Responses to Hate

Calling for help

Sometimes, the support we’re receiving isn’t enough. If you feel suicidal, you can call 988 and dial the number “3” to talk to a counselor who has been specifically trained to support LGBTQ+ youth.

Or try one of these alternatives to 988: https://trans-survivors.com/2022/11/06/calling-988-active-rescue-active-harm/

Wiggins, C. (2023, April 7). White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the option during Thursday’s White House Press briefing. The Advocate. https://www.advocate.com/lgbt-youth/lgbtq-youth-crisis-hotline

Offering amendments

Nebraska state senator Megan Hunt filed amendments to an anti-drag bill that would postpone it indefinitely, replace “drag show” with “beauty pageant,” require manufacturers of chocolate-coated candy to identify the candy’s birth gender, and bar minors from religious camps because of a “well-documented history of indoctrination and sexual abuse perpetrated by religious leaders and clergy people upon children.”

Cohen, K. (2023, June 6). Opinion: How to stop bullies who insist on enforcing the gender binary. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/06/trans-laws-drag-queen-gender-binary/

Inviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to be your guests

After the Los Angeles Dodgers dis-invited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their 2023 Pride event, the mayor of Anaheim, California extended to them an invitation to attend the Angeles Pride Night. “Pride should be inclusive and like many, I was disappointed in the Dodgers decision,” she said.

The Dodgers later re-invited the group.

City News Service. (2023, May 22). Anaheim mayor invites queer and trans nun group to Angels Stadium Pride Night. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/anaheim-mayor-invites-queer-and-trans-nun-group-to-angels-stadium-pride-night/3157168/

Spreading the word you’ll ship hormones even to states with bans

That’s what Honeybee Health does if you do not live in Alabama, Indiana, Louisiana, or Montana. If your provider will partner with them, the controlled hormones can be shipped to most states, as well.  No insurance accepted. https://honeybeehealth.com/

Email, May 16, 2023.

Taking your slammed music to #1 on the charts

Christian musician Derek Webb collaborated with Christian drag musician Flamy Grant for the music video to “Boys Will Be Girls,” Webb’s song about loving queer people who have been abandoned by the church. In the video, Grant helps Webb transform into a blue-haired drag queen, and the two sing the song’s final verse inside of a church.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Christian activist Sean Feucht slammed the two on Twitter “for the perversion you tried to force on kids.” As a result of the controversy, not only did the song become number 2 on iTunes’ Christian and Gospel music singles, but the album the song came from, Bible Belt Baby, also became number 1 among all of iTunes’ Christian and Gospel music albums, helping Grant make history as the first drag queen ever to do so.

Grant commented, “If you’re gonna come for a drag queen, you better be ready for how she comes back. She comes back with an army of love.”

Villarreal, D. (2023, July 31). An anti-LGBTQ+ activist helped a drag queen become America’s #1 Christian musician. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/07/an-anti-lgbtq-activist-helped-a-drag-queen-become-americas-1-christian-musician/

Moving trans people and families to a safe place

Trans man Jacob Rostovsky figures $47,000 will cover rent, relocation, and other expenses and fees to move a trans family to Palm Springs. The Trans and Non-Binary Sanctuary Program is a part of Queer Works, an LGBTQ+ mental health and homeless outreach nonprofit in Palm Springs. He’s trying to raise $755,000 to move 15 families. 30 are already on the waiting list.

Balchan, K. (2023, May 17). Nonprofit seeks to help relocate transgender, non-binary residents of ‘dangerous states.’ The Palm Springs Post. https://thepalmspringspost.com/nonprofit-seeks-to-help-relocate-transgender-non-binary-residents-of-dangerous-states/

Protesting Lauren Boebert

Parents in Dolores, Colorado protested – after the fact – that Rep. Lauren Boebert was allowed to visit a school and talk about “moral decay,” Jesus, and how the COVID-19 pandemic was used to infringe on civil liberties. They had been told she would be visiting, but were not allowed to attend. One parent said students “who are not white and who are LGBT” were victimized by the visit. 

Bollinger, A. (2023, April 26). Parents are outraged that Lauren Boebert was allowed to spread to students at their school. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/parents-are-outraged-that-lauren-boebert-was-allowed-to-speak-to-students-at-their-school/

Running across the U.S.

That’s what transgender endurance athlete Cal Dobbs is doing to raise awareness of anti-trans legislation, especially bills restricting trans people’s ability to play sports.

https://www.caldobbs.com/

Suing the governor

Hamburger Mary’s, the flamboyant, drag-themed iconic burger joint found in gayborhoods across America, is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida over the state’s new drag ban. They say the law violates their First Amendment rights, and that they have lost 20% of their reservations for the Sunday (family-friendly) drag shows and other events.

Owen, G. (2023, May 23). Hamburger Mary’s sues Ron DeSantis as his drag ban drives away their customers. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/05/hamburger-marys-sues-ron-desantis-as-his-drag-ban-drives-away-their-customers/

Deplatforming anti-trans trolls

YouTube demonetized The Matt Walsh Show when its owner violated the platform’s terms of service when he repeatedly misgendered trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney after she posted a video showing a Bud Light tallboy with a custom portrait of her on it. Mulvaney’s video sparked a right-wing boycott of the beer, which Matt Walsh promoted. Walsh allegedly made $1.2 million a year on the show.

Owen, G. (2023, April 21). Hate troll Matt Walsh loses YouTube & Twitter platforms partly because of his Dylan Mulvaney hatred. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/hate-troll-matt-walsh-loses-youtube-twitter-platforms-partly-because-of-his-dylan-mulvaney-hatred

Putting it on anyway

When Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, bowed to parent complaints and canceled the play “Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood” because one female character confesses her love for a woman and another declares they are nonbinary, the students protested. 16-year-old Peyton reminded the school board of their own anti-bullying initiatives that teach children not to tolerate hate. “By taking down this play, you’re following the opposite of that message,” she said. “You are teaching students to fold at the first sign of struggle.” The school board stayed folded, but the students: they raised the funds, supporters, and audience and put the play on themselves.

