State Hill Day in Lansing, Michigan

If we want to make a difference in our world, we must first start by doing the work in our own backyard.  

Dr. Ruvvy here. This past Tuesday, I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of 14 undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty scholars from across Wayne State University to a State Hill Day in Lansing, Michigan?  

What is a hill day, you ask? 

This is when a coalition of stakeholders takes to a governing body to speak about the matters that mean most to them. As a group of scientists, we at SciPol Detroit spoke about five pieces of legislation that have critical impacts for our personal and professional communities. For example, I spoke in opposition to House Bill 4066, “Single Sex Sports Teams in Interscholastic Athletics”. As a neuroscientist, I talked about how the definitions of sex in the bill are inaccurate - they state that sex is a binary variable, however we know that this is inaccurate and there are a number of chromosomal compositions that can define sex. But, there’s more: as someone who studies resilience, I know that participating in sports can have an immensely positive impact on mental health. The benefits of sport are especially important for our transgender youth, who unfortunately are at an increased risk for suicide compared to their cisgender peers. We can’t take away the right to participate in sport from our transgender youth. There are scientifically accurate ways to ensure safe and equitable participation in sport, like testing hormone levels, that the International Olympic Committee uses. HB 4066 ignores these gold standards and takes a position that aims to harm our youth.

Our group also spoke in support of the Maternal Health Momnibus (SB29-39), Prescription Affordability (SB3-5), African American Education in Schools (HB 4020), and Health Data Utility (HB 4037).

HOW CAN YOU JOIN IN? 

• MARCH WITH US TOMORROW! We will be attending the Stand Up for Science Rally from 12PM - 4PM in Lansing, Michigan at the Capitol Building

  • Can’t make the trip? Join Detroit’s local rally from 12PM to 1PM at Mazurek Education Commons on the Wayne State Campus (320 E. Canfield St., Detroit, MI 48201)

• Contact your senators and representative. Tell them what legislation you are in support of or in opposition to as their constituent. Your voice matters, and they want to hear from you!

  • You can find your Michigan legislators here: https://www.michiganvotes.org/legislators

  • Not sure where to start? Read this resource for how to write a letter to a Congressperson! https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2020/04/Advocacy-Infographics.pdf  

• Become a member of Science Policy Network Detroit: https://scipoldetroit.wixsite.com/detroit-1/copy-of-about-us

Together, we can STAY RESILIENT by lifting up our voices in advocacy and being superheroes for our state and local communities.

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All family members are welcome

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