February 23, 2023 by The California Aggie

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VOLUME 146, ISSUE 17 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023

The Davis community shows support for transgender children following local author event

Davis Parent University hosted an online event that received protest and backlash; the community responds with support for gender expansive people BY CHRIS PONCE

campus@theaggie.org Content War ning: this article contains discussions of transphobia. On Jan. 11, Davis Parent University (DPU) hosted an event featuring the co-author of “The Transgender Child,” Rachel Pepper. The book was written as a guide for parents, families and educators who are trying to support and understand children who are transgender, non-binary and/ or gender expansive. The event was originally scheduled to be held in person but was moved online due to safety concerns. Jenny Canfield is the cochair of Davis Parent University. She said that the organization, which was founded 14 years ago, aims to protect all children and their education. “DPU’s mission is to provide high-caliber lectures and programming to the Davis community parents, caregivers, teachers and administrators,” Canfield said. “We strive to

“The Transgender Child” is available at the Avid Reader. (Alexis Perez / Aggie)

assist [Parent Teacher Associations] and [Parent Teacher Organizations] in their mission, inspiring and educating parents and advocating for the well-being of every child.” Co-chair of Davis Parent University, Abby Koenig, discussed how the event featuring Rachel Pepper has an

important message for parents. She also talked about the backlash the event received and how the community responded. “We were expecting that this would be a controversial topic, because anyone who’s reading the news knows that gender is a sensitive issue, and there’s

been a lot of discomforts and a lot of conversation nationally,” Koenig said. “There was a small group of parents, some of whom are not from our school district, who protested Rachel Pepper’s event. But overall, we’re very grateful that the Davis community has expressed overwhelming support for Rachel and

her core message of love and acceptance for all children regardless of gender identity.” Koenig said she wasn’t present to witness the protest first-hand, but heard of the backlash and how these protests affected students and parents. “It was very poignant as a community member, as a DJUSD [Davis Joint Unified School District] parent, to read about the impact that the protesters had on students at DHS [Davis Senior High School],” Koenig said. “I think I can speak for all of the DJUSD community members, our hearts really went out to any of the students who felt targeted.” In spite of these protests, Koenig wanted to highlight the support parents and the community have demonstrated for transgender children and talked about how people’s responses have inspired her. DAVISPARENTUNIVERSITY on 3

Congressperson Adam Schiff hosts Suspension extended first Northern California campaign for UC Davis Men’s event at the International House Basketball Coach

After his recent Senate campaign announcement, Representative Schiff spoke at a meet-and-greet hosted by the Davis College Democrats on Feb. 14 BY ANTHONY W. ZAMMIKIEL city@theaggie.org Adam Schiff, the Democratic congressperson who represents California’s 30th District (CA-30), attended a meet-and-greet hosted by the Davis College Democrats at the International House (I-House) on Feb. 14. Rep. Schiff will be running to represent California in the Senate, vying for the seat that has been held by Senator Dianne Feinstein for more than 30 years. The event came a day after Rep. Feinstein announced her retirement after her term concludes in 2025.

Hosted by the Davis Democratic Club, Rep. Adam Schiff visits UCD—the first stop on his campaign trail for Senator. (Maia Zhu / Aggie)

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Assistant coach Jonathan MetzgerJones will face a week-long suspension following involvement in an altercation during a recent game CHRISTINA LIU / AGGIE

Schiff, the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee during the two impeachment trials for former President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6. insurrection at the Capitol, talked about how fragile democracy in the U.S. has become. “It may seem self-evident now, but at the time it was a shocking conclusion to reach,” Schiff said. “That the predominant threat to our country, for the first time, came from within. Why we have been vulnerable to a demagogue in this country and why we have seen a rise in autocracy in other parts of the world is that there has been a real revolution in the nature of our economy, and the global economy. The workplace is being transformed, and millions of people are feeling a profound sense of economic anxiety, people in the middle class are desperately worried, and so many working-class families are worried whether they will ever come up.” The meet-and-greet happened two days after a mass shooting at the East Lansing campus of Michigan State University. Emily Ault, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action in Davis, attended the event to show her support for Schiff, who she said has demonstrated that he is a ‘strong gun sense’ candidate. “With him being elected, I hope he revisits H.R.8 — that is the law that

requires new background checks to be established —and that he continues to advocate for stronger gun laws to prevent easy access,” Ault said. “He has shown that he wants to consider banning AR-15s, banning assault weapons and he has been such a strong supporter of common-sense gun legislation.” Nancy Simpon, another event attendee, shared a similar sentiment. Simpson said Schiff should continue to advocate for gun control reform, following in Sen. Feinstein’s footsteps of implementing federal gun control. “With the mass shooting on the 13th, I am hoping with him being in the Senate, that the Senate becomes involved in regulating guns,” Simpson said. “Especially with him taking Senator Feinstein’s place, who was really a great pioneer in the area of gun control.” Steven Tham, a student at UC Davis, said that after receiving a flier for the meet-and-greet event, they were curious to see what Schiff would have to say. “If he was elected, I would like for him to invest in all the undergraduate talent and to strengthen freedom of speech,” Tham said. “And I would say that another one would be to support and update hate-crime legislation.” ADAMSCHIFF on 3

