This week I have spent a lot of time looking into small town politics to figure out how a city’s politicians, religious leaders, and businesses might react to the proposal of an anti-discrimination ordinance or a proposal to ban conversion therapy in the city. This has led to me spending a lot of time on Facebook, LinkedIn, and reading letters to the editor written in the local newspapers about the politicians. The politicians who have mascots are definitely my favorite flavor of local politicians.

              This week I also got to sit in during a meeting with someone who wanted to create the groundwork to get an anti-discrimination ordinance passed in their city. It was cool to sit in and see what all this work looks like from a concerned citizen. The meeting was fascinating, and I was blown away by both the person and my coworkers’ knowledge of this small town off the top of both of their heads.

              The biggest thing I have been working on this week is my mental health. Advocacy work can be draining, I’ve had conversations with different coworkers about burnout and mental health while working in this field and it has been good to know that I am not alone in this feeling. Equality really does care about your mental health and supports you from the organization as well as the people that make it up. With the SCOTUS decisions being released recently it has been hard recently.

              Equality has allowed me to push myself as much as I can, in trying new things, in going to new places in the state, and in new work. However, they also know when to support you and that is something I cannot express my appreciation for enough. I can’t believe we are already 4 weeks in because I have learned so much but feel like there is still so much for me to learn. Overall this week has been a great way to learn about the inner workings of small town Ohio.