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< Back to School Policy Hub Pulse Shooting Content Warning: This article discusses a deeply traumatic event. Reader discretion is advised. June 12th, 2016, was a devastating day for the LGBTQ+ community after a tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injured 53 more at the Orlando club. The Pulse nightclub attack remains the second deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Timeline Pulse was one of the most popular gay clubs in the city, and that Saturday night also happened to be Latin night. 2:02 a.m. Bulletholes in the nightclub the day after the shooting.. (Image Source: Ed Burns/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 ) Early in the morning, the police received reports of shots fired at the club. An off-duty officer attempted to restrain Mateen, but he was unsuccessful and the shooter was able to make his way into the club. Minutes later, police arrived at the scene and exchanged gunfire with the shooter. 2:09 a.m. An alarming post was made on Pulse's Facebook page, stating for “everyone [to] get out of Pulse and keep running.” Unfortunately, this chilling post was not the reality for many of the patrons in the club who became caught in the middle of gunshots. Hours later people were still being held hostage in the club. 5:00 a.m. SWAT teams began breaking down the back wall of the club to help victims escape. They did this through a controlled explosion in order to safely but quickly provide a route to safety for those inside. Eventually, many patrons, including the shooter himself, emerged from the building. Pulse night-club was located on Orange Ave. in Orlando FL. The image above depicts the layout of the club. Manteen entered the club and made his way to the dance floor. He continued around the back of the club and made his way to the restrooms. When police arrived, the wall that was broken down was the one leading to the restroom. (Image Source: Orlando City Planning Division blueprints) 5:15 a.m. Upon Manteen’s exit, a shootout occurred between him and the police, ultimately resulting in his death. Legacy This direct attack on LGBTQ+ and Latinx people continues to cause grief to this day and serves as a constant reminder of the hate and discrimination still faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Five years after the shooting, community members continue to come together at Pulse to celebrate and mourn those who lost their lives on June 12, 2016. Vigils are held and it is a time to advocate for those who were victims of homophobia and gun violence on that tragic night. (Image Source: Walter, FLICKR) LGBTQ + mental health is at a heightened risk following Florida's decision to veto funding and cut approximately “$900,000 in funding for state programs geared toward serving the LGBTQ+ population, including one that provides mental health programs to survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting..." This decision, on the 2nd day of Pride and just before the 5th anniversary of the Pulse shooting, is a tell-tale sign of the work that needs to continue to be done to support LGBTQ+ communities. References Kelley, A. (2021, June 3). Florida Gov DeSantis vetoes mental health funding for Pulse shooting survivors . TheHill. https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/556703-florida-gov-desantis-vetoes-mental-health Zambelich, A., & Hurt, A. (2016, June 26). 3 Hours In Orlando: Piecing Together An Attack And Its Aftermath . NPR. https://www.npr.org/2016/06/16/482322488/orlando-shooting-what-happened-update

< Back to School Policy Hub Slavery In The Americas Canada United States Mexico Cuba Haiti Brazil Peru Slavery is the act of forcing another person to do labor without pay, and often with horrific treatment. In the Americas, slavery and indentured servitude was used as early as the 16th century when slaves were brought to the Americas, primarily from Africa. White indentured servants were eventually freed after they paid their debt with the labor that they did. However, African slaves were treated very differently. North America Canada Two slave women doing labor under the eye of an overseer. This exact image is said to have “taken place” at the end of the 18th century. (Image Source: Canadian Museum Of History) The first major settlement in what is now known as Canada was the colony of New France. The New France colony was founded in 1534, and slavery was a common practice there. In 1834, Canada was conquered by the British Empire. In the same year, the British Empire abolished slavery in all of its territories. Historian Marcel Trudel reported that there were about 4,200 slaves in Canada between 1671 and 1834. Two-thirds of slaves were native persons and one-third of slaves were black. Six out of the 16 members of the first Parliament of the Upper Canada Legislative Assembly owned slaves or had family members who owned slaves. In 1793, Upper Canada (Ontario) passed the Anti-Slavery Act, which forbade slavery for persons over the age of 25 and made it illegal to bring enslaved persons into the country. From about the 1850s through the 1860s, Canada became a refuge for slaves fleeing from the horrors of their predicament in the southern United States. 30,000 slaves fled to Canada from the United States. However, potentially more than 100,000 black persons escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad. The United States Of America This chart displays the slavery percentage within each of the 13 colonies. (Image Source: Wikimedia) The arrival of the first captives to become slaves in the Jamestown colony happened in 1619. Eventually, the British expanded into what was known as the 13 colonies. Every single one of the 13 colonies had slavery to a certain percent. After the 13 colonies rebelled from British rule and formed The United States Of America, there was still slavery. The USA’s original constitution (still to this day, without considering amendments) states that black persons count as 3/5ths of a white person in census counts and cannot vote or hold a political office. As the US continued to expand, the southern states became known as slave states, and the northern states