Natanson, H. (2023, May 31). Their high school canceled an LGBTQ play. These teens put it on anyway. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/05/31/marian-school-theater-lgbtq-indiana/

Starting a political action committee

Nebraska Senators Machaela Cavanaugh, John Fredrickson, and Megan Hunt have founded a political action committee, Don’t Legislate Hate, to support pro-equality candidates for state legislatures around the nation. Cavanaugh had left a long filibuster against anti-trans legislation; Hunt is a bisexual woman with a trans son. Fredrickson is a gay man. “We just thought we should put our heads together, and we should combine our resources and start a PAC so that we can bring hope to the LGBTQ+ community. We can let them know that someone is fighting for them.”

Ring, T. (2023, April 14). Nebraska lawmakers take fight against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation nationwide. The Advocate. https://www.advocate.com/politics/machaela-cavanaugh-frederickson-hunt-pac

Turning their words around

Rep. Lauren Boebert tweeted in 2022, “Take your children to CHURCH, not drag bars.” The Roaring Fork Divas answered with a drag queen storytime that included stories “that spread messages of self-love and inclusivity” in Spanish, English, and American Sign Language. One parent in attendance remarked about Boebert, “It is highly inappropriate for bigoted people to sexualize children’s events for political gain.”

Bollinger, A. “Lauren Boebert told drag queens to stay out of her district. They came & everyone had a good time. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/lauren-boebert-told-drag-queens-to-stay-out-of-her-district-they-came-everyone-had-a-good-time/

Bringing the drag queens on anyway

Even though a judge has temporarily blocked a law banning drag queen performances, Pop star Hayley Kiyoko was warned by law enforcement on the day of her performance that she could not include drag queens in her Nashville concert because it was an all-ages audience. She did anyway.

Russell, J. (2023, May 3). Cops told Hayley Kiyoko she couldn’t have drag queens in her show. She brought them onstage anyway. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/05/cops-told-hayley-kiyoko-she-couldnt-have-drag-queens-in-her-show-she-brought-them-onstage-anyway/ 

Using the hashtag #TransPeopleAreLoved

Share positivity by using the hashtag #TransPeopleAreLoved and join the community on Instagram and Twitter.

Learn more at linktr.ee/transpeopleareloved

Censuring a politician

What can you do when an elected official on “your” side votes against what you value? The Meyerland Area Democrats Club of Houston, Texas, decided to censure State Rep. Shawn Theirry. She had voted to support HB 900, a bill to ban LGBTQ+-themed books from schools. She was also one of four state Democrats to vote in favor of SB 14, a bill to ban trans youth from accessing gender-affirming healthcare. The Club noted she had campaigned on being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

Villarreal, D. (2023, May 16). Democrats censure ‘pro-LGBTQ+’ Texas rep who voted to ban books & trans healthcare. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/05/democrats-censure-pro-lgbtq-texas-rep-who-voted-to-ban-books-trans-healthcare/

Writing the textbook companies

Nine governors representing nearly 9 million students have sent a letter to leading textbook companies decrying “the negative impact that censorship and book-banning has on this nation’s students.” The letter indicates that the governors are watching closely to see if attacks on the companies by right-wing governors – such as DeSantis – are producing books that are “inappropriately censored.”

Sargent, G. and Waldman, P. (2023, June 1). Opinion: In a deep red Florida county, a student-teacher revolt shames the right. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/01/hernando-county-ron-desantis-book-bans-democratic-governors/

Filing a lawsuit

Students at West Texas A&M University have sued its president Walter Wendler for canceling a campus drag show benefiting the Trevor Project. Wendler called drag “derisive, divisive, and demoralizing misogyny” and compared it to blackface. Students charge the move violated their free speech rights and also a campus free speech law signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2020.

Russell, J. (2023, March 27). A university president canceled a drag show & compared it to blackface. Now students are suing. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/a-university-president-canceled-a-drag-show-compared-it-to-blackface-now-students-are-suing/

Performing in drag at awards shows

Four Drag Race alums accompanied country music star Kelsea Balleriti during her rendition of her hit, “If You Go Down, I’m Goin’ Down Too” at the CMT awards.

Owen, G. (2023, April 3). Drag queens crash CMT awards performance after drag was banned in the country music capital. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/drag-queens-crash-cmas-performance-after-drag-was-banned-in-the-country-music-capital/

Lobbying your father publicly

David Gianforte, 32, who identifies as nonbinary and gay, formally asked for a meeting with his father, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte to give him a prepared statement urging him to veto anti-trans legislation. He was not successful.

Medina, E. (2023, April 27). Montana Governor’s nonbinary son calls on him to reject transgender bills. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/27/us/montana-governor-son-nonbinary.html#

Jay, C. (2023, April 27). Montana Gov. Gianforte’s son comes out publicly, details discussion with dad about anti-trans bills. Daily Kos. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/4/27/2166235/-Montana-Gov-Gianforte-s-son-comes-out-publicly-details-discussion-with-dad-about-anti-trans-bills

Planning your move

If you are considering moving to a friendlier state, a really helpful guide has been issued by the Human Rights Campaign. The title is “LGBTQ+ Americans fight back: A guidebook for action,” but the “action” seems to be focused on moving. The guide includes a (of course, already outdated) list of positive and negative legislation in each state; how to identify friendly states; determining healthcare access; finding work; financing a move; finding/building community; school boards; filing complaints with federal civil rights offices; knowing the enemy/opposition; having hard conversations; and contacting your elected officials. 

Human Rights Campaign. (2023). LGBTQ+ Americans fight back: A guidebook for action. Human Rights Campaign. https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/LGBTQ-Guidebook-for-Action.pdf 

Fighting back

A drag Story Hour event I Manhattan hosted by New York Attorney General Letitia James drew 40 protesters and more than 100 supporters. “One man was arrested while another’s face appeared to have been bloodied.” Someone later quoted someone saying, “I came here to help, not get the shit beat out of me” – a member of Proud Boys, with visible blood on this face ushered away from Drag Queen Story Hour event in NYC as protesters change ‘Fuck the Proud Boys.’”

Russell, J. (2023, March 20). Proud Boys left bloodied in clash outside NYC Drag Story Hour. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/proud-boys-left-bloodied-in-clash-outside-nyc-drag-story-hour/

Issuing a formal statement of policy

The White House issued a formal statement of policy in opposition to H.R. 734, the so-called “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023,” which would have barred trans girls and women from women’s sports teams.

