Recently, I found out about a collaboration between a conservative think tank and a liberal one on childcare policy (about which I will soon be writing). I’m curious what other examples there are, from private dinners to public policy, where people are reaching across the aisles. Please share. Comments are open.
I was asked to moderate a series of discussions between individuals who hold "gender critical" views and those who hold "gender affirmative" views. We had three topic-focused one-hour-long discussions over Zoom. The discussions were very collegial and productive. All came away with more understanding of the other POV and were grateful for the exchanges.
Something similar, yes. Last year I initiated the development of the Equality Caucus in Braver Angels. Our mission statement is "As the Equality Caucus, we believe LGBTQ individuals are guaranteed our inalienable rights in the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which are among our shared American values. To support the movement-making work of Braver Angels to build bridges, we aim to engage in dialogue to undermine harmful stereotypes, focus on solutions, and respect our shared humanity."
These dialogues will happen among Braver Angels members AND within the LGBT communities in an effort to dispel and debunk myths and demonstrate the true diversity (including thought) of LGBT people.
Ive recently gotten interested in the undue and scary influence WPATH seems to have over the issue of transitioning children. When I had lunch with an old friend recently it occurred to me to offer that I had an issue that we might agree upon. He is a Republican that voted for Trump and I'm a Democrat. He is pro gay marriage, if that fills in any blanks. We spent at least a half hour discussing it, and it felt good!
Braver Angels is all about depolarization - www.braverangels.org. Check out the What We Do section on the website. I've been involved with BA since 2017. In 2023, I became more involved. I like what they're about and doing.
I like the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism. My son interned with them a couple of summers ago. He loved meeting people with widely different views who were open to discussion with others.
As a FAIR Senior Fellow, I had the privilege of being part of the FAIR internship orientation and training program. It was a wonderful opportunity for a great group of young people. I hope they offer more internships in the future.
Thank you for all the work you do. When my son came home from orientation, he said I HAD to check out your videos. I am not at all surprised that you are able to create a respectful environment to bring people with opposing viewpoints together.
A bunch of lefty (and former lefty) Terfs in the Bay Area are headed to the San Francisco March for Life this weekend to gather signatures for the Protect Kids ballot initiative. People in our group have also been going to Republican events to gather signatures.
I'm talking to a conservative subscriber who doesn't hate Trump but she doesn't think he's the worst thing ever. I'm reading up more on conservatism to get more familiarized with the different flavours. Just as not all cons are crazy MAGAs, not all libs are crazy wokes (and no, I don't like wokies). Maybe some wokies can show me not all wokies are crazy :) Anyway, looking for the folks on either side not too far down either extreme....
We've talked about this a bit Lisa, via Zoom, but I'm working on an artistic body of work about how deep and controversial conversations around the dinner table (and in other places) are vanishing. I think most people don't realize that their individual actions (of tuning out others or only being with like minds) have a powerful say on larger society. I'll mention Vaclav Havel's book again "The Power of the Powerless". I'm trying to help these people physically 'see' what is disappearing from larger society. With everyone's short attention spans, I think it will help to 'shock' them to show the potential end if we don't change our ways.
My mom, a devoted Christian, patriotic voter, Democrat, and "rabid" Trump-hater (praised Jesus when he got covid :) ---said she would vote for DeSantis because to his stance against trans ideology. I don't know if I could vote for DeSantis but that to me represents a brewing crisis that liberals and Democrats are hiding from themselves. Journalists too. I hear journalists talk about "culture war" topics being a confounding factor in whether someone votes for a candidate in a different party but they never use the trans ideology example which is the most obvious example to me.
Their FB page is still active. The Wikipedia entry about them has been written/edited by a TRA, so of course they are portrayed as a far-right hate group. How predictable.
“Bipartisan” entered the American political lexicon in 1994, when the GOP returned from the wilderness it had occurred since 1950. It means “republicans voting for democrat policy.”
No one goes to the polls to effect policies of their opponents. “Bipartisanship” is a psyop to convince adults that voting with Democrats against freedom, liberty, prosperity, the rule of law... and voting for open borders, decarceration, child sexual mutilation... will result in a free, prosperous, educated future.
I was asked to moderate a series of discussions between individuals who hold "gender critical" views and those who hold "gender affirmative" views. We had three topic-focused one-hour-long discussions over Zoom. The discussions were very collegial and productive. All came away with more understanding of the other POV and were grateful for the exchanges.
