Three Wins Today: April 18, 2025
When I was filming the video for these wins, I was full on smiling at the end, cause these wins are pretty massive
A bill is headed to the WA Governor’s desk that will compel insurance companies to provide a year of HRT meds to those who need it. Normally they want to only provide 3 months of any drug, cause they are stingy and assume you’ll switch insurance companies if you’ve already got the pills, but given everything going on, starting Jan 2026, this will give an extra bit of protection.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Autism Speaks are rarely said in the same sentence, but this week they have a shared goal: making it clear that RFK Jr. is full of shit. They wrote a joint statement, along with many other organization. This is a section of that letter:
While our organizations reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we are aligned in the following principles:
Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism. Decades of scientific research confirm there is no causal link. Public health messaging must be grounded in science and protect all communities.
Autistic Individuals Deserve Respect and Support. Public dialogue and policy must reflect the inherent value, rights, and diverse needs of Autistic people.
Evidence-Based Policy Is Essential. We call on policymakers to work in collaboration with Autistic individuals, families, researchers, clinicians, and disability organizations to ensure policy is grounded in science and responsive to community needs.
If ASAN and AS can work together for a common cause, no one has a single excuse for choosing perfection over progress. For the time being anyone, no matter what their values and morals are who stands for Democracy is on our side, the end. I only hope, that alliance can come to an end soon, but for now, we are all on the same team.
Betty Martinez Franco is projected to win the Irvine, CA City Council District 5 seat, making her the first Latina on the City Council. The election was Tuesday, but California is the absolute slowest state at counting ballots thanks to how easy it is to vote here. I included her in my election guide for this week, but I kinda stopped paying attention after seeing she was endorsed by Rep Dave Min and Planned Parenthood. Maybe that’s a good thing, cause I got to discover her amazing story after she had won. You need to watch the video, but here’s a sneek peak, from undocumented immigrant to a citizen with a masters she has defied all odds and is exactly what a purple city like Irvine needs right now.
That inspired you to run to your county or town election office website and find out when your next election is, right? Cause, this is what happens when we vote.
So I hope you’re now smiling as much as I am. There is so much to be proud of and hopeful for, even now.
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!
Smiling!
In Irvine, Betty Martinez Franco’s opponent had more name recognition, experience, and money; but he tied himself to the President. Betty out-worked him and won.