John,

Today is Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience, a day to honor transgender people whose lives have been cut short due to transphobic violence, and a day to uplift trans people’s power and strength—including people who are still here, whose very existence is resistance.

Transgender people are beloved members of our communities. If you are trans, non-binary, or gender non-conforming, I want you to know that I love and value you and I have your back. I won’t stop fighting for people of all sexualities and genders (including people who are agender and gender non-conforming) to have the protection and freedom that we all deserve, surrounded by safety and love.

After Trump got re-elected this year, one hotline for LGBTQ youth saw a 700% spike in calls and texts. Trump has said that he’d reverse Biden’s pro-trans policies on “day one” of his second term and he supports a federal ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, which doctors affirm is medically necessary and significantly reduces suicide risk.

Right-wing lawmakers have also introduced hundreds of state-level policies to deny trans people rights and access to lifesaving healthcare, bathrooms, and more. In the midst of this growing backlash, allies must keep speaking up and defending trans people.

Today I want to uplift a local organization that’s transforming the lives of LGBTQ young people, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive. The Ruth Ellis Center provides life-changing services and housing for LGBTQ+ young people who are experiencing homelessness and instability. These resources are urgently needed because LGBTQ+ youth have a 120 percent higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness compared to others.

For today’s Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience, please donate to the Ruth Ellis Center to help create a world where LGBTQ+ young people are safe and supported no matter where they are.

Trans people are fighting back against growing backlash and oppression, building a world where everyone can thrive and no one has to fear violence for just being who they are.

Trans and queer people have always been here, as demonstrated by Ruth Ellis herself, a Black lesbian who came out in 1915. Beginning in the 1930s, Ruth provided shelter and support for people whose race, sexual orientation, or both set them apart from the dominant culture. Her home became known as a refuge for LGBTQ+ young people.

In addition to providing housing for young people in need, the Ruth Ellis Center offers a drop-in safe space with critical services like peer support and food and showers, a health and wellness center that provides quality and culturally competent healthcare at no cost for hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness in Metro Detroit, HIV prevention and skills workshops, and advocacy to create more welcoming systems of care for LGBTQ youth and families nationwide.

Please honor Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience today by helping LGBTQ+ young people thrive with a donation to the Ruth Ellis Center.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately, with 100% going directly to Ruth Ellis Center

Thank you for your support. Our fight for LGBTQ+ rights is connected to our fight for human dignity for marginalized people, and we cannot back down.

In solidarity and service,

Rashida Tlaib

P.S. If you’re a trans or non-binary adult in crisis, the Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support line at 877-565-8860. For LGBTQ+ young people under 25 years old, the Trevor Project offers support if you call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or by online chat. Thank you for being you and expanding possibilities for all of us to be our full, free selves.

If you’re an ally and want to do more to support your LGBTQ+ neighbors and loved ones, here’s a resource from the Trevor Project about being an ally to trans and non-binary youth and here are answers from Advocates for Trans Equality to frequently asked questions about trans people. You can also read about and memorialize trans people we’ve lost this past year at https://www.transremembrance.org/.