Time to Fight: H.R. 7661

Do you think art matters? 

Maybe you’ve never thought about this question. It might seem too obvious. Maybe you ask yourself if art is good or bad; if art is morally instructive or intellectually nutritional; if art has social value. But maybe you’ve never stopped to ask yourself, simply: Is art necessary?

Fascists sure seem to think so. It’s why they attack artistic freedom with such relentless focus. Art can be used as a tool of fascism if it is harnessed and controlled – but in its free state, when it’s allowed to exist as a natural byproduct of human existence, art itself stands in opposition to fascism. It allows us to express experiences and emotions that an authoritarian state needs us to deny.

Art matters. It is the language that allows human souls to speak honestly to each other. And what do we do with things that matter? We protect them. 

We must never, ever let anyone take art away from us – but the government of the United States is trying. H.R. 7661 is a national book-banning bill that explicitly targets books about trans people across the United States. It is called the “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act” – a title that misleadingly implies the bill, or those who are backing it, have the well-being of children in mind at all. From our friends at Authors Against Book Bans, here is some more information:

I’m going to be frank with you. The people who want to turn art into a tool of control, rather than an expression of freedom, are moving quickly. They are organized, motivated, and well-funded.

But there are more of us than there are of them. We care more than they do. And we have a playbook too. 

If you see your representative on the list above, call them right now. 

• If you’re not sure who your representatives are, you can find that information here.
• If you don’t know what to say when you call, there are scripts here.
• If you’re anxious about calling or unsure what to do on a call, there is a great guide from Cordelia McGee-Tubb here.
• If you would like a guide that is specifically geared toward neurodivergent people, you can download this PDF. It includes specific advice for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, like iPads and speech-generating devices.
• If you or someone you know would benefit from an Easy Read formatted guide to calling reps, you can download this PDF. Easy Read formatting is a way to present information to members of our community who are not familiar with English, who have low literacy, and who have reading and/or learning disabilities. 

You can also show up at your representative’s office and talk to them in person. Not many people do this, even though it makes a huge difference. An hour of your time, spent face-to-face with your representative, telling them why they must oppose H.R. 7661, will move the needle. 

Friends, we can do this. We are many, and we are brave. 

Let’s destroy this bill now. Before it gets out of committee and before it picks up momentum. Me and you. 

Together, we can protect art. Now let’s get to work.

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In the meantime, remember: Do what you can. Care for yourself and the people around you. Believe that the world can be better than it is now. Never give up.

-gailey