AutismBC

NO one is taking accountability for Laurie Guerra’s actions.

Read below as I dissect each paragraph and give my own personal opinion on what has been said.

Continue reading

Laurie Guerra/AutismBC + Anti-Sogi Update

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Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

 

As the petition grows and the word is getting out there, the interest from the public has also increased. I was interviewed for News1130. I was featured on the on-air broadcast as well as the link below. I was also interviewed for CityNews and that link will take you to a video.

My original post is here: Laurie Guerra, AUTISM BC + ANTI-SOGI

 

Letter to Autism BC Re: Fair and Equitable Access and Human Rights

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The letter below was sent to the Board of Directors of Autism BC yesterday in light of the recent news of one of their Directors’ connection to a number of groups that have strongly advocated not only against curriculum resources designed to create more safety and inclusion for LGBTQ2S+ students, but also against the very acceptance of those students and their identities.
Unfortunately today it’s come to light that the President of Autism BC has responded with a letter that essentially states Directors are entitled to their own viewpoints and that the organization itself is ‘not political’ (see below our letter for this response given to others – we have not yet received a direct response). We appreciate the statement that their activities and programs reflect the position of inclusivity, however, we feel that human rights cannot be ignored.  The BC Government and other large organizations that partner with Autism…

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Contradiction

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Photo by 42 North on Pexels.com

The fact that people believe that LGBTQ2+ is a completely separate issue from being autistic blows my mind.

inclusion is inclusion.

diversity is diversity.

You can’t rally for one group and marginalize the other.

-How I feel about this whole Laurie Guerra issue and the comments here.

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Laurie Guerra, AUTISM BC + ANTI-SOGI

This is happening:

Laurie Guerra, Director of AUTISMBC spoke out at an ANTI-SOGI Event.

She is a bigot. To deny the rights of the LGBTQ2+ Community and work at a place where you are promoting inclusion and diversity and then turn around and make hateful comments is not acceptable.

Please share & sign the petition:

https://www.change.org/p/autism-bc-remove-laurie-guerra-from-her-board-director-position-with-autism-bc

UPDATE: I spoke up against Laurie on twitter and she blocked me. If this is how she handles things–with ignorance leading the way, she does not deserve to be in a place of power in any sense of the word.

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According to this website, Laurie makes over 400,000 annually.

It must be nice to make that kind of money and not have to worry about the consequences of hateful, homophobic speeches.

 

steak night-2

Laurie Guerra’s Socials:

AutismBC:

New ABOUT ME video!

I’m honestly not sure if my microphone even worked, it was plugged in.. Hopefully the sound is okay for my viewers!