Direct email from the White House, April 17, 2023.

Organizing professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes

Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization focused on creating LGBTQ+-inclusive athletic environments, got 40 prominent athletes to write a letter opposing H.R. 734, a Congressional bill that would ban transgender and intersex girls and women from participating in sports. The letter urges “policymakers to turn their attention and effort to the causes women athletes have been fighting for decades, including equal pay, an end to abuse and mistreatment, uneven implementation of Title IX, and a lack of access and equity for girls of color and girls with disabilities, to name only a few.”

Oshin, O. (2023, April 10). Athletes pen letter to House: Drop trans sports ban. The Hill. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3943350-athletes-pen-letter-to-house-drop-trans-sports-ban/

Dedicating your Time 2023 Woman of the Year Award to trans women

Soccer star Megan Rapinoe dedicated her Time 2023 Woman of the Year award to trans women, saying, “I am only here because of them. [Transgender people] offer us a full view of what it means to be a human in the world. A whole opportunity to be the crazy ass human beings that we are. That’s a great gift.”

Russell, J. (2023, July 11). Megan Rapinoe slams Dave Chappelle & Marina Navratilova for transphobia. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/07/megan-rapinoe-slams-dave-chappelle-martina-navratilova-for-transphobia/

Practicing civil disobedience

Advocacy and voter turnout didn’t work: it’s time for civil disobedience. “Civil disobedience is the practice of not voluntarily participating in your own oppression or the oppression of others. It requires openly defying laws that are unjust…. [I]t raises the cost of discrimination. Oppression relies, in part, on the compliance of bystanders. When people start flagrantly ignoring rules, it costs time, money and energy from those in power to enforce their rules. If enough people – especially allies – refuse to play along, those in power cannot continue to uphold an unjust system.” Anti-trans sports ban ideas: enroll trans athletes in the sport they want; forfeit the game if the opposing side objects; lay across tracks and paths for cross country or track; refuse to tie swim meets.

Munoz, V. (2023, April 23). Lobbying didn’t stop Kansas anti-trans bill. Here’s what will, even after it goes into effect. Kansas Reflector. https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/23/lobbying-didnt-stop-kansas-anti-trans-bill-heres-what-will-even-after-it-goes-into-effect/ 

Ending a business relationship

Alaskan publisher Sasquatch Books has quit selling three children’s books illustrated by Mitchell Thomas Watley, who was arrested for “terroristic threatening” for placing notes in several businesses. The notes depicted an assault rifle superimposed over the trans flag with text reading, “Feeling Cute Might Shoot Some Children.” Several Alaskan bookstores also pulled the books.

Thiessen, M. and Bohrer, B. (2023, April 5). Publisher drops children’s illustrator for anti-trans notes. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/alaska-transgender-threats-mitchell-watley-9306e7e85c9f432e7bd2c79c13498c15

Supporting asylums for trans youth

Trans youth age 18+ can request asylum in a non-hostile state from A Place for Marsha. The organization is recruiting volunteers who can provide a room in a safe state, transportation, casework, professional expertise, or donations. https://www.aplaceformarshaofficial.org/

Calling out mom

Alex, a 16-year-old trans person who uses they/she pronouns, publicly objected to a Free Press article interviewing their mom, who said she had been “bullied” into consenting to Alex’s puberty blockers, and that those puberty blockers caused Alex’s subsequent drop in grades and suicidal thoughts. Alex said those claims were “exaggerated.”

Russell, J. (2023, April 5). Brave teen publicly calls out their mother for telling their story wrong in rightwing media. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/gender-fluid-teen-rebukes-mom-who-claimed-doctors-pressured-her-into-approving-puberty-blockers/

Remembering the odds are in our favor

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Federation Institute’s 2022 State Equality Index found that only 29 of 2022’s 315 anti-LGBTQ bills became law, less than 10%.

Yurcaba, Jo. (2023, January 26). Less than 10% of 2022’s anti-LGBTQ state bills became law, report finds. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/less-10-2022s-anti-lgbtq-state-bills-became-law-report-finds-rcna67619

Bringing on the drag queens anyway

Even though a judge temporarily blocked a law banning drag queen performances, Pop star Hayley Kiyoko was warned by law enforcement on the day of her performance that she could not include drag queens in her Nashville concert because it was an all-ages audience. She did anyway.

Russell, J. (2023, May 3). Cops told Hayley Kiyoko she couldn’t have drag queens in her show. She brought them onstage anyway. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/05/cops-told-hayley-kiyoko-she-couldnt-have-drag-queens-in-her-show-she-brought-them-onstage-anyway/

Designating a Transgender History Month

The state of California has become the first U.S. state to establish a Transgender History Month, to be recognized in August beginning in 2024. Its sponsor said, “I believe that as Californians our strongest defense against the anti-trans agenda is just to tell the truth.”

Russell, J. (2023, September 7). California just became the first U.S. state to establish Transgender History Month. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/09/california-just-became-the-first-u-s-state-to-establish-transgender-history-month/ 

Filing a lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit over Tennessee’s SB1, a bill that bans gender-affirming care for minors and forces others to detransition by March 2024. The lawsuit claims lawmakers “made comments reflecting moral disapproval or disbelief of youth who identify as transgender” while debating the bill, showing that it wasn’t based on science but instead on the lawmakers’ antipathy towards trans people. The lawsuit concludes that SB1 discriminates, was motivated by an intent to discriminate, and is administered in a discriminatory manner against a group of people defined by sex and transgender status while not achieving any legitimate state goal.

Bollinger, A. (2023, April 27). Biden administration sues Tennessee over trans gender-affirming care ban. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/biden-administration-sues-tennessee-over-trans-gender-affirming-care-ban/

Adopting a pseudonym and publish a book

Nonbinary, queer, Muslim and immigrant, Hijab Butch Blues author Lamya H decided that the best way to advocate for her various identities was to protect herself and her chosen and bio family by writing her memoir under a pseudonym.

