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John,
This time of year is always a period of reflection for our team as it marks three years since we launched the Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP). We launched this as a rapid response project when bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth started to proliferate across the South. And then this cruel trend expanded across the country, with 27 states banning this life-saving care and the U.S. Supreme Court leaving them in place in U.S. v Skrmetti, and the federal government attacking access. In response, we scaled TYEP to be a national program because the need was urgent and clear and we knew we could help.
These three years have been full of the incredible determination of trans youth, their families, their medical providers, and advocates. I'm so proud of what our team – with your remarkable support – has built in these years, and I want to share three big numbers that show the impact TYEP has had:
I hope you feel as proud as we do of the work we've accomplished together through the Trans Youth Emergency Project. This program shouldn't have to exist, but as long as political attacks are blocking trans youth and their families from care, we'll be here to help them access the care they need to thrive. Can you donate $30, $3, or whatever you can give to help us mark 3 years of TYEP?
1️⃣ We've distributed over $2 million dollars to support healthcare access for the families of trans youth – $1 million directly to families through our renewable $500 grants, and over $1 million to frontline partners working directly with trans youth.
2️⃣ We've supported more than 1,200 families with travel grants, many of whom receive renewal grants several times a year. We've supported hundreds more with 1-1 patient navigation services to help them find new providers as bans and federal restrictions have forced clinics to close. We've also served families through Town Halls, our Caregiver Support Group, and our Supportive Schools Program. We've supported families across all fifty states.
3️⃣ We've built a national network of over 130 local and regional incredible partners who we are so honored to collaborate with, fueling an ecosystem of care so families of trans youth across regions have access to community, care, and services close to home.
Our guide star has always been walking with youth and families every step of the way. What started as a rapid response project to help trans youth in a handful of Southern states is now a nationwide project to financially, logistically, and emotionally support families of trans youth through this time of unprecedented challenge – and it's all thanks to supporters like you.
I know in my bones that these attacks on care will someday be a shameful footnote in history. Until then, TYEP will be here to help families of trans youth access the care they need to thrive, every step of the way. Every dollar helps us support these families for as long as they need us – please donate $30, $3, or whatever you can give to support trans youth today.
Thank you so much for supporting this work, and helping make the Trans Youth Emergency Project a place that families from all across the country can go to for concrete resources, support, and care. None of this would be possible without you.
With hope and gratitude,
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
She/Her
Executive Director
Campaign for Southern Equality
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