When someone tells you to stop imagining that you’re having an impact, ask them to please redirect their energy into getting 10 friends to join you in doing what needs to be done. If it has no impact, you’ll have gone down trying. If it has an impact, nobody will tell you for many years.

One of the recurring themes environmental activists have been hearing at the local level is that fracking is a state-level issue and that municipalities have limited ability to address it. That has been true in Portage County, Ohio generally, and it was the case in Shalersville on Tuesday night. At the start of the meeting, one of the trustees announced that the speakers were strictly there for public comment and that no questions would be permitted.

Dissenters’ Digest takes a look back at the week’s stories covering whistleblowers, watchdogs, and government accountability.

I had avoided telling my parents about anything involving activism or really any socializing with other LGBTQ people. To my parents at that time, I was a docile gay who was renouncing that “lifestyle” to grow closer to God. But after that march, I knew I had to go to them and come out as an on-fire activist. I spent days writing what I was going to say to them before I had to go back home.

Here is a guide to activism that focuses on the serious moral case for fundamental change and on making it fun as hell. Here is a sophisticated tool for shaping strategies that are both uncompromising and welcoming of newcomers.

After passing through the horrible fire of battling Amendment One here in North Carolina, I felt drained, not just because of the results, but the battle on this front and many others shows just how far we have to go in addressing society’s myriad problems with racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, misogyny, etc.

It makes me sad and weary. If only we could harness all of the energy put into hate- and fear-based thoughts and actions and turn it into positive action for everyone’s benefit.

A bit of the history of Mothers Day and a tribute to some of the Mother’s who have been instrumental in furthering the cause.

Dissenters’ Digest takes a look back at the week’s stories covering whistleblowers, watchdogs, and government accountability.

Dissenters’ Digest takes a look back at the week’s stories covering whistleblowers, watchdogs, and government accountability

Torture is Back in the News.

We had hundreds of people calling their representatives yesterday to ask if they would sign the letter to President Obama, telling him to issue an executive order preventing federal contractors from discriminating against employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT activists lobbying on the Hill report that the DNC is actively discouraging the letter in order to shield the President from the pressure within his own party.