BY SYDNEY AMESTOY

campus@theaggie.org UC Davis Men’s Basketball assistant coach Jonathan Metzger-Jones is facing an extended suspension following his involvement in an altercation during the Feb. 11 game against UC Santa Barbara. The event took place late in the game, and the two players involved were ejected from the game for the remainder of the second half and were both suspended from the following game. During the event, two elderly fans sitting on the sidelines were knocked over. After further review, Metzger-Jones was also suspended from the next game for his actions during the altercation, a penalty that was later increased to one week of suspension. “After additional review and

consultation, I have decided to extend assistant men’s basketball coach Jonathan Metzger-Jones’ suspension from all team activities for one week including the two upcoming contests,” UC Davis athletic director Rocko DeLuca said in a Feb. 15 press release. “Coach Metzger-Jones has acknowledged his conduct fell way short of our expectations and has accepted full responsibility for his actions.” Metzger-Jones was the only coach suspended, alongside the two players, Ty Johnson of UC Davis and Andre Kelly of UC Santa Barbara. Johnson did not face further suspension and played in the team’s victorious Feb. 20 game against UC San Diego. As of Feb. 21, Metzger-Jones had not responded to a request for comment.

Turkish American Association of California holds candlelight vigil in downtown Davis In a response to the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, CalTurks hosts fundraiser and vigil on Feb. 19 BY MADELEINE YOUNG city@theaggie.org

READ MORE UC Davis announces launch of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics

The research center will be a hub for the UC Davis neuroscience community to propel knowledge on the mechanisms of psychedelics and create effective therapeutics. SEE PAGE 8

On Feb. 19, the Sacramento chapter of the Turkish American Association of California (CalTurks) held a candlelight vigil and fundraiser in Davis Central Park to mourn and raise funds for the victims of the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria that killed more than 40,000 people earlier this month. Volunteers and organizers set up tables with Turkish cookies, cakes, art and lemonade as part of a fundraiser to support the victims of the earthquakes. Demet Candas-Green, President of the CalTurk Sacramento chapter, organized the event. “We’re here to raise funds for the earthquake victims,” Candas-Green said. “We wanted to bring the Turkish community together since Turkish people like to gather and mourn together, so that’s what we’re doing here. Everyone was so eager to come and help bake stuff and make lemonade.” After the fundraiser concluded, viewers gathered around candles that were lit in the formation of the crescent

moon and star, featured on Turkey’s flag, and the speakers shared their words of condolence. Professor, author and founder of the Middle East/South Asia Studies Program at UC Davis Baki Tezcan spoke. “It’s very difficult to find anything to say really when we are talking about as many people as almost there are in Davis disappearing at once,” Tezcan said. “But it’s so great that so many people showed up here. It’s wonderful to be part of a community like this in Davis.” A l o n g s i d e Te z c a n , C i t y Councilmember Gloria Partida also shared thoughts on the tragedy and how it affects the Turkish community in Davis. “On behalf of the city of Davis, we extend our condolences to your country,” Partida said. “There are many things about the city of Davis that I love and one of those is its great diversity. We have a number of people who come

from all over the world and they add so greatly to the fabric of our community and so we know that the people that are here are sharing their lives with us. They have a great deal of their heart in the country they come from, so I understand the deep pain that you are feeling right now and so it is very special for me to be able to share this moment with you as we hold each other and we comfort each other.” Melissa Kucukdemirci, a fourthyear psychology major, attended the event after seeing a flier promoting it on campus. “I’m Turkish and my family wasn’t affected, but everybody knows somebody who has been affected by the earthquakes,” Kucukdemirci said. “It was so nice seeing everybody come out to support the victims.” Partida shared what people in Davis can do to show their support for the affected communities. “If there’s any way we can assist, we should be sending funds because

A candlelight vigil was held on Feb. 19 to honor the victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Madeleine Young / Courtesy)

everybody wants to do something in these moments,” Partida said. “We feel so helpless and we feel like there’s not a lot we can do, but just being here at this moment is a lot.