By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQIA+ Lead

Over the past year, we learned about the various communities and the flags that they represent.  While there are many more to focus on, there are a lot of websites out there that can educate you on those flags that may have been missed.  They include such websites as https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags and https://rcsgd.sa.ucsb.edu/education/flags. 

A major focus for this year will be various organizations around the country or even the world that help, support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.  It’s a great way to learn about these organizations and perhaps invite them to your next meeting or for special speaking engagements.  The more we learn about these organizations the more we can network and offer the support they need via an ally or more.

Recently, there has been an uptick in various state capitols and cities proposing as well as passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, especially focusing on the transgender community.  They are the most vulnerable within the spectrum with transgender youth facing the most hatred and bullying currently.  It is vitally important for our organization as well as other allies to listen, learn, and speak up for this community as well as all LGBTQ+ individuals.  They need our voices more than effort as we begin to prepare for next year’s presidential election season.  Because of the impact these laws have, and the inequality faced, going forward, this section of the LGBTQ+ advocacy column will be devoted to highlighting those bills and bring awareness to just what kind of situation the transgender community especially is facing.  There will also be good news as well to share because there always needs to be a silver-lining among the clouds.

Organizations of the Month:

Transgender Law Center, Trans Lifeline, Stand with Trans, The Trans Justice Funding Project, Transcend the Binary

Transgender Law Center – Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.

Trans Lifeline – Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

Stand with Trans – Stand with Trans is saving lives one person at a time, one day at a time. We help trans youth build resilience, confidence and find hope for a future filled with joy. Founded in 2015 by a passionate mom, the organization continues to grow, serving an international population of families.

The Trans Justice Funding Project – TJFP moves money to trans-led grassroots group and projects with trust and no strings attached. We center trans justice in the US and US territories and honor and amplify the ways our communities organize, create and shift culture, commit their love and care, and fight like hell for trans liberation.

Transcend the Binary -We support trans/gender diverse folks and their families in developing a pathway to achieve their health and wellness goals.

Why highlight?

Source(s):

https://protecttranshealth.org/ 

https://translifeline.org/ 

https://standwithtrans.org/ 

https://www.transjusticefundingproject.org/ 

https://www.transcendthebinary.org/ 

FYI Positive LGBTQ+ for October:

If you don’t think writing to your state or federal congressperson makes a difference and writes back to you, check out what happened when a letter was written to Rashida Tlaib concerning LGBTQ+ issues:

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding transgender rights. I share your commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and autonomy of all people, regardless of their gender identity.

I want to assure you that I stand firmly in support of transgender rights and the right to access gender-affirming care. It is deeply troubling to witness attempts to criminalize and strip away the fundamental rights of transgender individuals, particularly when it comes to their healthcare decisions. 

The principles of patient autonomy and individual healthcare choices are cornerstones values of our democracy, which is why I have backed several significant pieces of legislation to support our transgender residents:

H.R.697 - Justice for All Act of 2023: This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or race-related characteristics in schools, businesses, federally funded programs, and other settings. It also provides statutory authority for and expands the types of civil actions that may be brought for violations. You can read more on the bill here: https://tlaib.house.gov/posts/tlaib-re-introduces-justice-for-all-act-restoring-original-intent-expanding-protections-of-civil-rights-laws 

H.R.15 - Equality Act: This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. The bill definessex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

H.R.4422 - Global Respect Act:This bill imposes visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in violating the human rights of individuals due to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. The President must report and periodically update a list of foreign persons responsible for such human rights violations and apply sanctions accordingly.

H.Res.269:Recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement aTransgenderBill of Rights to protect and codify the rights oftransgenderand nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.

Trans rights are human rights. Rest assured, I will continue to work tirelessly to protect life-saving healthcare for transgender youth and adults alike.

Thank you again for reaching out to me on this crucial matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future with any other concerns you may have. My door is always open to you. 

Sincerely,

Rashida Tlaib

Member of Congress

The following is an overview of or anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the news:

Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Assessment Map: New Adult Map

This map shows the 2-year risk for anti-trans laws. For the first time, included in this release is a new adult map showing the risk for trans adults in the United States. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-legislative-risk-assessment?r=k9h1j&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email 

If you have any news or leads on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org