A Few Things | Feb 28
I'm coming To America! And some things I'm mad about!
We’re Coming to America
I’m headed to America in March. Ben Blair is coming too. And so is Flora June! Since we’re going to be in the U.S., my book publicist is working on a few book tour stops so I can connect with you. And I’ll tell you, it’s really good for me to have something to look forward to! Hopefully it’s good for you too. Here’s what’s happening so far:
March 14-17 — Palm Springs, California
Join me at Alt Summit! I’ll be interviewing Lisa Congdon, the opening keynote speaker, plus Ben Blair and I will be giving away 50 copies of The Kids Are All Right —and doing a book signing too! Several of our kids will also be at Alt Summit and I can’t wait.
Click here, choose Late Registration Individual Ticket, and use code DESIGNMOM to get $400 off the current price. (You can sign up tomorrow so you can support today’s Economic Boycott — more on that below.) And yes, there are still hotel rooms! I asked the hotel to extend our discounted room block, and they are making me a new link. I’ll update it here when I’ve got it.
March 18 — Los Angeles, California
Book Event at Zibby’s Bookshop
1113 Montana Ave, Santa Monica 90403
This is a FREE event! But you need to register to save your spot.
Ben Blair and I will be talking about The Kids Are All Right & Ejaculate Responsibly — and where they intersect.
March 19 — Salt Lake City, Utah
Book Event with The King’s English.
Ben Blair and I will be talking about The Kids Are All Right & Ejaculate Responsibly — and where they intersect.
I don’t have a link for this one yet, but PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
March 20 or 22 — Washington D.C.
We’ll be in Washington D.C. for some meetings, and my publicist is working on a book event for March 20th in the evening or the 22nd in the afternoon. I will keep you updated if we are able to set something up.
And here are two events beyond March:
April 3-5 — Orlando, Florida
Join me and Ben Blair at Mom 2.0 Summit. We’ll be speaking about The Kids Are Alright.
And while we’re there, if there was interest, maybe we could do an event at a book shop in Orlando on the evening of April 4? We’ll look into it.
Some of this has been planned for months, and other events are coming together quickly, and I am so excited about all of it. If you have questions about any of this, please let me know. I hope I get to connect with you.
And if you’re curious, yes, I am trying hard not to worry about flying. The list above represents 6 different flights and the headlines are not helping. Urgh.
May 14 — Helsinki, Finland
Join me at the Crush 2025, a one-day conference in Helsinki, Finland (presented in English). I’ll be opening the conference as the Keynote Speaker. I’ve never been to Finland before and I’m really looking forward to this. Also: Ben Blair is speaking on a panel at Crush! And I’ve got a discount for you! Use code DESIGNMOM for €30 off the ticket price (they have several different ticket options and you can apply the discount to any ticket).
Economic Boycott Today
A grassroots organization called The People’s Union USA has called for 24 hours of no-spending today, Friday, February 28th, as an act of economic resistance, to protest the harmful influence of billionaires and big corporations. You can read more about it in this PBS article.
Based on what I’m seeing on social media, this graphic by Martha Rich, has become the visual rallying point of today’s boycott. Perhaps you’ve seen it in your social feeds.
Some people are focused on not spending any money at all today. Others are focused on not spending money at Walmart, Target, and Amazon (including Whole Foods) today, and shifting their spending to small, local companies.
On both Threads and Bluesky, I’m seeing lots of chatter about this boycott. Most of the chatter is in support of the boycott, but I’m also seeing criticism. Some people feel that 24-hours won’t make a difference to large corporations; that this whole thing is meaningless.
My take? They could be correct. 24-hours isn’t going to make or break Walmart or Target or Amazon. For those of us who can avoid shopping at these places long-term, or even shop less at these places, we should do so. But personally, I don’t care if they’re correct. I see actions like this boycott as having big benefits — whether or not 24 hours makes a financial impact.
I think we need to actively and publicly try anything and everything as we fight back against fascism and the oligarchs. When we’re feeling angry and out of control, it’s really helpful to see ANY resistance action taking place. It makes us feel less alone, and less insane. It gives us focus, and something to rally around. And it can even function as a baby step, or small test, on how a longer boycott could work.
These days, I love seeing any post about an act of resistance — even the tiny ones. It’s so encouraging! If you’ve done something to resist, no matter how small, don’t hesitate to share it. These stories make us braver, they give us ideas on how to resist, and prepare us for future encounters where we may get the opportunity resist.
