Three Wins Today May 17, 2025
Today there’s one story that’s a bit mixed, it’s a win, it’s just a bit of a complicated win, cause some wins are, but even when it’s complicated that doesn’t lessen the win aspect.
The Texas House has voted to repeal the gay sex ban that is still on their books. 12 Republicans joined 60 Democrats. Some of the Republicans are even hard-line, and they voted for it. It was not expected to pass, so this is a really pleasant surprise. They have been introducing the bill every so often since the 90s and it’s always died in the House. Now it is headed to the Senate, where it has even less of a chance of passing, but, with these numbers, who knows.
The Louisiana Denka neoprene chemical plant, one of the reasons Reserve LA is called “cancer alley,” is halting production. Now this is a huge win, but it’s also a bit bittersweet. Tish Taylor, who lives in Reserve, LA, and is the program director for Concerned Citizens of St. Johns, explained it best:
We buried my mom this year. She suffered for 22 years. She lived but suffered from cancer and autoimmune diseases. My sister takes infusions every week for a rare autoimmune disease. My brother has kidney disease. I lost other family members, a rare disease. It's unbelievable how much we suffer in our community.
We’re relieved. We won because we have clean air. But we’re also sad that once again, the petrochemical industry can come into our community and if they're not making enough money or if they have to adhere to regulations to protect their employees as well as the community, they'd rather shut down.
They never wanted the plant to shut down, they just wanted them to abide by environmental standards, and they chose to shut down instead, which will also put the plant’s workers out of a job.
Look, as I said above, this is still a win, even if it’s complicated, but we need to make sure to share the whole story as much as possible, not just the good parts of a complicated win.
On May 8, NJ Gov, Phil Murphy, signed a law designating tomorrow, and every May 18 going forward as Six Triple Eight Day to honor the all-Black, all-female 6888th Batallion in WWII. State Senator Shirley Turner (SD-15) said:
The signing of this resolution is not just a ceremonial act. It is a restoration of history and dignity long denied. The women of the 6888th Battalion served with distinction in the face of racism, sexism, and unimaginable pressure. By enshrining Six Triple Eight Day into law, we ensure that their courage, their labor, and their legacy will never again be forgotten. Their patriotism shines as a beacon for all Americans.
May we have more and more days honoring Black women in the months and years to come!
I hope this reminds you that there are always wins, you just have to look for them.
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!
Thank you so much for doing this!