Trans activists Eli Erlick and Veronica ‘Nikatine’ Ripley, responded to the tragic Nashville mass shooting by condemning radical religious schools, per a report by The Daily Mail.
Erlick writing on Twitter accused the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Nashville- the body overseeing The Covenant School in Green Hills, Nashville, of abuse in 2013 and described it as a “right-wing institution.” Ripley reposted Erlick’s tweet and criticized the conservative “love affair” with such institutions.
In a later tweet, Eli said sharing a screenshot of the report that she has been misrepresented by the Mail. “This isn’t what I said at all @DailyMail,” she wrote. “Regulating religious schools, firing pastors that abuse students, mandating queer and trans curriculum, and providing free mental healthcare could help prevent tragedies like these in the future.”
This isn’t what I said at all @DailyMail. Regulating religious schools, firing pastors that abuse students, mandating queer and trans curriculum, and providing free mental healthcare could help prevent tragedies like these in the future. https://t.co/slyK8oOGod pic.twitter.com/p2kfhCHjXV
— Eli Erlick (@EliErlick) March 28, 2023
Who are Eli Erlick and Veronica ‘Nikatine’ Ripley?
Eli Erlick is a prominent American activist, writer, and academic who identifies as a trans woman. Born on July 10, 1995, she grew up near the rural community of Willits, California, and is of Jewish heritage. Her parents’ history of activism inspired her to become a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
Erlick came out as transgender at the young age of eight, after facing harassment, isolation, and violence. For years, she endured bullying and threats because she was unable to use her school’s restroom. She attended Pitzer College in Claremont from 2013 to 2016, where she graduated with honors a year ahead of schedule.
At 13, she publicly transitioned to female while retaining her birth name. Shortly after, she underwent a medical transition. At 15, she started advocacy and writing. At 16, she founded Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER), a national organization that advocates for the rights of trans students and offers resources to them, their families, and schools.
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Veronica Ripley, also known as Nikatine, is a transgender Twitch streamer and digital content creator. Born and raised in Monterey, California, Ripley’s multicultural upbringing was shaped by her Latina mother and white father. She was introduced to gaming by her father at the age of 10 and still has a game night with him every Wednesday.
After pursuing a career in acting in Los Angeles, Ripley returned to Monterrey to begin her transition. She created the community hub, Transmission Gaming, for transgender gamers to connect and find gaming partners, and has become an official Twitch Ambassador.
Ripley aims to be a positive role model for trans people and has found gaming to be an outlet for creative expression.
