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John,

This has been a Pride of high highs and low lows – we've seen Pride celebrations in communities across the South, large and small, but we've also experienced some unthinkably cruel attacks on our rights. The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v Skrmetti has been devastating for trans youth and their families, particularly those living in one of the 27 states with a gender-affirming care ban who had hoped this case would finally end the crisis caused by these bans. Other court rulings this term have threatened access to Planned Parenthood through Medicaid, LGBTQ-inclusive books in schools, protections for immigrants, and more – a dizzying array of decisions that have undermined rights we hold dear.

Alongside these challenges, we've experienced some beautiful, historic moments. Asheville hosted its first-ever Trans+ Pride, towns across the South hosted their first-ever Prides, and we just celebrated 10 years of the freedom to marry, which has powerfully impacted the lives of countless LGBTQ+ couples and families. Millions of Americans spoke out against the Trump Administration's attempt to cut Medicaid coverage, including coverage of gender-affirming care. Despite attacks on our rights from every level of government, queer people are pushing through, with love, visibility, and joy.

Pride has always been about perseverance. We organize to protect ourselves, hold our people close, and get creative to support our communities no matter what gets thrown our way. Every supporter of the Campaign for Southern Equality holds a piece of this perseverance – and so does every CSE team member, from our Supportive Schools team protecting LGBTQ+ students, to our Healing & Resilience team helping folks build resilience, to our Southern Equality Studios team cultivating queer artists, and our Research team studying LGBTQ+ life in the South. Perseverance fuels our Trans Youth Emergency Project, which has distributed over $600,000 in travel grants and helped more than 1,200 families access essential healthcare since the first gender-affirming care bans passed in 2023. We will continue helping these families as long as these despicable bans are in place.

This work is all possible because of supporters like you – every dollar raised, every forwarded email or story share, and every conversation about our work helps us reach more people, and support more LGBTQ+ Southerners. You're helping us build a better, more equal world for LGBTQ+ people, and stay resilient so we can continue to face whatever attacks come our way.

I know we've reached out a lot this month, but I wouldn't ask you to donate if it wasn't vitally important to our work helping LGBTQ+ communities grapple with unthinkable legislative attacks. If you're able, please donate $20, $50, or whatever you can give today to help us persevere, no matter what. ([link removed])

Thank you so much for all you do to support our work, and for pushing for a better, more just world for LGBTQ+ people. Every single one of you is an important part of this movement, and together, we will get through this chapter.

With immense gratitude,
Rev. Jasmine-Beach Ferrara
She/Her
Executive Director
Campaign for Southern Equality
Donate to Campaign for Southern Equality ([link removed])

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