Not Your Average Jonah

My name is Jo, my pronouns are they/them, and I have no idea what I'm doing.

Welcome! My name is Jonah "Jo" Rothman, but I'm not your average Jonah. This is where I write about queer and disability issues, social justice, and whatever else comes to mind. I also offer training and education!

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Jo poses for a picture on a winter day at Wheaton College, MA

Meaning and Joy (Wheaton College Lavender Graduation)

I'm here to remind you that the world is good and worth saving.

jorothman1

Jul 176 min read

What Now?

Today is Wednesday, November 6th, 2024. It feels like the end of the world. A lot of us are scared - for ourselves, for others, for the...

jorothman1

Nov 7, 20242 min read

Breaking My Silence on Israel

The best way to take away Israel's power as an oppressive government is to give Jews other places where we can be safe.

jorothman1

Oct 14, 20238 min read

Men Are Capable of More

Yeah, I know, your hackles are immediately up. But wait. Stop. Sit with the feeling. This post is not an attack. It is not a callout. It...

jorothman1

Jul 11, 20237 min read

Eugenics Is Not Theoretical

Yep, I've been gone for a while and now I'm gonna dive right into some heavy shit. Life updates (of which there are several) will happen...

jorothman1

Mar 9, 20234 min read

To Work Hard at Work Worth Doing

Readers, I know it's been a long time since I posted; a lot has been happening! When I last posted, at the end of July, I was working at...

jorothman1

Oct 25, 20223 min read

Universal Accessibility Is A Myth

One of the unique aspects of the URJ Kutz Camp (z"l) was its gibush (G as in good, gee-boosh) program, a parallel program for...

jorothman1

Jul 27, 20223 min read

Disability Is Not A Bad Word

I am disabled. It's not a value judgment; it's a neutral fact. The ways in which my brain and body work, or don't work, make my life more...

jorothman1

Jul 13, 20222 min read

How Do We Cope?

Seven years ago this Sunday, I gathered with the campers and staff at the URJ Kutz Camp (z"l) to hear that Obergefell v. Hodges had been...

jorothman1

Jun 24, 20223 min read

Allyship Part 3: Allyship Is Determined By the Oppressed

It happens all the time: someone will drop a [homophobic/transphobic/racist/ableist/etc.] comment, and when they're called out, they'll...

jorothman1

Jun 15, 20226 min read

Allyship Part 2: Allies Take a Seat

Four years ago, I reposted a text post on Facebook: "Remove the word 'preferred' from your language when talking about transgender...

jorothman1

Jun 8, 20228 min read

Allyship Part 1: Corporations Are Not Allies

It's June 1, babes! Pride month is here, and that means two things: hot enby summer has officially begun, and corporations are trying to...

jorothman1

Jun 1, 20223 min read

Ableism Is Not Exclusive to Abled People

Shabbat shalom, y'all! I'm late this week, I know - I was on a much-needed vacation and then finishing the last (!) finals of my...

jorothman1

May 13, 20225 min read

A Uterus-Haver's Guide to Post-Roe Abortion

This week, I had planned to write about trans fashion. Then, on Monday, a draft decision was leaked from the Supreme Court indicating...

jorothman1

May 5, 20229 min read

The Weight of Identity

In 1996, my parents, after seven years of trying, finally got a viable pregnancy. They celebrated the news with everyone they knew and...

jorothman1

Apr 27, 20226 min read

The Undergrad Blues (or, College Itself Is Also a Fucking Joke)

A few years ago, I wrote a piece on my financial aid adventures and how college financial aid is a fucking joke . However! It's my...

jorothman1

Apr 20, 20224 min read

I Am Not Your Free Diversity Educator

Yeah, I know, the irony of me posting this on my free blog and my free Twitter and my sort-of-free Medium. I know. But let's talk about...

jorothman1

Apr 7, 20226 min read

Autism Speaks, and It's Telling Allistics to Shut Up

Good morning, everyone! It is April 6th and I am already sick to death of Autism "Awareness" Month. First of all, "awareness" is a...

jorothman1

Apr 6, 20224 min read

Stop Exploiting Our Disabilities

There's a new wind blowing in mutual aid spaces, and I absolutely hate it. Some of my readers, I'm sure, are or have been in mutual aid...

jorothman1

Mar 30, 20222 min read

On Fatphobia

I'm gonna do something a little spicy this week, because I don't see enough friends in my privileged position doing it: Let's talk about...

jorothman1

Mar 24, 20225 min read

Contact Me

If you're interested in hiring me to do consulting or training, or if you just want to chat, feel free to reach out to me!

jorothman1@gmail.com

508-330-5992

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