Appreciating trans workplace advancements

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 corporate equality index surveyed 1,200 companies and found:

• 97% have protections for nonbinary and trans workers;
• More than 660 have adopted gender-transition guidelines;
• 66% of Fortune 500 companies have trans-inclusive health care benefits; and
• 22 times as many employers offer trans-inclusive health care benefits now as there were in 2009.

Gonzales, M. (22023, March 30). Transgender inclusion at work reaches record numbers. SHRM.org. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/pages/transgender-inclusion-at-work-reaches-record-numbers.aspx

Refusing to talk to a Child Protective Services official alone

If you are a child being investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS) at school, you are allowed to demand having a lawyer or guardian present.

McMenamin, L. (2023, March 31). How to stay safe as a trans student in school. Them. https://www.them.us/story/how-to-stay-safe-as-a-trans-student-in-school

Ordering banned books returned to shelves

Texas judge Robert Pitman ordered at least 12 books removed from Llano County public libraries because of their LGBTQ and racial content be returned to shelves and catalogues within 24 hours.

Elassar, A., Romine, T., and Rose, A. (2023, April 1). Judge orders books removed from Texas public libraries due to LGBTQ and racial content must be returned within 24 hours. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/01/us/texas-book-ban-removed-library-replaced-judge/index.html 

Moving to Florida

“’When your freedoms are literally being taken away, you have to fight,’ said Janelle Perez, who lives in Miami with her wife and two children. Her family fled to Florida from Cuba, and the efforts that they’ve made to build a life – a neighborhood full of siblings, devoted grandparents, supportive queer friends – are too immense to leave behind. ‘I’m not going to let these people push us out,’ she said. ‘We want people to come here and organize and support us.’ This echoes a sentiment shared by many parents and youth organizers. They work that if supportive adults leave the state, queer and trans children will be left to fend for themselves in an increasingly hostile environment.”

Hamilton, C. (2023, March 27). One year after ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ Florida parents say they’re enraged and afraid. Them. https://www.them.us/story/dont-say-gay-florida-ron-desantis-one-year-later

Practicing civil disobedience and get arrested

Nineteen people were arrested during a protest over SB 150, a Kentucky omnibus anti-trans bill that the Governor vetoed and the legislature overrode.

Erin (2023, March 30). Kentucky Rep. Stevenson rebukes anti-trans law as protestors arrested in gallery in surreal scene. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/kentucky-rep-stevenson-rebukes-anti

Asking hard questions

Missouri State Representative Phil Christofanelli repeatedly asked his colleague Ann Kelley about Martha Washington and whether she could be discussed under her House Bill 634, which called for “No classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties relating to sexual orientation or gender identity shall occur.” After multiple exchanges, Kelley finally admitted that she didn’t know if her bill would affect discussions about George Washington’s wife.

Owen, G. (2023, March 7). State rep sponsoring Don’t Say Gay law gets skewered by her Republican colleague. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/state-rep-sponsoring-dont-say-gay-law-gets-skewered-by-her-republican-colleague/

Sending a letter to your sister city

Solvang (CA) was built to echo Copenhagen’s style. So Copenhagen’s mayor, Lord Mayor Sophie Haestorp Andersen, was not pleased when she “was informed that the local opposition to put up Pride flags around town was justified with regard to Danish values and transitions.” “That’s why I think it was incredibly important to kindly make aware that these are not values we can answer for in Copenhagen.”

Owen, G. (2023, May 2). Copenhagen’s mayor calls out tiny California town’s hostile Pride debate. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/05/copenhagens-mayor-calls-out-tiny-california-towns-hostile-pride-debate/

Testing a new anti-drag law

Florida’s new anti-drag bill (SB1438) passed with an amendment that subjects city officials to charges if they issue a permit for an event that exposes children to “adult live performances.” Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo announced he is going in drag as “Lady Vote” in his city’s Stonewall Pride Parade. “Personally, I don’t believe drag performances at our stonewall cultural event are illegal,” he wrote. “I believe they are of artistic and political value, and I am comfortable showing up in drag. If the Governor disagrees with that, he is welcome to recall my seat and we can fight it out in the courts.” “It’s an opportunity to clash with the Governor if he wants to push an abusive, inappropriate interpretation of the law and infringe on my civil rights.”

Geggis, A. (2023, May 19). Wilton Manors Pride event features Commissioner as “Lady Vote” testing new anti-drag law.  Florida Politics. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/613321-wilton-manors-pride-event-features-commissioner-as-lady-vote-testing-new-anti-drag-law/

Supporting a fund for those criminalized for accessing gender-affirming healthcare

The Transgender Law Center has established a specific legal defense fund to provide resource for trans people facing investigation, arrest or prosecution for seeking healthcare. https://transgenderlawcenter.org/trans-health-legal-fund

Petitioning to ban the bible

A Utah parent, petitioning the Davis School District, has called the bible “one of the most sex-ridden books around,” and included 8 pages of passages the parent says are considered unacceptable under the book ban law. “Incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide,” the parent noted. The requests was passed to the committee in charge of clearing books.

Russell, J. (2023, March 24). Book ban lawmaker ‘very sad’ that a parent is using his law to ban the ‘sex-ridden’ Bible. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/book-ban-sponsor-very-sad-that-parent-is-using-the-law-to-ban-the-sex-ridden-bible/

Downloading and reading the Equality Mental Health Toolkit

This attractively-designed, 32-page toolkit is designed for adults who want to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly in this time of cultural attack. Covers suicidal ideation and self-harm, addresses how to start the conversation, and includes many good resources.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BNMHx7f6C0vWytSaFgS-Cl8wiQ6AQ0L4/view

Reminding yourself how much public support trans people have

71% of Kentuckians opposed SB 150, the omnibus anti-trans bill the governor vetoed and the legislature overrode.

Erin (2023, March 30). Kentucky Rep. Stevenson rebukes anti-trans law as protestors arrested in gallery in surreal scene. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/kentucky-rep-stevenson-rebukes-anti

Survey: “This is too much anti-trans legislation. Politicians are playing political theater and using these bills as a wedge issue”

• All voters 64%
• Democrats 72%
• Independents 65%
• Republicans 55%

Erin (2023, April 3). Bill gives Florida ‘Emergency Jurisdiction’ over trans kids in custody disputes, targets adult care. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/bill-gives-florida-emergency-jurisdiction

Joining PFLAG (in Texas)

 If you live in Texas, joining PFLAG will exempt your family from Child Protective Services investigations on the basis of supporting a trans child. It’s part of an injunction won by several legal advocacy groups.