became known as free states. In free states, no one could be held as a slave and had to be given some form of compensation for labor. In slave states, no compensation was needed and slavery was in full effect. Sadly, if a slave escaped from slave to free states, they could still be returned to slavery. For decades, as new states started to form, a question was asked: Would this territory be a slave or free state? The issue became so big that it sparked the American Civil War. After the election of President Abraham Lincoln, 11 southern slave states seceded from the United States and formed The Confederate States of America. The remaining states, which consisted of the 20 northern free states and 5 border slave states, formed the Union Army under President Lincoln. On January 1st of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the Confederacy. However, it did not free slaves in the border states or in parts of the Confederacy that had already been returned to Northern control. It also was contingent on the Union winning the war. Slavery was officially abolished in the US when the 13th amendment was issued in 1865. Mexico Native Americans in Mexico being captured and trying to flee from Spanish Conquistadors in 1595. The Spanish colonists were led by Francisco de Montejo. (Image Source: Brown University) In 1524, the Aztec Empire had already been enslaved and became the lowest class of peoples within Mexico. At this time, Mexico was a colony under the Spanish Empire. Mexico also captured many prisoners of war and made them slaves. Slaves were actually given some form of compensation. The new Viceroy set some standards of treatment for slaves. No slave could be forced to carry a load of more than 100 pounds. Government officials and priests were tasked with distributing wages to slaves to make sure they received compensation. In 1811, the Spanish Empire abolished slavery, including in all of its colonies. The Caribbean Cuba An illegal slave auction occurring in Havana, Cuba in 1837. An auctioneer is pictured letting a potential buyer take measurements of the slaves. (Image Source: Listen2Read) Even though the Spanish empire abolished slavery in all of its colonies, one of its colonies rejected the ban on slavery and continued to practice it: Cuba. The ban of slavery within the Spanish empire took place in 1811, but slavery in Cuba did not end until 1886. In Cuba, the native Taíno and Guanahatabey peoples of the island were enslaved on a very large scale. Cuba’s original native population was eventually completely destroyed due to lethal forced labor. One million African slaves were brought to Cuba. As many slaves died out due to the hard strain of labor, 100,000 Chinese indentured workers were brought in as well. In 1886, when slavery in Cuba ended, these former slaves were still treated horribly, and the improvement of their treatment did not occur until the 20th century. Haiti Slaves in Haiti being depicted harvesting and growing sugarcane. The sugarcane industry was enormous in Haiti especially with the usage of slave labor. (Image Source: LANIC) When Haiti was originally colonized in 1492, so did slavery begin within the country. The indigenous population of Haiti was dying due to abuse from slavery and disease from the Europeans, so African slaves were brought in. By 1517, the first 15,000 African slaves were imported. Slavery was very bad everywhere, but especially within Haiti. It was so bad that enslaved persons formed a revolt in 1791. The Haitian Revolution ended in 1804 and it was and still is the only successful slave revolt in human history. This led to the establishment of an independent republic. This revolution was so horrifying that it ended slavery in Saint-Domingue and in all French colonies. While slavery “officially” ended in Haiti in 1804, slavery within Haiti still exists today. According to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, Haiti still has an estimated population of 59,000 enslaved persons. South America Brazil A slave in 19th century Brazil being punished by a white overseer. This piece was made by Jean-Baptise Debret. (Art Source: Jean Baptise Debret) Slavery in Brazil under the rule of the Portuguese empire was ruthless. Starting in 1530, over 4,000,000 African slaves were sent to Brazil during the entire slave period of the nation. This was larger than any other location within the Americas or the Caribbean. Afro-Brazilians were treated horribly. Slavery in Brazil ended in 1888 when Princess Isabel of Bragança signed Imperial Law 3,353. However, the official ending of slavery did little to change the lives of former slaves. Brazil was the last country in the New World to abolish slavery. Due to “whitening”, a process to breed out the darker skin tones of Afro-Brazilians, racism was an enormous problem. The lighter skin tone you were, the easier it was for you to succeed in society. This racism was a problem within Brazilian society for a long time. Peru An image of Chinese laborers/slaves in Peru picking cotton on a field. Using Chinese slaves and/or indentured servants was a common practice alongside using African ones. (Image Source: Brown University) Peru and many other South American and Caribbean countries would enslave whomever they could. Slaves of all varieties formed the heart of Peru’s plantation labor force. The slave trade was ordered to be stopped in Peru in 1821 by José de San Martin. San Martin is referred to as the “liberator” of Peru as he went against the wishes of local plantation owners to order the stopping of the slave trade. However, slavery itself did not end in Peru until 1854. Overall Slavery has been a problem for a very long time. Sadly, slavery is still a problem that exists today within countries like Haiti in The Caribbean and Mauritania in Africa. However, the fight to end modern-day slavery still exists today. Remember that slavery can also involve various amount of other topics such as human trafficking, child labor, etc... Organizations such as Anti-Slavery International, Abolish Human Trafficking, and more are all continuously fighting to end slavery and deserve your recognition. The enslavement of other peoples is not right and needs to end.

