I'm so sorry, John. We were hoping for better news today, but the U.S. Supreme Court just issued a ruling upholding Tennessee's SB1, a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for youth. There will be fuller legal analysis in the hours and days ahead, but what this means most immediately is that the cruel bans on gender-affirming care that have passed in half of the states will remain in place. (Importantly, this decision does not require states to ban gender-affirming care; states that have not passed bans should do everything possible to maintain access to care). 

Here's one thing that I know right now, on this heart-breaking day: As long as families of trans youth face barriers to accessing the health care they need and deserve, the Trans Youth Emergency Project will be here to support them with patient navigation services, emergency grants, and more. And – we'll need your help. Please donate $500, $250, $50, or anything you can give today to help us continue this life-saving support.

I know this moment feels devastating, and our whole team is sending love, solidarity, and strength to every person impacted by this decision. These healthcare bans are blatantly discriminatory, and trans youth deserve so much better than these disgusting, isolating attacks on the healthcare they need to thrive. 

The LGBTQ+ community has faced brutal blows before – but together, we keep fighting, keep innovating, keep working toward a future where we can live fully and authentically. The Court's ruling can't change what we know in our bones: our identities, our families, and our lives are strong, worthy, and not up for debate by extremists. Our fight for visibility and equality is helping these young people grow up in a kinder, more accepting world. Don't ever forget that your support is building this world, bit by bit. 

The Campaign for Southern Equality has been working tirelessly in anticipation of a moment like this: Our Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP) is the only national project of its kind that specifically helps families of trans youth navigate the healthcare bans. We offer personal 1-on-1 logistical support and travel grants of $500, renewable every 3 months, so families can identify out-of-state healthcare options and pay for the cost of getting there.  

Every donation directly helps families through this crisis – and I know right now that in the face of this ruling, many families will need your help. Please make a donation of $500, $250, $50, or whatever you can to support TYEP and help families of transgender youth.

Stay strong, and thank you for being with us in this fight.
Allison Scott
She/Her
Director of Impact and Innovation 
Campaign for Southern Equality

P.S. If you need a little extra love today, take a look at our Trans Joy Generator. Thousands of people around the world have shared kind notes of hope and resilience for us to send to trans and queer youth across the South, and now you can read these notes, too.