When I returned from serving in Iraq, I suffered from severe post-traumatic-stress. I was prescribed a cocktail of prescription drugs from the VA for years; they didn’t help. In 2010, I began using marijuana exclusively to treat multiple symptoms of PTSD such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, and severe panic attacks. The results have been profound, marijuana has helped me live a more full and productive life. 

I was ecstatic my school was going to house Dr. Sisley’s study and find out just how marijuana works to alleviate PTSD symptoms. That was until I learned Dr. Sisley, the only person in the country who has federal approval to work with veterans and medical marijuana sourced from the federal government, was shown the door.

With no explanation for her termination given, it seems the University of Arizona fired Dr. Sisley for attempting to conduct research that may have caused backlash from state lawmakers. They let politics trump science, education, and veterans like me. Our nation’s veterans are committing suicide at astonishing rates, 22 times every single day, and the University of Arizona is blocking research to help them?

The university must reinstate Dr. Sisley, providing her with the necessary space and resources she needs to conduct her research. Her study could mean life or death for many veterans. “Bigger Questions, Better Answers, Bear Down,” is the Wildcat motto. Demand that President Hart and the University of Arizona live up to it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please sign my petition, the lives of many veterans may very well depend on it.

Did you see yesterday’s list of Emmy nominations? Did you know it was among the most LGBT-inclusive lists in Emmy history?

Even better, our dear friend Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category for her role as Sophia Burset in the hit Netflix Original Series Orange is the New Black!

Milestones like these not only prove our progress to date, but solidify GLAAD’s 29 years of championing for LGBT characters and stories in news and entertainment media as a mechanism towards achieving full and lasting equality.

Will you join us in celebrating Laverne and all the nominees by contributing $5, $10 or $20?

Each day, we see GLAAD rewriting the script on LGBT equality and we can’t do it without your support.

Yesterday’s announcement is truly historic, but our work is not done yet. To continue to see such advancements and protect what has been achieved, we need your help.

Help us rewrite the script on LGBT equality today.

Laverne Cox makes Emmy history; LGBT nominees abound

66th Emmy Awards nominees: ‘The Normal Heart,’ Laverne Cox, ‘Good Luck Charlie’ and more pick up nominations