< Back to School Policy Hub Juneteenth What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, is an annual holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the southern states of the US. It is described as a second independence day and has been celebrated within the African-American community for over a century. History A photograph of the Emancipation Proclamation (Image Source: Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division) Once the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, slaves in Confederate states were declared legally free. However, everyone in these states was not immediately free, as the Proclamation couldn’t be properly implemented in places that remained under Confederate control. On June 19th, 1865, Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African-Americans of the end of the Civil War and their freedom. This is what put the Emancipation Proclamation into effect on a larger scale. Juneteenth was named as such by the newly freed people in Texas on that day in 1865. Celebrations Over time, Juneteenth has been celebrated by African-Americans in many different ways, including prayers and celebrations among families. Some who were enslaved, or had descendants who were, would make an annual pilgrimage to Galveston. Now that more people outside of the African-American community are aware of this holiday, big celebrations are becoming more common and large-scale events like music festivals are being organized in major cities. A Juneteenth celebration parade in Philadelphia in 2019(Image Source: Tippman98x on Shutterstock.com) Recognition Former President Joe Biden signing the legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. (Image Source: White House) Juneteenth only started being recognized officially in 1980, when Texas first made it a state holiday. The most recent states to make it an official holiday were Hawaii and North Dakota in April 2021. Finally, after the Senate and House of Representatives almost unanimously voted in favor of it, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday on June 17th, 2021. Importance Juneteenth is important to commemorate because it allows us to reflect on the steps that were made toward freedom and the ways in which African-Americans are still undermined in our society. As this holiday approaches, we must realize the importance of uplifting and supporting Black voices in the fight for equality and justice, both on Juneteenth and throughout the entire year. References HAVE A PROUD AND HAPPY JUNETEENTH! Juneteenth World Wide Celebration. (n.d.). https://juneteenth.com/ . LeBlanc, P., & Stracqualursi, V. (2021, June 18). New national holiday sets off scramble to shut down governments nationwide Friday . CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/17/politics/juneteenth-federal-holiday-government-shut-down/index.html . NBCUniversal News Group. (2021, April 27). Hawaii close to honoring Juneteenth, leaving 1 state holdout . NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hawaii-close-honoring-juneteenth-leaving-1-state-holdout-n1265564 . Robbins, L. (2020, June 18). These states now recognize Juneteenth, but what are their other holidays? wusa9.com. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation-world/juneteenth-us-states-official-holidays/507-aa8e98a6-8e01-4f39-b3b5-632d3bf8c83b . Smith, K. (2020, June 18). Reflecting on Juneteenth . Facing Today - A Facing History Blog. https://facingtoday.facinghistory.org/reflecting-on-juneteenth . Smithsonian . (n.d.). The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth . National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth . Taylor, D. B. (2020, June 17). So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html .

< Back to School Policy Hub Cultural Appropriation What is Appropriation? Identity Pollution Identity Piracy Forms of Cultural Appropriation Appropriation vs Appreciation Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Conclusion What Is Appropriation? Cultural appropriation is the adoption of desirable aspects from a minority culture by a dominant culture, often rebranding them as a product of popular culture and done in ways that can be exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical. This separates the customs from their roots, which often leads to cultural erasure. Rooted in an imbalance of power, appropriation mostly exists as a tool of colonization, whether or not it is intended. Anthropologist Simon Harrison identifies two important threats to any culture: identity pollution and identity piracy . Both can lead to identity erasure, which is the removal of a group’s or individual’s culture. Identity Pollution This is the influx of outside cultures into a space, suppressing the local customs. When we assess maps of European empires over the last several centuries, we see how much colonization has smothered the world. An anachronistic map of British colonization. (Image Source: Wikimedia) An anachronistic map of French colonization. (Image Source: Wikimedia) An anachronistic map of Spanish colonization. (Image Source: Wikimedia) Identity Piracy This is the act of an outside culture depleting another of their privacy and customs by taking them and re-appropriating them. While Simon Harrison describes these threats as asynchronous, considering the areas of the world that have been colonized (identity pollution) and evaluating what peoples seem to experience cultural appropriation in the most harmful ways (identity piracy), we find that these operate more as a two-step attack on indigenous or culturally distinct groups. Because the cultures of the European empires were so heavily enforced via global colonization, the descendants of those conquerors didn’t experience the harm of appropriation. Rather, we even learn to expect to see aspects of European culture worldwide. Forms of Cultural Appropriation Cultural appropriation manifests in diverse ways, often involving ignorance or apathy on the part of appropriators. A common form is when members of a dominant group face no consequences for adopting elements of a minority culture, while members of the minority group may face backlash for the same cultural expressions. An example is the phenomenon known as "blackfishing," where white individuals adopt elements of African American culture without facing the same societal repercussions as their Black counterparts. Kim Kardashian wearing her hair in cornrows at the MTV Awards. (Image Source: Wikimedia) Kim Kardashian The reality star has faced criticism for appropriating black hairstyles, such as cornrows, while simultaneously receiving praise for popularizing them. This highlights the disparity in how certain cultural elements are perceived based on the cultural background of the appropriator. Katy Perry Perry has been accused of cultural appropriation for various instances, including her geisha performance at the 2013 AMAs and the "This Is How We Do" music video, which featured cornrows and caricatured baby hairs. Her actions reinforce the practice of tapping into Asian and black aesthetics for entertainment purposes without understanding the complexity of these cultures. Iggy Azalea at the ACL Music Festival (Source: Wikimedia) Other white artists try to lay claim to their cultural exploits. For instance, in 2013, Iggy Azalea once stated that Miley Cyrus copied her by twerking. Not only is this entirely inaccurate and misguided, but Iggy Azalea later tried to announce that twerking, which she appropriated from Black culture and which has existed for several decades in Black spaces, was “dead.” This shows us the expansive harm of cultural appropriation, particularly of the pop culture pipeline. Cultural appropriation not only submits slices of culture for mass uninformed consumption but also attaches these artifacts with an expiration date. So, when the “trendsetters” (appropriators) decide that something is dead, the people to whom that practice is significant are expected to abandon it and are ridiculed in public spaces if they don’t. Appropriation vs Appreciation Appreciation involves seeking