McMenamin, L. (2023, March 31). How to stay safe as a trans student in school. Them. https://www.them.us/story/how-to-stay-safe-as-a-trans-student-in-school

Doubling the crowd

Even though a judge has ruled Tennessee’s drag queen ban unconstitutional because it was so “vague and substantially overbroad,” some of Tennessee’s attorneys general have decided the decision only applies to Shelby County, where the lawsuit was filed. That’s the background to Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond notifying Blout Pride Fest organizers that his office would prosecute anyone violating the law. Pride organizers filed a lawsuit against him, and the judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent Desmond from interfering in any way with the Pride event, whose attendance doubled over 2022’s.

Villarreal, D. (2023, September 5). District attorney’s threat to drag performers doubles attendance of Pride event. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/09/district-attorneys-threat-to-drag-performers-doubles-attendance-of-pride-event/

Daring officials to arrest you

Maren Morris, a Texas-born country star, told the state of Tennessee to arrest her during a speech at a pro-LGBTQ concert just weeks after the state announced a ban on drag shows near schools: “And yes, I introduced my [2-year-old] son to some drag queens today, so Tennessee, f-king arrest me.”

Clark, Jeffrey (2023, March 22). Country star Maren Morris introduces toddler to drag queens: ‘So Tennessee, f-king arrest me’. Fox News. https://nypost.com/2023/03/22/maren-morris-introduces-her-toddler-to-drag-queens/

Devoting a show to supporting trans rights and ‘celebrat[ing] the beauty’ of LGBTQ Community

Madonna added eight more shows to her Celebration Tour, “with Nashville’s Dec. 22 stop specifically supporting trans rights.” The Nashville show will also feature Bob the Drag Queen, and a portion of its proceeds will go to various trans rights organizations.

Sullivan, M. (2023, March 27). Madonna adds Nashville tour stop to support trans rights, ‘celebrate the beauty’ of LGBTQ community.  Yahoo. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/madonna-adds-nashville-tour-stop-150555611.html 

Having a designated helper

Fenway suggests working with school officials for a plan to support your trans child, including “who your child should seek out during the school day if they are feeling unsafe.”

Richgels, C., Cahill, S., Thompson, J., & Dunn, M. (2021.) State bills restricting access of transgender youth to health care, school facilities,, and school athletics threaten health and well-being: Policy Brief. Fenway, https://fenwayhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Anti-trans-legislation-policy-brief-FINAL.pdf

Passing a sanctuary law

California has passed a “law that aims to stop other states from punishing children who come to California for transgender surgeries and other gender-affirming care.” “The law will block out-of-state subpoenas, stop health providers from sharing information with out-of-state entities related to gender-affirming care. And it would give California courts authority to make an initial child custody determination if the child is in California for the propose [sic] of obtaining gender-affirming care.” It is not clear whether the new law will stand given the Constitution’s “full faith and credit” provision.

Beam, A. (2022, September 30). New law aims to make California haven for transgender youth. AP. https://apnews.com/article/california-gender-identity-sacramento-gavin-newsom-1bef273ba60e61a17960eaf8107f37f6

Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz wasn’t willing to wait for legislation; he issued an extensive executive order “safe state law.” It requires insurance companies to cover trans care at the “modern standards of care,” which include facial feminization surgery, hair removal, prosthetics, etc. It prohibits discrimination in education. It also bans the use of any resources whatsoever in enacting out of state anti-trans laws against people who flee to Minnesota to obtain their care.

Erin (2023, March 9). Minnesota’s order makes it one of the safest for trans people fleeing criminalizing states. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/minnesotas-order-makes-it-one-of

In May 2022, LGBTQ elected officials from 19 states pledged to introduce trans refuge legislation.

Weiner, S. (2022, May 3). LGBTQ lawmakers in 19 states have or will introduce laws to protect trans kids from civil and criminal penalties when seeking gender-affirming care. California State Senate. https://sd11.senate.ca.gov/news/20220503-lgbtq-lawmakers-19-states-have-or-will-introduce-laws-protect-trans-kids-civil-and

Talking about the actual needs of children

Kentucky State Rep. Pamela Stevenson told colleagues when discussing a bill to limit health care for trans minors and punish providers that they were doing “irreparable damage” by not ensuring no Kentucky child went hungry, experience racism, getting water into rural areas, address child homelessness, etc.

Sager, R. (2023, March 7). Kentucky rep drops the mic on authors of bill restricting gender-affirming care for trans kids. Daily Kos, https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/3/7/2156715/-Kentucky-rep-drops-the-mic-on-authors-of-bill-restricting-gender-affirming-care-for-trans-kids

Confronting the Governor at the governor’s scholar award event

Transgender high school senior Clementine Springsteen yelled, “Trans rights are human rights” in front of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) while receiving the governor’s scholar award. Others also protested at the event, wearing a dress in the colors of the trans Pride flag and another wearing a shirt reading, “Trans Rights Are Human Rights.” Springsteen said, “I want to inconvenience her, to make her realize that this is an issue.”

Villarreal, D. (2023, May 4). Student yells “Trans rights are human rights’ in front of Iowa’s anti-trans governor. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/05/student-yells-trans-rights-are-human-rights-in-front-of-iowas-anti-trans-governor/

Hosting a drag telethon

Drag Isn’t Dangerous telethon will feature a cast of drag superstars raising money for various LGBTQ+ charities in a one-night-only telethon.

Factora, J. (2023, March 22). Your favorite drag artists are hosting a telethon against drag bans. Them. https://www.them.us/story/drag-isnt-drangerous-telethon-bans

Supporting a lay lobbyist

Washington’s Gender Justice League pays $500 to each advocacy team member. “Whenever you speak in-person in front of a legislative committee, it brings feelings to the room. You get to see people’s comfort levels and build upon them.”  — Nicki, advocacy team member

Organizing State Attorneys General

16 State Attorneys General wrote Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to condemn his request that state universities complete a survey of the number of students who have accessed treatments for gender dysphoria, including gender reassignment surgeries and hormone prescriptions. Ages of the involved students were also requested.

