From our entire team, thank you, John.

We asked a lot of you the last two months, and you absolutely blew us away with your generosity, your kind notes, and your faith in our work to meet this difficult moment in LGBTQ+ history. Thanks to you, we will be able to go where the need is greatest and show up for trans youth, LGBTQ+ Southerners, and so many more who are bearing the brunt of relentless political attacks. I'm immensely grateful for your support, and I promise that every dollar you gave us will go to fighting for our equality, deepening our connections to communities across the South – and nationally, through the Trans Youth Emergency Project, – and doing everything we can to support our people through this moment. 

Just before the holidays, several egregious federal attacks impacting trans youth healthcare were announced. Between the proposed rules from the Department of Health & Human Services, two discriminatory bills being advanced by the U.S. House, and the wave of healthcare provider closures still impacting families in both access states and states with bans, I know there is a lot weighing on the minds of trans people and those who love them right now. That's why we're hosting a Town Hall to break down the federal attacks and share how TYEP will show up for folks in this moment. I hope to see you there with us next week.

Click here to RSVP for our Trans Youth Emergency Project Town Hall on Recent Federal Attacks next Wednesday, January 14th, from 6:30-7:30PM ET. Even if you can't attend in real time, a recap of what was discussed will be shared with all RSVPs.

These federal attacks are part of the same playbook the Trump Administration, state legislatures, and anti-trans actors have been using for years – they are throwing every imaginable discriminatory policy at the wall to see what sticks, with the goal of intimidating providers out of providing medically necessary care and scaring families out of pursuing the care they need. But we need to do everything possible to resist these attacks – and that's where you come in.

Can you take two minutes today to submit a comment to HHS about the proposed rules impacting coverage of gender-affirming care for trans youth? Click here to submit both comments at once through a form our partners pulled together.

Please note: These comments will be submitted to HHS – so please be mindful about not including identifiable names or information when you share.

I'm not going to sugarcoat this moment – this is really hard stuff. But these rules have not been finalized yet and these bills are not law. Our legal partners are closely tracking developments, and our collective action will continue to be our greatest strength in this fight. We can and we will get through this together, and that starts with each of us leaning into our part to fight back however we can. We'll share more information during the Town Hall next week, but in the meantime, please keep the faith and keep speaking out wherever you can.

With gratitude and resolve,
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
She/Her
Executive Director
Campaign for Southern Equality