to understand and learn about another culture to broaden one's perspective and connect with others cross-culturally. Appropriation, on the other hand, is the act of taking cultural elements without fully understanding or respecting their significance. Where appropriation is largely theft and easy to do unwittingly, appreciation is intensive and involved. Tips for Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Examine Your Own Culture Reflect on the aspects of your own cultural background that are essential to your identity. Consider how you would feel if someone used these elements without understanding their significance. Listen First Understand and appreciate another culture by actively listening to those who are a part of it. Learn about the cultural implications of the elements that interest you. Consider Context Be aware of the meanings attached to cultural symbols and understand when and where it is appropriate to use them. Share Your Own Culture Engage in mutual cultural exchange, sharing aspects of your own language, food, customs, and traditions while learning from others. TED Talk This powerful talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse narratives and avoiding generalizations. Conclusion With the rise of connectivity on social media, we see explicit clashes between members of cultures and those who seek to invalidate them by attempting to rob them of cultural significance. This exposes how useful appropriation is as a tool for colonization and how it is deteriorating space for cultural coexistence. Navigating the complex terrain of cultural appropriation requires awareness, empathy, and a commitment to mutual understanding. By fostering a culture of respect and genuine interest in different cultures, individuals can contribute to a world where cultural exchange is enriching and inclusive rather than exploitative and harmful. References Acquaye, A. (2018, August 23). Madonna’s VMAs 2018 Outfit Is the Latest Example of Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation | Teen Vogue. Teen Vogue; Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/cultural-appropriation-appreciation-kim-kardashian Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story | TED. (2009, October 7). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg Clifton, Derrick. (2014, August 5th) 5 things white people need to learn about cultural appropriation. Daily Dot. https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/5-things-white-people-cultural-appropriation/ Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation: Why it Matters | Greenheart International. (n.d.). Greenheart International | Connecting People and Planet. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from https://greenheart.org/blog/greenheart-international/cultural-appreciation-vs-cultural-appropriation-why-it-matters/ cultural appropriation. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica; Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/cultural-appropriation Harrison, S. (1999). Cultural Boundaries. Anthropology Today, 15(5), 10-13. doi:10.2307/2678369 Raypole, Crystal. (2020, September 16th). There’s a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation — Here’s Why It Matters. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cultural-appreciation#appreciation-defined

< Back to School Policy Hub Diaphragms A diaphragm is a latex or silicone dome that covers the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. There are four types of diaphragms: Arching spring diaphragm Coil spring diaphragm Flat spring diaphragm Wide seal rim diaphragm The last type is made of silicone and is meant for people allergic or sensitive to latex. Your doctor can help you decide which diaphragm type is best for you. Diaphragms do not protect against STIs. Condoms and dental dams are the only forms of contraception that can prevent STIs. How to Use a Diaphragm Diaphragms must be used with spermicide to prevent pregnancy. Spermicide is a foam, gel, or cream that kills sperm. Diagram of how to use a diaphragm (Image Source: PRISM FL, Inc / Amelia St. Peter) Apply 1 teaspoon of spermicide to the inside of the diaphragm, as well as around the rim. Fold the diaphragm with the dome pointing down. Insert the diaphragm into the vagina and aim for the tailbone. Push the diaphragm as far back as it will go. Push the front rim of the diaphragm behind the pubic bone. If you have sex more than once, apply more spermicide to the vagina without removing the diaphragm. After sex, leave the diaphragm in for at least 6 hours. Hook your finger on the front rim, then pull down and out. Safety Practices Do not use a diaphragm during your period. A diaphragm can be inserted up to 18 hours before sex Do not leave a diaphragm in for more than 24 hours, as this can cause toxic shock syndrome or infection

< Back to School Policy Hub Birth Control What is Birth Control? Types of Birth Control Birth Control and Periods Benefits of Birth Control Note: This article is about the birth control pill. Click here for more information about the birth control patch. What is Birth Control? Birth control (AKA "the Pill") is a medication with hormones that stop ovulation (the release of an egg from a person's ovaries). Birth control also thickens the mucus in the cervix, which stops sperm from swimming to the egg. When taken daily, birth control pills are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Birth control does not protect you from STIs Only condoms and dental dams can protect you from STIs. Types of Birth Control Combination Pills (COCs) Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin, which is the hormone that prevents ovulation. If you start the combination pill within 5 days of the first day of your period, you'll be protected from pregnancy immediately. If you start the pill at any point in your cycle, this will take 7 days. Combination pills come in various packs: 28-day packs These packs have 21 active pills, followed by 7 hormone-free "reminder" or "placebo" pills to keep up the routine of taking your birth control every day. You'll get your period during the week that you take your reminder pills. The reminder pills aren't necessary as long as you remember to start the next pack on time. 21-day packs These packs are similar to 28-day packs except that they don't have reminder pills. You'll take one pill each day for three weeks, then have 7 days during which you'll get your period. Remember to start your next pack after these 7 days. 91-day packs These packs contain 3 months' worth of pills and 1 week of reminder pills. When using this pack, you'll only get your period once every 3 months. You can also use smaller pill packs to skip your period. Progestin-Only Pills (Mini Pills) Progestin-only pills don't contain estrogen and take 2 days to protect you from pregnancy, regardless of what point in your cycle you start taking them. Progestin-only pills must be taken within the same 3 hours of the day every day to remain effective. These pills come in 28-day packs and have no hormone-free pills. However, you can still get your period during the fourth week. Birth Controls and Periods You can use birth control to safely skip your period. To do this, you can either use certain packs that contain 3 months' worth of pills with hormones (discussed above) or skip your hormone-free pills and start taking your next pack immediately. This may result in spotting (light bleeding throughout the month). However, this will go away after about 6 months if you use birth control to skip your period every month. Benefits of Birth Control Both mini pills and combination pills can reduce menstrual cramps and lighten periods. Combination pills can also help with: Cysts in the breasts or ovaries Acne Ovarian cancer Iron deficiency PMS You can get pregnant as soon as you stop taking birth control. This makes birth control an effective way to decide when you have children. References Are Birth Control Pills Effective? | Do Birth Control Pills Work? Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/how-effective-is-the-birth-control-pill .