Chen, S. (2023, March 4). 16 AGs condemn DeSantis’ request for info on transgender care from colleges. AXIOS. https://www.axios.com/2023/03/04/desantis-transgender-health-care-university

Suing for defamation

Blogger Summer Bushnell doctored a video of Idaho drag queen Eric Posey (who performs as Mona Liza Million) dancing at Coeur d’Alene’s 2022 Pride in the Park event. By blurring Posey’s groin, the video suggested he had exposed himself. Authorities found no crime, but Posey is suing Bushnell for defamation.

Russell, J. (2022, September 28). A rightwing blogger accused a Black drag queen of exposing herself. Now the queen is suing. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/09/rightwing-blogger-accused-black-drag-queen-exposing-now-queen-suing/

Making a donation and turning the news off

In an opinion piece entitled, “Hyperfocusing on new anti-trans bills may hurt more than it helps,” Katelyn Burns suggests: “If you are in a solidly blue state, I suggest disconnecting yourself from the constant fire hose of political news. Yes, we’re programmed to want to help and need to be aware  of escalations in the fight for our rights. But you’re better off finding a red-state trans-led organization or a national trans legal organization to donate to than losing precious sleep and sanity obsessing over every news cycle.”

Burns, K. (2023, January 31). Hyperfocusing on new anti-trans bills may hurt more than it helps. MSNBC.com. https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/hyperfocusing-new-anti-trans-bills-may-hurt-helps-rcna68398

Signing an executive order protecting access to care

New York Mayor Eric Adams has signed an executive order that will protect access to transgender care by preventing the use of city resources to detain, prosecute or investigate any individual who is providing or receiving gender-affirming health care services. He remarked, “This executive order reaffirms the fact that hate has no place in our city and that all people deserve the right to gender-affirming care and protection against prosecution for being who they are.”

Alfonseca, K. (2023, June 12). New York City mayor signs executive order to protect access to gender-affirming care. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-signs-executive/story?id=100011972

Draw parallels

Transgender Education Network of Texas – TENT – ran an education campaign using trans people and allies pictured with their pets. “In Texas, pets are protected by well-developed legislation and policies, whereas their trans owners and other trans individuals are not.”

Passing positive legislation

Illinois signed into law a multi-part measure that requires health insurers to provide coverage, with no copays, for gender-affirming hormone medications.

McKinney, D. (2023, January 13). Pritzker signs an abortion law protecting Illinois providers and out-of-state patients. WBEZ. https://www.wbez.org/stories/pritzker-signs-an-abortion-law-protecting-out-of-state-patients/48c2693b-9758-4993-ad2c-3d20cfa8fbc0

Substituting a pro-trans statement for scheduled release

Gay fetishwear brand Nasty Pig was supposed to issue a letter about the brand’s spring/summer collection, but CEO and founder David Lauterstein instead wrote to  urge the brand’s followers “to understand the gravity of this [anti-trans} legislation and how it affects our whole queer community.”

Factora, J. (2023, March 13). Kum & Go is not afraid to say ‘trans rights.’ Them. https://www.them.us/story/kum-and-go-trans-rights

Letting the kids be heroes

At a Youngstown, Ohio Pride celebration, a man stood up in the audience with a megaphone yelling “pervert,” etc. The drag artist started singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which the audience joined in on, and then “In the end he ran off, pursued not by parents, not by security, but by queer and nonbinary teenagers. They were wearing Pride flags as capes, like the heroes that they are.”

Owen, G. (2023, February 20). These three drag queens have been targeted by the far-right. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/02/these-three-drag-queens-have-been-targeted-by-the-far-right/

Sharing Hug Blankets and Hug Coins

Penzey’s spices donates to charity Hug Blankets and Hug Coins whenever one is bought. Trans Pride Initiative in Texas gives theirs away to trans children and youth. https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/hug-coin/c-24/p-3266/pd-s ; https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/hug-blanket/c-24/p-3281/pd-s

Trans Pride Initiative: https://tpride.org/

Sending in a national lawyer

ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio testified in Tennessee, giving them the dollar figures (in the millions) that litigation has cost Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas over their anti-trans legislation, and quoted the bill’s “specific lines [that] have been found untrue in court.” Bill did pass subcommittee.

Erin (2023, February 1). ‘Tennessee will not be able to defend this,’ ACLU’s Chase Strangio testifies against anti-trans bill.” https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/tennessee-will-not-be-able-to-defend

Being public about your lobbying and support

Midwestern gas station convenience store chain Kum & Go has tweeted its support of trans kids, had their lobbyists publicly lobby against every anti-trans bill in Iowa, and has on multiple occasions raised funds for trans rights.

Factora, J. (2023, March 13). Kum & Go is not afraid to say ‘trans rights.’ Them. https://www.them.us/story/kum-and-go-trans-rights

Participating in School Walkouts

In February, the Florida College Democrats and the group Dream Defenders organized a one-hour walkout at colleges throughout Florida. They were protesting Governor DeSantis’s anti-education, anti-diversity, and anti-trans actions. DeSantis has requested information from universities about “persons suffering from gender dysphoria” who have received care at campus clinics.

O’Connor, L. (2023, February 23). Florida students stage walkout over Ron DeSantis’ anti-trans, anti-diversity policies. Huffington Post. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/florida-college-walkout-desantis_n_63f7a52de4b0e2590d423d36

Students at Central High School in Nebraska walked out in support of a massive filibuster tying up the Nebraska legislature. 

Erin (2023, April 1). ‘Stand up fight back!’ – Trans day of visibility brings huge crowds, court victories. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/stand-up-fight-back-trans-day-of

Writing an op-ed

ACLU Lawyer Chase Strangio wrote an op-ed, “The New York Times’ dehumanizing trans double down – and its consequences,” that was published by MSNBC.com (February 22, 2023) https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/new-york-trans-coverage-jk-rowling-controversy-consequences-rcna71615

Participating in Jan 15 #TransphobiaIsASin Campaign

To participate in the annual #TransphobiaIsASin campaign, take a photo of yourself with a sign saying one of the following: “Transphobia is a Sin,” “Transphobia is Haram,” “Trans People are Divine,” or “Trans People Exist Because Our Ancestors Existed.” Use the hashtag #TransphobiaIsASin and post on social media on January 15.

