Human Rights Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community Beyond Pride Month As Pride month comes to a close, we ask for solidarity because, while we’ve made great strides over the years, we still have a long way to go—but we can get there together. These recommendations are a great way to get started.
Climate Change and Environment The Last Line of Defense Against Forest Destruction During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments’ failures to address the needs of Indigenous communities revealed significant disparities in their access to healthcare and other services. Increasingly, Indigenous peoples are exposed to the worst effects of climate change, and to violations of their rights to land and resources.
Human Rights Lessons from My Youth: Reflecting on What Juneteenth Means to Me Growing up in Texas, Juneteenth was always a celebration—my family would gather at my grandmother's house to celebrate with food, music, and prayer. If we want to work together to build a better future, we must understand the historical importance of days such as June 19. Those who can observe this holiday going forward should take it as an opportunity to learn and listen. But we also must acknowledge that the increased recognition and celebration of this holiday is in response to the death of an African American man. Mr. Floyd’s life spurred a movement, but we should not have needed him to lose his life to have these critical conversations.
Reflection: Living at the Crossroads of the COVID-19 Pandemic, A Spike in Anti-Asian Hate and a Long History of Oppression I hope the solidarity and support the AAPI community has received in the last two months doesn’t fade as the end of the pandemic draws near and many are anxious to return to a sense of normal –– because for many first-generation Asian Americans like myself, we’re still trying to figure out what “normal” means.
US Health Respect—and More—for Nursing Home Workers This past year has been hell for them. COVID-19 has taken the lives of more than 182,000 nursing home residents and workers. Although cases have plunged as vaccination rates have increased, these workers are still coping with grief, trauma, exhaustion and anxiety. Who knows what the long-term effects will be?
Global Health Digitizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights The pandemic has acted as a catalyst to modify the way sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is handled globally. Digital health interventions, for example, could allow more people access to SRHR information, including among underserved populations.