< Return to Voting Hub Trans & Non-Binary Voting Guide Equality Florida's Information for Trans & Nonbinary Voters Florida requires voters to present photo identification at the polls, which can create additional barriers for transgender and nonbinary voters due to bias, misapplication of Voter ID laws, and heightened scrutiny over state-issued identity documents. Understanding your rights and what to expect at the polls – particularly in the wake of recent agency actions that seek to restrict transgender and nonbinary Floridians’ access to accurate and affirming IDs – is critical to protecting your right to vote on Election Day. Denying Eligible Voters a Ballot Over Gender Identity or Gender Marker is Illegal Florida law requires every voter to present a photo ID that matches the name listed on their voter registration in order to vote at a polling place. While many transgender Floridians have updated their state-issued IDs to reflect their affirming gender, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has recently been prohibiting gender marker changes on driver’s licenses that have already been issued. Transgender Floridians who have not been able to update their IDs may encounter additional questions at the polls, but poll workers cannot prevent eligible voters from voting because their gender identity or expression does not “match” the photo, name, or gender marker on their ID. ● Poll workers should not scrutinize a voter’s gender marker to verify their identity, and cannot prohibit an eligible voter from voting because they think the voter “should” look a certain way or have a certain gender marker on their ID. ● If a voter’s name and address, as listed on their voter registration, matches the name and address on their photo ID, they have fulfilled Voter ID requirements and are entitled to exercise their right to vote. ● Voters may choose which form of photo ID they wish to present to poll workers from the 12 accepted types . It may be helpful to bring additional forms of photo ID and a utility bill showing your address. ● Florida requires every voter to sign a Voter’s Certificate. While signatures change over time, the signature used on the Voter’s Certificate must reasonably match the signature the Supervisor of Elections has on file. If you’re concerned about your signature match being verified, you can update your signature at the County Supervisor of Elections office, either in-person or by-mail. Ensure Your Vote is Counted ● Check to ensure your voter registration is active and accurate. We recommend that you check your registration and make any necessary updates online –like updating your name if you’ve recently had a legal name change–by October 7, 2024. ● Voting-by-Mail may be the safest option for many Floridians, including transgender and nonbinary voters. Due to recent changes in Florida law, all vote-by-mail ballot requests expired as of Jan. 1, 2023, and must be requested again. You should not assume you will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot if you have in the past. You must request a Vote-by-Mail ballot by October 24, and can do so online through your county’s Supervisor of Elections website . You may mail your ballot or drop it off in-person at the Supervisor of Elections office, Early Voting locations, or other designated drop-off sites, avoiding interactions with poll workers. Your ballot must be received by 7 PM on Election Day. ● If you prefer to vote in-person on Election Day or during Early Voting and are denied a regular ballot, request a provisional ballot. If you are forced to cast a provisional ballot, call the National Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Additional Resources from Equality Florida: Transgender Voter ID Toolkit • DHSMV Memo FAQ

< Return to STI Clinic Search Latinos Salud - Miami Southwest Call: (786) 801-1803 Website: https://www.latinossalud.org Have you been tested here? Fill out our STI Clinic Vetting Survey to tell us about your experience! 8946 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165, USA Hours: Today (Fri): 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sun: Closed Mon: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tues: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wed: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Thurs: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. OPEN Free Testing Walk-Ins Accepted Free Condoms PrEP On-Site PrEP Referral Parking type: Free Parking Tests Offered: HIV (Rapid): Free HIV (Lab): Free Chlamydia : Free Gonorrhea : Free Syphilis (Lab): Free Hepatitis C (Rapid): Free Hepatitis C (Lab): Free

< Back to School Policy Hub Malcolm X Who was Malcolm X? Early Life Sexuality Civil Rights Movement Death and Legacy Who was Malcolm X? Malcolm X in 1964: (Image Source: Library of Congress) Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister who became popular during the civil rights movement in the 1960s for his “By all means necessary” approach to gaining freedom and justice for African Americans. After facing many hardships and spending years in prison, Malcolm X turned his life around upon converting to Islam and began advocating for black unity and the use of self-defense to achieve justice for African Americans once he regained his freedom. He founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity to further fight for his ideas that racism was the greatest enemy of African Americans. Early Life Malcolm X's 1944 mugshot. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) Malcolm X was born in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, an area with intense discrimination and violence against Black people during that time. He was no stranger to hardship, with his father being murdered in 1931 and his mother being institutionalized in 1939. After living with a white adoptive family and facing adversity at school due to his race, Malcolm moved in with his sister in Boston. There, he saw differing living conditions between middle-class and lower-class black people and worked as an intermediary for drugs, alcohol, and prostitution from age 16. Upon moving to New York later on, Malcolm started selling and doing drugs and betting, and was eventually arrested when he moved back to Boston. Malcolm’s life transformed in prison, starting with his conversion to Islam under the Nation of Islam, which he left a few years after joining. After being released on parole and meeting the Nation of Islam’s leader, Elijah Muhammad, he started his advocacy for black unity and militancy, for which he became famous. Sexuality Malcolm X didn’t outwardly identify as or come out as bisexual in his lifetime; the little known about his identity as a bisexual man is in his work servicing men and from third-person accounts. From age 20, Malcolm worked servicing rich white men for pay, which he is said to have bragged about and enjoyed to an extent. According to a past schoolmate, Malcolm used to experiment with other boys when he was young and boasted about these experiences, and also often spent nights with a “gay transvestite named Willie Mae.” Role in the Civil Rights Movement Malcolm X speaking to members of the African-American Students Foundation in 1959. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) As an important influence during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Malcolm’s approaches to achieving justice for African Americans differed from the more common pacifist approaches proposed by others like Martin Luther King Jr. However, he fought for a common goal of ending racism and fighting for justice for African Americans. He further fought to make a difference by creating the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which called for a connection between African Americans and African heritage and promoted the self-determination of African Americans. His organization also focused greatly on education to counteract the still-present effects of slavery. Death and Legacy Malcolm X with Martin Luther King Jr. (Image Source: Marion S. Trikosko, United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division) On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was lecturing at Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom about his organization after weeks of attempts to end his life by whom he suspected were members of the Nation of Islam. While on stage, he was shot by three men whose identities have been controversial since the assassination. Although he was taken to the hospital, the dozen or so bullets caused his heart to fail several times until he was eventually declared dead. His legacy and admiration for him have grown since his assassination because of his passion for fighting oppression and willingness to fight for the freedom of African-Americans through any means necessary. Since his assassination and the release of his autobiography, he gained more respect than he had during his time alive, and his ideas are still relevant to this day. References Burnett, L. (2019, August 1). Organization of AFRO-AMERICAN unity (OAAU) 1965 . https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/organization-afro-american-unity-oaau-1965/. Malcolm X Assassinated . (2009, November 24). https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/malcolm-x-assassinated . Ott, T. (2021, January 13). The assassination of Malcolm X . https://www.biography.com/news/malcolm-x-assassination . Szymanski, M. (2015, March 1). Malcolm X's BISEXUALITY . https://bi.org/en/articles/malcolm-xs-bisexuality . Worland, J. (2015, February 20). Malcolm X assassination ANNIVERSARY: His legacy after 50 years . https://time.com/3715164/50-years-malcolm-x/ . X., M., Haley, A., Shabazz, A., Handler, M. S., & Davis, O. (2015). The Autobiography of Malcolm X . Ballantine Books.

< Back to School Policy Hub Herpes What is Herpes? How It's Spread Symptoms Getting Tested Testing Positive What is Herpes? Herpes is a virus that causes contagious sores, most often around the mouth or on the genitals. It is very common. When we say common, we mean REALLY common. There are about 572,000 cases of genital herpes every year in America. Genital herpes is so common in the US that more than 1 out 6 people are diagnosed with it between the ages of 14-49. Herpes does not have a cure. While herpes isn’t curable, your healthcare provider can give you medication to help shorten or even prevent outbreaks. One of these medications can even help you decrease the chances of spreading it to your partner. How It's Spread Genital Herpes Genital herpes can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Unlike many common STIs, herpes can also be spread through the mouth and saliva. Luckily, herpes cannot survive on other surfaces, so you cannot contract herpes from touching an object that an infected individual has come in contact with. Oral Herpes Oral herpes is generally contracted during childhood or early adulthood from non-sexual contact with infected saliva. In rare cases, you can be born with herpes if your mother is infected. Symptoms Part of the reason herpes is so common is that there usually are no symptoms. Genital Herpes Those with genital herpes often experience very mild symptoms, if any at all. Sometimes you may not even notice these symptoms or mistake them for a skin condition. Since this happens frequently, a majority of people who have herpes don’t know. However, if you do have symptoms, these will include herpes sores around, or on, the mouth, rectum, or genitals. They can show up as a singular blister or multiple. When they break, they are extremely painful and leave sores. These can take up to a week or longer to heal. When experiencing your first outbreak, you can also have flu-like symptoms. For example, you may experience a fever, body aches, or swollen glands. People who experience an initial outbreak can probably expect to have more than one, especially when infected with HSV-2 (genital herpes). The repeat outbreaks are usually a lot shorter and less severe than the first one and sometimes might not show up as often, either. Oral Herpes Oral herpes also tends to have very mild symptoms and is often mistaken for something else (chapped lips, bug bites, or just a small crack in the skin) or not even noticed at all. The symptoms include sores in and on the mouth, the back of the throat, and the lymph nodes in the neck. Many people will experience prodromes, which are essentially warning symptoms prior to an outbreak. A prodrome is an itching, tingling, or painful sensation in the area the sores will appear. These prodromes appear a day or two before an outbreak. You should avoid close contact during this time and during the outbreak to prevent it from spreading. When and if you accidentally touch the fluid or sores, wash your hands immediately and thoroughly. If you touch your sores or the fluids from the sores, you can transfer herpes to other parts of your body. You can even spread it to your eyes. Getting Tested Testing for herpes is a little different from other viral STIs. Sometimes your healthcare provider will simply examine your symptoms and diagnose you with herpes. They also can take samples from the sore(s) and test them. However, in certain cases, you’ll undergo a blood test to look for herpes antibodies. A herpes blood test cannot tell you who you were infected by or how long ago you were infected. It's important to get tested