Busy Philipps Instagram – THANK YOU to the @acluofil for inviting me to speak at their annual event and a huge thank you to the almost one thousand people who attended!! It was an inspiring event filled with great words from policymakers, politicians and activists who are working hard every single day to ensure that the civil rights and liberties of ALL people are being protected and upheld in Illinois and beyond. Obviously it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the never ending barrage of the insane new cycle- politicians spewing nonsense, lies and attacks on our LGBTQIA friends and family, rights being stripped away in states across the country without warning causing people and families to face unthinkable challenges in their most personal moments and feeling absolutely helpless as we are witnessing atrocities across the globe in real time. But we cannot afford to let that make us complacent or lose hope. Because we have the power and the ability to make real change happen. We do. With our stories and our voices, we must continue to push forward- we MUST continue to show up. (I’m saying this as much for me as anyone else.) Nothing is impossible, in spite what some people may say. WE HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR GOOD! Being reminded of that yesterday was very much needed. Also! I was surprised and excited to meet my internet friend @naira.bills who had been asked to open the program by reading one of her brilliant poems – she’s a genius and a real star (and also very sweet to laugh loudly at the funny parts of my speech!) Also my two aunts came to support me- my dad’s sister and my mom’s! Finally, shoutout to Jess Weitz from @aclu_nationwide for being the best travel friend and cheerleader ❤️🇺🇸❤️