Greenfield, B. (2023, February 28). “Trans people go to dances and find joy and are whole”: A mom’s viral photos of her daughter send a powerful message. Yahoo!life. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mom-viral-photos-transgender-daughter-powerful-message-173956015.html

Filibustering

Nebraska State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh has promised, “If this legislature collectively decides that legislating hate against children [anti-trans laws] is our priority, then I am going to make it painful; painful for everyone [by filibustering].” She did, for over a week.

Migdon, Brooke (2023, February 24). State lawmaker vows to filibuster all bills until GOP withdraws abortion, gender-affirming care bans. The Hill.  https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3873156-state-lawmaker-vows-to-filibuster-all-bills-until-gop-withdraws-abortion-gender-affirming-care-bans/

Erin (2023, March 11). Anti-trans legislative digest: drag bans, bounty hunters, and more. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/anti-trans-legislative-digest-drag

Nebraska State Senator Machaela Cavanugh filibustered for three weeks, “utilizing tactics such as dropping amendments onto bills and using up all floor hours for debate for every single amendment and bill that comes across her desk.”

In Missouri, Senators Razer, Beck, McCreery, and Arthur filibustered “all the way up until the legislative Spring Break in Missouri. Seeing no chance at passing any legislation, leadership called the break a day early.”

Erin (2023, March 15). Filibusters grind anti-trans bills in Missouri and Nebraska to a halt – here are the legislators standing up for trans kids. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/filibusters-grind-anti-trans-bills

“After Missouri Senate Democrats spent more than five hours filibustering a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, the GOP-controlled Senate on Wednesday delayed a vote on the bill and adjourned for more than a week.”

Bayless, K. (2023, March 8). Missouri Democrats block vote on transgender care ban, force MO Senate to adjourn early.” The Kansas City Star. https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article272861995.html

Collecting postcards

656 postcards were collected and delivered to Wyoming lawmakers in the first successful red trifecta states to vote down a trans health care limitation bill.

Erin, (2023, February 23). Trans activists score major victory in Wyoming, defeat healthcare ban in a red state for the first time in 2023. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/trans-activists-score-major-victory

 Promoting parents’ rights

Judges who have ruled trans-affirming care bans unconstitutional have done so in part by citing parental rights, ruling that the right of parents to make informed decisions about their children’s medical care is fundamental, meriting strict scrutiny. Under this heightened judicial standard any legislation that curtails such rights must be narrowly tailored and supported by an exceptionally persuasive rationale. The judges ruled that the care bans do not have that exceptionally persuasive rationale.

Reed, E. (2023, June 29). KY, TN judges debunk anti-trans arguments and block bans: The stunning opinions. Erin in the Morning. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/ky-tn-judges-debunk-anti-trans-arguments

Pointing out the hypocrisy

Republican Massachusetts secretary of state candidate Rayla Campbell waved a book “by an asexual and non-binary author that she claimed was ‘child pornography’ and said it should be banned from schools. Since she effectively admitted to being in possession of child pornography, someone called the police. An officer looked through the book and determined that it was not child pornography and she was not arrested.”

Bollinger, A. (2023, Feb. 15). George Santos & Marjorie Taylor Green cosponsor federal book ban bill. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/02/george-santos-marjorie-taylor-greene-cosponsor-federal-book-ban-bill/

Calling for a boycott

Citing “outright insulting” New York Times’s responses to letters of complaint, activist Erin Reed called for a boycott of the newspaper, giving readers multiple ways in which they could cancel their subscription.

Erin (2023, February 17). I signed a critical NYT trans letter. Their response is insulting. https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/i-signed-a-critical-nyt-tran-letter.

Introducing anti-religious indoctrination legislation

Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt (D) has responded to a proposed no-drag bill by filing a parallel bill: “The Legislature finds that there is a well documented history of indoctrination and sexual abuse perpetrated by religious leaders and clergy people upon children. Abusers within churches and other religious institutions often use events like church or youth-group-sponsored camps and retreats to earn children’s trust and gain unsupervised access to such children in order to commit such abuse.”

Sprayregen, M. (2023, January 30). Democrat files bill to ban church youth camps as hotbeds of child abuse & “religious indoctrination.” LGBTQ Nation.  https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/01/democrat-files-bill-to-ban-church-youth-camps-as-hotbeds-of-child-abuse-religious-indoctrination/

Knowing your rights at school

Southern Poverty Law Center is among those advocacy groups that provide know your rights materials for trans and/or LGBTQ people in school. This one’s a website and includes your rights in foster care: https://www.splcenter.org/know-your-rights-students-lgbtq-rights-school

Letting them fail

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene held an anti-trans rally January 11, 2023 at the Capitol. Only 12 or so people attended – most well-known anti-trans advocates – and no major media outlets covered it.

Villarreal, D. (2023, January 13). Marjorie Taylor Greene held an anti-trans rally at the Capitol and almost no one came. LGBTQ Nation, https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/01/marjorie-taylor-greene-held-anti-trans-rally-capitol-almost-no-one-came/

Helping families move overseas

50-year-old Rynn Azerial Willgohs has founded TRANSport, a nonprofit that will help trans people (particularly from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota) relocated overseas. She was motivated to do so by a hate crime and the Dobbs decision.