regularly. If you're sexually active, this means at least once per year. Even if you or your partner don't show symptoms, you should follow this general rule of thumb. Click here to find a local testing center. Testing Positive So, your results came back positive. The first thing to remember is that this is nothing to be ashamed of. Like we said earlier, this is a very, very common infection. If you or your partner have herpes, it does not necessarily mean anyone cheated. Test results may not detect the infection until well after contracting it, and herpes can be spread through non-sexual contact. How do I get rid of it? Unfortunately, herpes cannot be cured. However, you can be given anti-herpes medication to help suppress outbreaks. Some of these anti-herpes medications can even keep you from spreading to your sexual partner(s). If you are in a relationship with someone who has herpes, you can prevent yourself from getting it by making sure that they are taking their anti-herpes medication every day. You also need to avoid having any sexual contact with them while they are enduring an outbreak. For real, getting frisky can wait. Willingly risking your or your partner's sexual health isn't sexy. Peace of mind is sexy. References John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2 . Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2 American Sexual Health Association. (n.d.). Oral Herpes . American Sexual Health Association. https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/oral-herpes/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, August 28). STD Facts - Genital Herpes . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm

< Return to STI Clinic Search CAN Community Health - Lake Worth Call: (561) 867-9991 Website: https://www.cancommunityhealth.org/lake-worth/ Have you been tested here? Fill out our STI Clinic Vetting Survey to tell us about your experience! 201 N Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth, FL 33460, USA Hours: Today (Fri): 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Sat: Closed Sun: Closed Mon: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tues: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wed: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Thurs: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CLOSED NOW Free Testing Walk-Ins Accepted Free Condoms PrEP On-Site PrEP Referral Parking type: Lot Free Parking Tests Offered: HIV (Rapid): Free HIV (Lab): Free Chlamydia : Free Gonorrhea : Free Syphilis (Rapid): Free Hepatitis C (Lab): Free All treatment is $35

< Back to School Policy Hub What is Racism? What is Racism? Racism in America Against: Indigenous Tribes Asian Americans Black Americans Hispanic Americans Fighting Racism Racism can be defined in a variety of ways relating to both individual actions and societal institutions. Merriam-Webster defines racism as “a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, and the behaviors and attitudes that foster this belief.” However, these definitions refer to racism as a racial attitude. Racism can also be defined in a systemic sense. Two such examples are the excerpts following which define systemic racism as “the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another” and “a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles.” As seen, the term racism does not simply fall under one definition or one circumstance. Instead, it is a multifaceted term to describe the vast experiences of minority groups facing inequality due to their racial identity. History of Racism in America Racism has been present in society from the start, and it is still deeply rooted in our society today. In 1607, white British colonizers came over to America, quickly dominated, and took over the land. From that moment, rhetoric claiming white individuals as the “superior” race spread and was used to tragically oppress others. Here are examples of the roots of racist attitudes towards minority groups, where they stem from, and how they became widespread: Indigenous Tribes The cultural genocide of indigenous tribes: Colonizers forced the children into schools where they learned about Christianity and European values. They were stripped of their tribal clothing and were only allowed to speak English. The education system greatly idolizes the relation between the Natives and Colonizers as one of friendship, however the Europeans took advantage of their power to suppress the indigenous tribes. Before the British colonized the Americas, Indigenous tribes lived peacefully on the land in harmony with their tribes and nature. Their sacred customs and beliefs were practiced and displayed. However, white colonizers saw strong Indigenous cultural identity as a threat to their own power and success and responded with violence. Colonizers stole their lands and forced Indigenous people into smaller and smaller reservation areas that were insufficient for survival and hindered the continuance of their tribal practices. Over time, they continued to whittle down the land belonging to Indigenous groups leaving them with even less land and resources. As Europeans continued to take over new land and gain power, they resorted to genocide to tragically kill an estimated 8 million Indigenous people. Many of these deaths occurred through the spread of European disease to which the Indigenous people had no immunity. Asian Americans Throughout the early 1940’s, 10 Japanese Internment Camps were opened. They were located in California, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. Nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans, some being second or third generation, were gathered up and placed into these camps by the government as a means to prevent espionage during World War II. Throughout America’s history, Asian Americans have faced racism, especially in terms of immigration. In the 19th century, the United States promoted a “white-only” immigration policy. Asian Americans were seen as dirty and uncivilized to white Americans. Along with the promulgation of these xenophobic notions came the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited the immigration of Chinese individuals. This was the first race-based act of immigration legislation to exist in the Americas. During World War II, those of Japanese descent faced mass incarceration into internment camps under Franklin Roosevelt's executive order due to unsupported suspicions of espionage for the enemy following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Racism against Asian Americans was once again highlighted in 2020 with the Covid-19 outbreak. Many faced discrimination and prejudice due to the virus having origins in China, despite the fact