I’m hurting today…and I’m pushing back
Today is a hard day. On International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day near and dear to me because of transgender friends and loved ones who daily endure attacks on their existence and yet continue to educate others and pursue justice for all marginalized communities, the Supreme Court struck down a ban on conversion therapy in Colorado.
As a survivor of conversion therapy, that hits deeply. It hurts, and it makes me sad and fearful for today’s youth. Attacks on LGBTQ+ youth were one of the driving factors for me getting into this Senate race. We need more queer representation at the legislature, and I’m going to keep fighting for that because lives are on the line. I know this because I’ve lived it.
In this campaign, people have shared with me that I do a great job of lifting up others and should do a better job of championing myself. Honestly, I’m grateful for feedback like that because it helps me grow. Normally I respond half-jokingly that it’s rooted in trauma. But it’s not really a joke. For two years, I was counseled into denying parts of who I am, questioning things that made me great, and trying to become a different person. Even when you’ve mostly healed and made progress from a situation like that, the scars remain.
So, to honor that journey and push back against efforts to make people diminish who they are, here is a list of reasons why I’m great and I deserve a seat at the table as your State Senator:
I serve selflessly. The focus of my lifelong career in public service has been on those I serve. Unlike a lot of politicians, I’m running for the community and not personal advancement. When I could leverage things for personal gain, every time I choose to use them to advance others. This isn’t a strategy...it’s my way of being.
I get things done. Where others see roadblocks, I see opportunity. I believe deeply that there are solutions to almost any problem, and that good can always become great. In one of my jobs, there were contentious and stalled negotiations with a union. I listened to both sides, uncovered the shared values underneath the contentious topics, and wrote agreements that got things back on track. In fact, when presented with what I wrote on one issue, the lead negotiator on the union side held up the paper and said, “This. This is exactly what we’ve been wanting and you heard what we needed. With this, we have a tentative agreement.”
I run toward challenges. When I worked for a different school district, we went into lockdown because a person with a gun was seen running into the school. Without hesitation, I went to the school, worked with police and administration, kept families and media informed, and helped reach a successful outcome.
I’m the best at what I do. In 2024, among 3,000+ members of the National School Public Relations Association, I was named the first-ever National School Communicator of the Year. They judged people on leadership, communication, professionalism and community involvement. From leading national conversations on Artificial Intelligence to demonstrating how to best engage with communities, I set the standard for my profession.
I win elections. See my previous email.
I have receipts. I’ve previously shared some of the third-party research that shows the impact of my work. Here’s a quote that sums it up:
“Dirk is a changemaker and trailblazer. Through his adept communication skills, he fosters a culture of collaboration and transparency. He does not shy away from asking questions or having conversations to better understand a challenge and determine what is best for the district community. He deeply and actively listens to stakeholders' needs and pain points and then identifies solutions and tackles challenges head on.”
— Shawn Hogendorf, president of the Minnesota chapter of NSPRA
I wrote this post-it note at my lowest point during my conversion therapy. It’s still a guiding force for me today. Maybe there’s a message in it for you, too.
Dirk’s teenage post-it note.
Forward. Together.
-Dirk
