Words by Smiley Team
On March 31 – the 13th annual International Trans Day of Visibility – nonprofits all over the country stood up for transgender rights.
States are beginning to pass anti-trans and anti-gay legislation in droves with the most recent being an Alabama ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, following suit with Texas and their ban on gender-affirming care.
The Human Rights Campaign is the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization. They and more than 60 businesses joined in writing an open letter, published in the Dallas Daily News, addressed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other public leaders to withdraw legislation targeting trans and other LGBTQ+ individuals.
“The recent attempt to criminalize a parent for helping their transgender child access medically necessary, age appropriate healthcare in the state of Texas goes against the values of our companies,” the letter reads. “This policy creates fear for employees and their families, especially those with transgender children.”
[Read more about nonprofits supporting those in need in our world]
On the eve of the National Trans Day of Visibility, the White House released a statement. “In the past year, hundreds of anti-transgender bills in States were proposed across America, most of them targeting transgender kids,” the statement reads.
“Studies have shown that these political attacks are damaging to the mental health and well-being of transgender youth, putting children and their families at greater risk of bullying and discrimination.”
Another organization speaking out against the growing anti LGBTQ+ legislation is the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, or GLSEN.
GLSEN is an organization founded by teachers with the intent of affirming students and their identities in school, and for National Trans Day of Visibility, they released a package of resources for students, teachers, and advocates that include rights guides, and information about handling terminology.
“Trans Day of Visibility is an annual awareness day celebrated around the world," GLSEN said. "The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice."
SUPPORT: You can check out GLSEN and look into their work and donate for support.
EDUCATE: You can find The Human Rights Campaign online and look into the programs they’re working on.
