By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQ+ Lead

LGBTQ+ Advocacy Team: Amanda L Collier, DC, PA Affiliate Chapter Member

How are you doing now that the election is finished, it’s time to really wake up to the reality of what is at stake for the LGBTQ+ community. However, there is a silver lining to consider:

20 trans & nonbinary Election Night winners you need to know - https://tinyurl.com/2ju9z3zc

So, while there is representation, the community needs allies more than ever.

With the holidays upon us, remember to extend your love and maybe your home. There are some in the community, especially the transgender sect who have walked away from family members who do not accept them for who they are now but hang on to who they were. Thus, there is no contact on both sides. Maybe you can be that newly chosen family member. Reach out to local community organizations for more information.

LGBTQ+ Dates for December -

• December 1: World AIDS Day
• December 8: Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day
• December 14: HIV Cure Research Day

Good LGBTQ+ News–

✓ Dems stand up for trans people amid election loss blame game – https://tinyurl.com/2y8k3fcc ✓ Judge rules in favor of two trans women who claimed military health plan was discriminatory - https://tinyurl.com/4993729z

✓ A message from organizations committed to advancing LGBTQ freedom beyond the 2024 elections – https://tinyurl.com/3nx6bjvu

Helplines

✓ The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386

✓ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255

✓ Ali Forney Day Center: (212) 206-0574

✓ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Info: (800) 342-AIDS (2437), Spanish service: (800) 344-7432, TDD service for the deaf: (800) 243-7889, [10:00am till 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday]

✓ The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564

✓ The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743

✓ The National Runaway Switchboard: (800) RUNAWAY (786-2929)

If you have any news or leads on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org. If you would like to help Susan educate on these issues, please let her know as well. She is also available for presentations and any questions you may have.