Today’s economic boycott seems like a good idea to me, and I fully support it.
A Few Things
Here are a few things that are making me furious at the moment. And I should start by noting: there are too many things that are making furious at the moment. I know I’m not alone. It can be overwhelming, which leads us to do nothing, because we can’t do everything. So I’ve decided to focus my energy on the things that are making me the angriest. And I understand that you might be focusing on other things that make you the angriest.
-In the New York Times — “‘People will die,’ said Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi, executive director of the African Population and Health Research Center, ‘but we will never know, because even the programs to count the dead are cut.’”
Per Dr Atul Gawande, ex USAID: “All malaria supplies protecting 53 million people, mostly children, including bed nets, diagnostics, preventive drugs, and treatments – terminated.”
How do even begin to describe this amount of cruelty?
The dismantling of USAID has had my blood boiling for weeks now. I’ve got a highlight about it here. Stopping USAID programs means serious illness and/or death for millions all over the world. It’s not a future outcome that maybe might sort-of happen. It IS happening. Right now. Right this minute.
It harms millions of people worldwide. It means the loss of jobs and financial hardship for thousands of the best people among us. And it hurts America’s standing in the world in the most harmful way possible. Fox News reported that the U.S. doesn't have anything like China's Belt and Road Initiative. They are idiots. We did. IT WAS CALLED USAID. It is how America has built trust and helped communities across the world for decades.
-From The Hill — The mass firing of upwards of 1,800 workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including top climate scientists and weather forecasters, has begun. The firings reportedly include workers at the National Weather Service.
Like what in the world?!! Who benefits from this? We’re watching one of the world’s great powers dismantle itself for no reason whatsoever.
-From The Independent — Trump’s total travel ban for transgender visa applicants seeking the United States. And no, this is not just athletes. The endless MAGA attacks on trans people, especially trans women, have got to stop. Stop the fear-mongering. Stop the scapegoating. Stop the cruelty. Our trans friends are literally just trying to live their lives. They have not hurt you in any way, and they don’t represent any kind of threat. This is madness.
-This image gives me the feels. It represents the fall of my country. At the same time, I’m so grateful that European leaders are rallying together to fight fascism, even without our help.
-From The Guardian — Republicans are terrified of crossing Trump due to physical threats. Eric Swalwell says threats to them and their families are stopping GOP officials from criticizing the president.
I don’t what to tell you, Republican Politicians. Be braver. You’re worried about threats against your family? Big fucking whoop. Welcome to what it’s like to be a woman to writes things publicly.
And if it’s threats you’re worried about, let’s consider the millions of families whose lives are threatened by Medicaid cuts. Look, you’ll either get threatened by Trump, or beheaded by your constituents. Pick one.
And if you’re not able to represent the needs of the people who voted for you, then step down and get the fuck out of the way.
That’s all for now. I hope you have a satisfying end of February. And I sincerely hope this economic boycott makes an impact in one way or another. Feel free to to comment on anything I mentioned above, or whatever is on your mind.
kisses,
Gabrielle
Regarding the boycott, one day is the first step. Even just going through the mental load of organizing for a one day boycott can lead to long-term changes. For example, I’m trying to do a more thorough boycott based on Robert Reich’s recommendation to also boycott Facebook and Google. That meant that I set DuckDuckGo as my default search browser on my phone as well as my tablet. I am doing an Instagram and Facebook fast. I read an article about how to prevent Meta from harvesting my data. I went and interacted more with Tumblr, Pinterest, and Bluesky instead of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. I think I’ll allow myself to watch Netflix and avoid YouTube. I realized I may be online too much. I am making plans to switch over from Kindle to another e-reader. I make plans to read my paper books and visit the library more.
Yes to the boycott!
Growing up in the US in then 1980s, my friends and I protested against nuclear arms and apartheid. The anti-apartheid movement started small. But eventually it became *visible.* Musicians were writing songs about how they wouldn't play "Sun City;" athletes refused to go to South Africa. We built "shantytowns" in front of our college presidents' offices and pressured our universities to divest. Mandela was freed. The world was changed.
Some people are saying an action like this one won't do anything. You know what really won't do anything? Doing nothing! They *want* us to believe we have no power. Believing this lie is to obey in advance.
Crucially, support the local businesses in your community! The people who own them are our friends and neighbors. Theyy are the lifeblood of American towns and we need them to survive.