To the editor:
| I am writing this letter as a disabled, transgender, and Christian woman to endorse my friend and roommate Ari Faber for Athens City Council in the upcoming Democratic primary election on May 6. As a Christian, it’s important to me that we, as a community, must be better at protecting the vulnerable. In the Bible, Jesus explicitly chastises those—especially those who claim to follow him—who do not protect “the least of these.” “‘For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” (Matthew 25:42-44; 45) I’ve known Ari for almost a year now, and over that year I’ve had the honor of watching Ari run a fierce state senate campaign against Republican state senator, Brian Chavez—a known supporter of fracking whose own fracking injection wells leaked and resulted in a $1.3 million dollar cleanup by the state of Ohio. Although Ari did not win in last November’s election, his passion for serving his community has not waned, and his determination to protect “the least of these,” is prevalent in his daily life. Ari currently works at United Campus Ministry, where he is directly involved in providing several free meals for the community every week. He fiercely supported the recent Athens City Council resolution to declare the city a safe haven for gender-affirming care. He makes (and this is my opinion, but I’m sure many would agree) the best gluten-free vegan Christmas cookies in all of Athens County (and yes, these cookies and other vegan, gluten-free desserts are often available at the free community meals)! As someone who moved to Athens from North Carolina where I felt distinctly unsafe as a trans woman, I can personally attest that Ari himself is an embodiment of safety for many disenfranchised and marginalized folks here in the community. He was recently involved with the efforts for the city of Athens to open an emergency warming center for people who lacked adequate housing. He had, and still has, the bravery to run for public office as a trans person under his dead name. Heck, as I’m sitting at the table writing this letter, he’s planning a “Soup for the Soul” event at UCM where they’ll host another free meal and a community discussion about the opening of the warming center. Ari’s making black bean soup! Thank you for reading my letter and for (hopefully) voting Faber for City Council on May 6! Many blessings, Elizabeth Elrod |