Any future events with the same format Zander?
Something similar, yes. Last year I initiated the development of the Equality Caucus in Braver Angels. Our mission statement is "As the Equality Caucus, we believe LGBTQ individuals are guaranteed our inalienable rights in the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which are among our shared American values. To support the movement-making work of Braver Angels to build bridges, we aim to engage in dialogue to undermine harmful stereotypes, focus on solutions, and respect our shared humanity."
These dialogues will happen among Braver Angels members AND within the LGBT communities in an effort to dispel and debunk myths and demonstrate the true diversity (including thought) of LGBT people.
Ive recently gotten interested in the undue and scary influence WPATH seems to have over the issue of transitioning children. When I had lunch with an old friend recently it occurred to me to offer that I had an issue that we might agree upon. He is a Republican that voted for Trump and I'm a Democrat. He is pro gay marriage, if that fills in any blanks. We spent at least a half hour discussing it, and it felt good!
Braver Angels is all about depolarization - www.braverangels.org. Check out the What We Do section on the website. I've been involved with BA since 2017. In 2023, I became more involved. I like what they're about and doing.
I like the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism. My son interned with them a couple of summers ago. He loved meeting people with widely different views who were open to discussion with others.
As a FAIR Senior Fellow, I had the privilege of being part of the FAIR internship orientation and training program. It was a wonderful opportunity for a great group of young people. I hope they offer more internships in the future.
Thank you for all the work you do. When my son came home from orientation, he said I HAD to check out your videos. I am not at all surprised that you are able to create a respectful environment to bring people with opposing viewpoints together.
Thank you. I appreciate hearing that my messages can be heard in the way I intended: respectfully and compassionately.
A bunch of lefty (and former lefty) Terfs in the Bay Area are headed to the San Francisco March for Life this weekend to gather signatures for the Protect Kids ballot initiative. People in our group have also been going to Republican events to gather signatures.
https://protectkidsca.com
Oh wow, great idea!
You're always welcome back here for dinner anytime, Lisa! **wink**
I'm talking to a conservative subscriber who doesn't hate Trump but she doesn't think he's the worst thing ever. I'm reading up more on conservatism to get more familiarized with the different flavours. Just as not all cons are crazy MAGAs, not all libs are crazy wokes (and no, I don't like wokies). Maybe some wokies can show me not all wokies are crazy :) Anyway, looking for the folks on either side not too far down either extreme....
We've talked about this a bit Lisa, via Zoom, but I'm working on an artistic body of work about how deep and controversial conversations around the dinner table (and in other places) are vanishing. I think most people don't realize that their individual actions (of tuning out others or only being with like minds) have a powerful say on larger society. I'll mention Vaclav Havel's book again "The Power of the Powerless". I'm trying to help these people physically 'see' what is disappearing from larger society. With everyone's short attention spans, I think it will help to 'shock' them to show the potential end if we don't change our ways.
Braver Angels is holding an online Forum for Mental Health Professionals on the 19th, and Zander Keig will be there. https://braverangels.org/event/forum-for-braver-angels-mental-health-professionals/
My mom, a devoted Christian, patriotic voter, Democrat, and "rabid" Trump-hater (praised Jesus when he got covid :) ---said she would vote for DeSantis because to his stance against trans ideology. I don't know if I could vote for DeSantis but that to me represents a brewing crisis that liberals and Democrats are hiding from themselves. Journalists too. I hear journalists talk about "culture war" topics being a confounding factor in whether someone votes for a candidate in a different party but they never use the trans ideology example which is the most obvious example to me.
Is the Hands Across the Aisle Coalition still active?
Their FB page is still active. The Wikipedia entry about them has been written/edited by a TRA, so of course they are portrayed as a far-right hate group. How predictable.
https://www.facebook.com/handsacrosstheaisle/?business_id=328300001038974
Thanks! I too have noticed an increase in Wikipedia edits by TRAs.
I was wondering that, too. I haven't heard anything from them lately.
“Bipartisan” entered the American political lexicon in 1994, when the GOP returned from the wilderness it had occurred since 1950. It means “republicans voting for democrat policy.”
No one goes to the polls to effect policies of their opponents. “Bipartisanship” is a psyop to convince adults that voting with Democrats against freedom, liberty, prosperity, the rule of law... and voting for open borders, decarceration, child sexual mutilation... will result in a free, prosperous, educated future.