that AAPI individuals do not have any responsibility for the tragic illness. Black Americans In the Supreme Court case, Plessy v Ferguson, the Supreme Court determined that the practice of “separate but equal” was constitutional as segregation alone did not violate the constitution. However, later on, the case of Brown v Board of Education abolished this practice when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. (Library of Congress) The history of racism towards Black individuals in America began in 1619 with the start of the slave trade. Nearly 7 million Africans were enslaved and sent to America. White colonizers took advantage of African Americans and used them as a source of free labor. They would work the slaves in horrible conditions and provide severe consequences if they stepped out of line. Like what was done to the Indigenous people, slave owners also stripped African slaves of their culture and heritage by prohibiting communication and the use of their native languages. They also kept them in captivity by prohibiting slaves from learning to read or write which made escaping nearly impossible. This serves as one of the first examples of systemic discrimination that kept oppressed groups in a subordinate position through unequal accessibility. Following the American Revolution, Black Americans still faced great discrimination and segregation as the White majority did not accept them as members of their society. Every resource, from schools to water fountains, was segregated, reinforcing the American idea that White Americans were superior to Black Americans. It was during this time the discriminatory dictum “separate but equal” was coined. Despite the inclusion of the word “equal”, resources Black individuals received were nowhere near equal to those of White individuals. For example, they received used schoolbooks and had no funding. Fast forward to present-day America and we still see racism against the Black population through police brutality and systemic oppression. Black individuals are nearly three times more likely to be killed by a police officer than white people. This is due to systematic prejudice within the police force, as well as society, that still views Black individuals as being inherently more violent without any evidence. Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans, though not often at the forefront of conversations surrounding racism, still faced discrimination in the U.S. due to their roots. Anti-Hispanic attitudes began to take hold in the mid-to-late 1800s. Scholars often point the beginnings of these oppressive beliefs to the Mexican-American war that provided the U.S. 55% of the Mexican territory. This was a tumultuous time for many Mexican individuals whose identity was suddenly thrown into uncertainty as they were no longer considered citizens of Mexico and instead were citizens of the U.S. Pictured is Olvera street, a Mexican market popular during the early 1900s. This market served as the location for a raid in which around 400 people were arrested and deported to Mexico. (Wikimedia Commons) As time passed and political contention increased in Mexican politics, many Mexican citizens found themselves emigrating to the U.S., where attitudes regarded Mexican Americans as “lazy, stupid, and undeserving”. It’s because of these attitudes that many Americans began to have deep-rooted anti-Hispanic beliefs, and some even turned to mob violence. This outbreak of mob violence became widespread in the late 1800s and early 1900s targeting Mexican Americans from all gender and age groups. The great depression became a time of extreme anti-Hispanic beliefs. As unemployment rates increased, the belief that those of Hispanic backgrounds were “stealing jobs” became prominent. States began to pass immigration legislation targeting Hispanic individuals. One such example is Colorado, which forced anyone who spoke Spanish or even “looked” Hispanic to leave. Fighting Racism Fighting against racism is a difficult uphill battle as it is deeply rooted in our society. However, we have seen a general increase in tolerability and equality, especially with younger generations fighting for social change. Here are some important steps individuals can take to reshape how our society views other races: Education . Learning about other races and cultures and the history of their fight against racism can promote acceptance. Acceptance can also be promoted by studying and conversing about how discriminatory notions took hold and became widespread. Recognizing and accepting one's privilege and utilizing that privilege to promote the voices and ideas of oppressed populations. This doesn’t only apply to White people. Colorism is also a problem in race relations, and it’s imperative we come to understand our conceptions of skin tone and the effect they have on perceptions. Find your own implicit biases . While we may not initially realize some of the prejudices we hold, by acknowledging them rather than denying them, we can actively work to reduce them. Being antiracist through actions. Many of us are likely to come across racist statements at some point, and it’s important to not ignore these statements but to speak about them. Talk about the negative effects they have and how they proliferate into acts of extreme xenophobia. Racist statements are breeding grounds for extremism, so we must stop the problem at the root. Fighting against racism may be a new and uncomfortable topic that many are just now facing, but it is important to remember that some people have been directly facing the consequences of racism for centuries, and it will take not only personal but also great systemic changes in order to overcome racism in America. References Blakemore, E. (2017, September 27). The long history of anti‑Latino Discrimination in America . History. https://www.history.com/news/the-brutal-history-of-anti-latino-discrimination-in-america Christina Marie Noel. (2020, June 3). 4 Steps That I and Other White People Can Take to Fight Racism . Medium; B The Change. https://bthechange.com/4-steps-we-can-take-as-white-people-to-fight-racism-a582e826eb92 History.com Editors. (2018, November 16). Black History Milestones: Timeline . HISTORY; HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones Merriam-Webster Dictionary . (2019). Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism PBS NewsHour. (2020, April 9). The long history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-long-history-of-racism-against-asian-americans-in-the-u-s The Legacy of Injustices Against Native Americans - NETWORK Advocates . (2019, March 29). NETWORK Advocates. https://networkadvocates.org/recommittoracialjustice/legacy/