Of Meteorological Fall, Climate Trauma, LGBTQ Discrimination and Dying Journalists

Crisis Watch Sept. 8, 2022

by

A United Methodist Insight Column

Here's an intro for all of us Baby Boomers: "Hey, kids, what time is it?"

No, it's not "Howdy Doody" time. It's meteorological fall, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Even though the calendar says it won't be "astronomical fall" until the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22, meteorologists consider Sept. 1 to be the date when fall begins as the weather starts to change. Of course, by the Christian calendar, it's still "Ordinary Time," AKA "the long green season" before our liturgical new year begins with Advent. No wonder we sometimes don't know what day it is!

This season there's some good news for the ozone layer, says NOAA. "An annual analysis tracking the decline of ozone-depleting chemicals shows the levels of these harmful chemicals have significantly dropped, reaching a milestone for the recovery of the ozone layer. Early this year, the concentration of ozone-depleting substances in the mid-latitude stratosphere decreased by over 50%, returning towards the levels observed before significant ozone depletion." Let's hope greenhouse gas emissions continue to drop.

Extreme weather trauma harms mental health

At the other end of the climate news spectrum, the increase in weather-related disasters is taking a toll on survivors' mental health, writes Erin Douglas of Texas Tribune.

"An international group of leading scientists concluded that extreme weather events are followed by increased rates of mental illness. One scientific literature review estimated that around 30% to 40% of disaster victims develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Even though some might think people would psychologically adapt to weather events, data proves the opposite, said Sarah Lowe, an associate professor at the Yale School of Public Health who researches mental health and natural disasters.

"...Researchers are beginning to use new terms such as 'climate trauma,' 'climate anxiety' and 'eco-grief' to refer to mental health conditions made worse by climate change."

As we've seen in recent reports about United Methodist Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) (see links below), volunteers who make time to listen to extreme weather survivors' stories are often as helpful as those who do the physical labor of relief. One way to help climate-trauma survivors over the long term is to refer them to a disaster mental health support line, 800-985-5990.  Those suffering from climate trauma can also call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if they or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis. Texas Tribune offers a mental health resource guide for more information about the 988 lifeline.

Follow-up on LGBTQ discrimination crisis

In a follow-up to the previous column's note on LGBTQ discrimination, here's more research from PRRI: Christian Nationalism: A ‘Stained-Glass Ceiling’ for LGBT Candidates? by R.G. Cravens III.

"White Christian nationalism has become a focus of political discussion in America in recent years as American conservatives and many prominent Republicans have embraced the personalities and ideas of this political orientation. In addition to the attention paid to the subject by the media and prominent politicians, some political commentators have pointed out that legislation targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, eliminating anti-racist subjects in schools, and attacking reproductive rights is influenced by the principles of white Christian nationalism."

For an even more egregious episode of LGBTQ discrimination, check out this Washington Post article by student journalist Marcus Pennell (it's behind a paywall, but worth the cost): My high school paper published a ‘pride’ issue. Then we got canceled.

More discrimination against transgender people

The campaign against transgender people has come into hard-edged focus in Florida, where three trans people are suing the state for banning their gender-affirming medical care from Medicaid eligibility. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include adoptive parents representing their 12-year-old daughter, "Susan," whose puberty blocker medication administered every three months costs $11,000. The Washington Post article by Anne Branigin reports: "The country’s largest medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend gender-affirming care to help treat minors experiencing psychological distress because their biological sex and gender identity do not align, a condition known as gender dysphoria." Contrary to erroneous reports, gender reassignment surgery is not recommended nor ethically practiced for dysphoria patients under age 18.

Meanwhile, Ms. Branigin reports in a separate article on the furor over an anti-trans school board policy: "‘Don’t say trans’: Texas school board’s new policies spark an outcry." "The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District policies include a total ban on all classroom discussion of ‘gender fluidity’" says the article.

"The new rules also impose more limits on how race, gender and sexuality are taught; restrict which bathrooms transgender youths can use; and give greater power to the school board to determine which books are available in school libraries," Ms. Branigin wrote. "The new rules — which passed in a 4-3 vote — are indicative of how school boards have become the 'epicenter' of efforts to push anti-inclusive policies, LGBTQ and civil rights advocates say. GCISD is among a 'cluster' of districts moving to further restrict education in this way, according to Kate Huddleston, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas."

For an example of how to advocate against discriminatory school board policies, see this video of the Rev. Andrew Fiser, pastor of Greenland Hills UMC in Dallas, speaking against the policy at a Grapevine-Colleyville school board hearing.

What's happening with the school boards where your United Methodist congregation is located? Are there opportunities for you, like Rev. Fiser, to advocate for trans children frightened by discriminatory policies?

BTW, if you have transgender children, relatives, or friends, or you want to support trans individuals, you may want to watch Reconciling Ministries Network's webinar, "Parenting Transgender Children," Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7pm EST | 4pm PT. Missed Part 1? Watch Here! Sign up here.

Mourning journalists' deaths

In closing this column, I note with sadness the passing of two exemplary journalists: Anne Garrels of National Public Radio, and Jeff German of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.Garrels, who died of lung cancer at age 71, was familiar to NPR listeners for her exemplary coverage of the Iraq War and her subsequent memoir, "Naked in Baghdad," detailing how she managed to keep reporting via a hidden satellite phone by sleeping nude so she could gain a few seconds to stash her equipment when Iraqi authorities searched her hotel room. Garrels was also gifted at genuinely connecting with her interview subjects, often finding significant human stories beyond the typical "note-and-quote" reports. I've never covered a war, but I did once elude Israeli authorities to visit Palestinian Christians at UMC-supported missions in Bethlehem, so I can appreciate what it takes to report from hostile situations.

German's death is even more tragic: his fatally stabbed body was found early on Sept. 3, and a county official, Robert Telles, whose corruption German, 69, uncovered, has been arrested and charged with his murder. According to the New York Times, Mr. German's "career as a columnist and a senior investigative reporter spanned more than three decades. Over that period, Mr. German broke stories on organized crime, politics, casinos and corruption for The Las Vegas Sun and then for The Review-Journal." During my younger days reporting on local governments I too received death threats; these days, thankfully, I only get nasty emails and phone calls.

Dear readers, we need brave journalists like Anne Garrels and Jeff German who will report factually on the crises of our sinful world. Unless we know what's happening, we won't know how to respond faithfully to God's claim on us to do Christ's work on earth. That claim extends far beyond familiar feel-good outreach such as food pantries and clothes closets; these days it often means we must put ourselves on the line for vulnerable people. Let's pray for and support all responsible journalists who are seeking out and reporting truth on our behalf.

Media Mentions as of Sept. 7, 2022

Faith communities can respond to substance-use epidemic with hope - UM News

How Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Baptists have dealt with LGBTQ issues – The News & Observer

First United Methodist considering disaffiliation - Washington Daily News

UMCOR ERTs deploy to Kentucky for next flood relief phase – Global Ministries

State United Methodist churches talk about dissolving denomination ties - The Oklahoman

Mission trip strengthens partnership, ministries - UM News

$5,000 Offered For Information On Racist Church Vandalism - Local Profile

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011 after 30 years reporting on The United Methodist Church at all levels. This column is part of Insight's contributions to Covering Climate Now, an international collaboration of some 500 news outlets committed to enhance reporting on the global climate crisis. Email Insight for permission to reproduce this column elsewhere.