This week in my new hometown of Rockford, IL, just an hour north of Chicago, our local politicians debated a sign that says “All Are Welcome.” Their argument? From what I gather, it was to suggest that saying “all are welcome” implies that criminals are welcome. 

If you like reading this letter, I imagine you had to take the same pause I did. You know, the pause to begin to comprehend the ridiculous nature of an argument. Go us. Pausing before reacting? *Growth.* Personally, my brain has taken a lot of momentary rests to even begin to react to the status quo right now. It’s all just too much and admittedly, this discussion pushed my ability to be quiet right off the proverbial ledge. 

Thankfully, this argument was quickly shut down by a group of bipartisan leaders in this community but days later I’m still thinking about all with an asterisk. 

History tells us this is dangerous territory - a place where we let people decide who is worthy and who is not. As a Type-A rule lover, I learn over and over again there’s not a lot of room for black and white.  Nothing is absolute. 

This land of the free is full of gray space. Because free would mean that we don’t have to draw these dotted lines between us and them.  Free would mean people don’t need a name for someone who’s not like them. Free would mean my existence as a trans person wouldn’t be up for debate in legislative buildings or deleted from resources around the world. 

We are not free in a world where leaders try to put an asterisk next to all instead of holding themselves accountable to welcoming all the folks who are trying to find their place in the world. To protect all people instead of using their power to push some into the margins to be forgotten. At work and home, we have a responsibility to ensure all means all in the spaces we take up. 

Even the criminals. No asterisk.