Villareal, D. (2023, January 15). A trans woman founded a group to help trans people leave the U.S. due to rising hate.  LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/01/trans-woman-founded-group-help-trans-people-leave-u-s-due-rising-hate/

Passing refuge legislation

19 states have legislation that would shield trans kids and their parents from penalties for seeking gender-affirming care.  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia

Wiener, S. (n.d.) Press release: LGBTQ lawmakers in 19 states have or will introduce laws to protect trans kids from civil and criminal penalties when seeking gender-affirming care. https://sd11.senate.ca.gov/news/20220503-lgbtq-lawmakers-19-states-have-or-will-introduce-laws-protect-trans-kids-civil-and

Using the Save the Rainbow Flag toolkit

The Save the Rainbow Flag toolkit includes the basics to get started in your community, like the ACLU’s open letter, Gilbert Baker Foundation’s statement, logo and poster files, and sample letters for local officials. Download here: https://gilbertbaker.com/save-the-rainbow-flag-toolkit/   

Publishing an op-ed

Some individuals and newspaper staff have taken to raising awareness about anti-trans issues by publishing op-ed pieces. Read an article from Iowa’s Gazette on the harmful bills impacting the LGBTQ community:

Iowa’s Gazette op ed: Iowa Republicans must drop harmful LGBTQ bills. 1/21/2023  https://www.thegazette.com/staff-editorials/iowa-republicans-must-drop-harmful-lgbtq-bills/ 

Increasing funding to drag queen story hour

NYC Council Members who have been harassed at home and at work for their support of Drag Queen Story Hour NYC are planning on increasing their funding of the group through their discretionary funds. 

Stark-Miller, E. (2023, February 3). Council members look to increase funding for Drag Story Hour, refuse to cower to far-right protesters. AM New York. https://www.amny.com/politics/council-members-look-to-increase-funding-for-drag-story-hour-refuse-to-cower-to-far-right-protesters/

Signing “A Better Texas for All Texans” Pledge

Texans can get involved in supporting trans, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ communities by signing “A Better Texas for All Texans” Pledge, which includes respect for LGBTQ+ people as essential to “promoting a competitive, economically vibrant Texas.”  https://www.texascompetes.net/pledge/  

Doing an injection in public

25-year-old Lindsey Spero gave himself his weekly hormone shot in front of the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine, which were debating a trans care ban. He said: “I’m going to take the rest of my time to demonstrate the sacred and weekly ritual of my shot in front of you in this body. My medication is lifesaving… Your denial of my need for this medication doesn’t make my existence as a trans person any less real.”

Sprayregen, M. (2023, Feb. 15) Trans activist injects testosterone in front of board at hearing to protest trans health care ban. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/02/trans-activist-injects-testosterone-in-front-of-board-at-hearing-to-protest-trans-health-care-ban/

Getting on clinic waitlists

If your state has or may outlaw gender-affirming care, think about getting on the waiting list of a clinic in a neighboring state. Dianne Piggott of the Transgender Health Program at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland notes that Idahoans face an 8-12 month waiting list for kids referred by another doctor, and urges people to get that referral and start the process immediately.

Issuing a presidential proclamation

On Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2023, President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation that addressed anti-trans state legislation in several ways: “A wave of discriminatory state laws is targeting Transgender youth, terrifying families and hurting kids who are not hurting anyone….[T]he Department of Justice is pushing back against extreme laws that seek to ban evidence-based gender-affirming health care…. Together, we also have to keep challenging the hundreds of hateful state laws that have been introduced across the country…”

“America is founded on the idea that all people are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout their lives. We have never fully lived up to that, but we have never walked away from it either. Today, as we celebrate Transgender people, we also celebrate every American’s fundamental right to be themselves, bringing us closer to realizing America’s full promise.”

Lavers, M. (2023, March 30). Biden recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility. Washington Blade. https://www.washingtonblade.com/2023/03/30/biden-issues-transgender-day-of-visibility-proclamation/

 Making your city a safe haven

Kansas City – in Missouri, which has passed multiple anti-trans laws – has approved a “resolution that directs City personnel to not criminally prosecute or impose administrative penalties on an individual or organization for providing, seeking, receiving, or assisting another individual who is seeking gender-affirming healthcare. If a law is put into place by the State of Missouri that imposes criminal punishment, civil liability, administrative penalties, or professional sanctions on an individual or organization against gender-affirming healthcare, staff is directed to make this their lowest priority. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is encouraged to adopt a similar policy.”

City of Kansas City (2023, May 11). Press release: Safe haven for transgender residents: Policy to protect Transgender residents approved. https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2040/1746 

Testifying before the legislature

Three religious families with trans kids have testified at the Missouri legislature, which considered at least 31 anti-trans bills this year. One father said he had come to believe the best – and possibly only – hope for heading off aggressive anti-trans bills is to humanize the children and their families to help lawmakers understand they are scarcely different from their own.

Cha, Ariana Eunjung (2023, February 28). ‘Our state is at war with our family’: Clergy with trans kids fight back. The Washington Post Magazine. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/02/28/missouri-transgender-bills/ 

Speaking directly to trans kids

Nebraska state Senator John Fredrickson, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, found his voice cracking as he emotionally recalled his mother’s acceptance and said, “To my LGBTQ family, I spoke to you at the beginning of the week, and I’ll speak to you again. Regardless of what happens today, heads up. Chins up. We’re survivors. Me standing in this room is proof of that.” 

Browning, B. (2023, March 24). Gay legislator breaks down in tears as he apologizes to trans people for disgusting GOP colleagues. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/gay-legislator-breaks-down-in-tears-as-he-apologizes-to-trans-people-for-disgusting-gop-colleagues/

Using Instagram to organize volunteers

An LGBTQ-owned Montana Book Company in Helena posted on Instagram asking for as many people as possible to show up when their Drag Story Hour was threatened on social media by an Oath Keeper. A drag queen appealed to crowds at other events where she was performing. On the day of the event, “groups of veterans and former law enforcement officers, in addition to about one hundred community supporters” played music and danced before fewer than one dozen anti-LGBTQ protestors.

Sprayregen, M. (2022, October 1). Bookstore mobilized supportive allies to protect Drag Story Hour from rightwing militia. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/09/bookstore-mobilized-supportive-allies-protect-drag-story-hour-rightwing-militia/ 

Outlawing book bans

Saying, “Here in Illinois, we don’t hide from the truth, we embrace it,” Governor JB Pritzker made Illinois the first state to make it illegal for libraries to ban books. “Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read, the art they see, the history they learn. In Illinois, we are showing the nation what it really looks like to stand up for liberty.” The law removes funding from libraries if they remove books from the shelf based on someone’s personal or partisan disapproval.

Sprayregen, M. (2023, June 13). Illinois becomes the first state to outlaw book bans in historic move. LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/06/illinois-becomes-the-first-state-to-outlaw-book-bans-in-historic-move-for-free-speech-rights/