Dear John,

As we close out a year of immense challenges, I’m reaching out with a message of both urgency and hope. The attacks on trans rights this year have been relentless: 600+ anti-trans bills considered in state legislatures, and soon, an openly hostile federal government determined to codify discrimination.

The stakes for 2025 could not be any higher.

But we know this: power—real, transformative power—comes from people. It comes from organizing, amplifying voices, and turning shared resolve into collective action. That’s why mobilization remains at the heart of our fight for trans futures.

At Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), we are building the infrastructure to resist attacks today and create lasting change for tomorrow. Together, we can empower trans communities to rise above systemic oppression, fight back against discriminatory policies, and demand a future where every trans person can thrive.   

In the face of escalating attacks, A4TE is scaling up our organizing and GOTV (Get Out the Vote) efforts to empower trans communities nationwide. We’re launching an updated State Action Center that equips trans people and allies with the tools to take action, including public comment portals, action alerts, and strategic campaign tools. From phone banks to rallies, we’re mobilizing communities to challenge anti-trans policies head-on.

We’re strengthening partnerships with trans-led and BIPOC-focused organizations, fostering solidarity across movements. By prioritizing marginalized communities, we’re amplifying the voices of those most impacted and creating a united front to fight back against discrimination.

Through our Transform the Vote initiative, we’re building political power where it matters most. In 2025, we aim to register 25,000 trans voters and engage 50,000 individuals with targeted voter education in crucial states like Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. We will mobilize trans communities to overcome systemic voting barriers, ensuring their voices are heard in local, state, and federal elections. This work isn’t just about elections—it’s about building momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms, laying the foundation for long-term change.

Mobilization is the heartbeat of our movement. 

It empowers trans people to resist systemic oppression, demand accountability, and shape the policies that impact their lives. With your support, we can counter hostility with strength and match the coordination and funding of anti-trans forces with a mobilized, unified movement. This is beyond resisting attacks—it’s about building a future where trans people are free to live authentically and equally. Every action we take, every person we mobilize, brings us closer to that vision.

Your support makes all the difference. Every dollar you give strengthens our ability to organize, educate, and mobilize trans communities across the country. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that resilience leads to victory. 

Please make your year-end gift today and join us in building a movement for trans futures.

With hope and determination,   

Sybastian “Sy” Smith (He/Him/His)

Director of Organizing 

(formerly National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund)

228 Park Ave S, PMB 38268

New York, NY 10003-1502