In this episode of "I Can't Even"...
Where to begin? So a member of a state panel advising the director of Oregon’s Health Authority (OHA) made a wild Testudinidae impression at a meeting by proclaiming, “I use they, them and turtle for my pronouns.”
Really. With a straight face, no less.
JD Holt, who also goes by “JD Terrapin” on Facebook, made the ridiculous declaration while introducing" themself" at a virtual council meeting.
Hello everybody, it's JD. I use they, them and turtle for my pronouns. I'm in the Springfield-Eugene area and I get to be part of the council.
Yeah, this is real:
Meet JD Terrapin Holt, an actual member of the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council. JD uses "Turtle/They/Them" pronouns and helps develop policies surrounding mental health and addiction.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 10, 2025
This is real…pic.twitter.com/fASoZkJN6V
Gender Wiki, a website that documents "non-binary genders," describes “turtlegender” — also dubbed “tortoisegender” — as a “xenogender” identity in which a person"feels a gender connection to turtles.”
"One may feel their gender is replaced by a 'turtle,' or their gender is best described with the use of turtles," according to the site.
OK stop the crazy train — I want to get off.
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Anyway, no word on whether the diet of "turtlegender" people consists of aquatic plants, algae, insects, crustaceans, snails, or carrion (decaying flesh).
OHA said every member of the council and their perspectives “are highly valued.” Spokesperson Amber Shoebridge told FOX News:
In following Oregon statute, every member of the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council is someone with lived experience, bring [sic] the voice and experiences of people across the state that have experienced behavioral health challenges.
Here's more, via Fox:
Holt ... is one of roughly two dozen "consumers" on the OHA's Consumer Advisory Council (OCAC). The council, established by administrative statute, is appointed by OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, who was appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat.
The purpose of the OCAC is to advise Hathi on the state's provision of mental health services, including through investigations and reviews of current practices.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, OHA said that every member of the Consumer Advisory Council and the perspectives they bring "are highly valued."
Duties of the advisory council include the ability to "investigate," "evaluate" and "recommend" the state's behavioral health resources. Specifically, the OCAC "develops a working plan with recommendations and goals" every year, and is also given the authority to establish "committees to investigate specific areas of interest related to Behavioral Health services."
Since I'm not an expert on people who identify as turtles, I wonder what "recommendations" the OCAC makes to such people — er — turtles.
According to a Fox News review of Holt's public Facebook posts, the "turtle" has promoted "anarchist" causes and encouraged people to obstruct immigration enforcement actions.
WHAT TO DO AT AN ICE CHECKPOINT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WHITE and/or FEEL THE NEED TO JAM UP THE WORKS," Holt wrote in a Jan. 29 Facebook post. Holt's post encouraged people to yell and scream at federal immigration authorities and make their jobs as "difficult and uncomfortable" as possible.
"ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WHITE." Hmmm. I was unaware that turtles are racist.
I really do need to get out more.
You know — get comfortable in other people's shells so I can better understand them.
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