My first Pride parade was an accident.
I was spending the summer after my freshman year of college in Washington, DC and decided one Sunday to check out a bookstore I hadn’t visited yet. As I trekked across the city to the store, I stumbled across a sea of vibrant colors parading down the street, buoyed by raucous crowds cheering the floats on.
I didn’t know I was gay yet—that would take a few more years. But seeing that expression of joy, community, and openness stuck with me, like something my brain knew to hold onto.
I’ve (intentionally) been to many pride parades and celebrations since, and each one feels a little different. This year, Pride feels defiant. We defy attempts to limit LGBTQIA+ rights, to tame our expression of who we are, to ruthlessly attack transgender people.
So, John, I want to spend some time on that last part. While there have been recent attacks on all members of the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, extremists have thrown their weight behind targeting the trans community in particular and trying to drive a wedge between cisgender people and trans people.
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Psst: Like what you see? Check out our new pride collection in our supporter shop! [[link removed]]
The truth is, as my colleague Jordan explained in a beautiful call to action this Pride Month [[link removed]] , women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and trans rights are all connected. And I don’t mean in the philosophical, high-minded kind of way (although yes, that too). I mean literally.
A lot of the rights that queer people and cis women have under the law—like protections against sexual harassment in the workplace or at school, or protections against pregnancy discrimination—stem from protections against discrimination and mistreatment on the basis of sex . Those are also the laws that have been interpreted to protect gay and trans people from discrimination.
The anti-trans movement is trying to narrow the scope of these sex discrimination laws to target trans folks—but by doing so, they’d also narrow protections for cis women and girls who don’t conform to the arbitrary gender stereotypes [[link removed]] feminists have been fighting against for decades.
Plus, as Jordan reminds us: trans folks, especially trans women of color, have always fought for us. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.
At NWLC, we know we’re in this together. That’s why we’re showing up hard to fight for trans rights and lives as we await the Supreme Court’s decision in an upcoming case on the future of trans sports bans.
Take our One For All pledge to support trans women and girls in sports! [[link removed]]
TAKE ACTION [[link removed]]
And if you still need the right tee or hat to show your support and solidarity with the trans community, check out our new merch! [[link removed]]
MUST-READS
* We sued! After the Trump-Vance administration banned abortion care and counseling at the Department of Veterans Affairs (including in cases of rape, incest, or serious health risks for the pregnant person), we got to work. Read more about our lawsuit to stop one the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. [[link removed]]
* “The law hasn’t stopped the Trump administration, but the courts can.” — Inspiring Smith College students are fighting back against the Trump administration’s attempt to block trans students [[link removed]] from attending the historic women’s college, and our senior director of education justice told the Boston Globe why Smith should fight back.
* Why the Trump administration’s “Moms.gov” website is pure propaganda [[link removed]] —and won’t actually help moms.
MUST-DO'S
* ICE and CBP are still terrorizing communities— tell Congress not to give the rogue agencies even more money at the expense of programs for women and families. [[link removed]]
* Tell Congress to REJECT Trump’s unfit, biased nominees for federal judgeships. Justin Smith served as Trump’s personal lawyer—defending him in the E. Jean Carroll sexual assault and defamation case. Benjamin Flowers has a record of being anti-abortion, anti-trans, and hostile to voting rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Demand Congress reject Smith [[link removed]] and Flowers [[link removed]] .
* Did I mention we have new pride merch [[link removed]] ? Get a pair of our “Don’t be a TERF” socks [[link removed]] for you or the pal you’re going to Pride with (or to send to J.K. Rowling)!
* Finally, we are just a few weeks away from the end of our fiscal year and the contributions of supporters like you fuel all the work you read about here (and so much more!). If you’re able, contribute today! [[link removed]]
In the spirit of solidarity and one for all,
Hannah Finnie
she/her
Writer/Editor
National Women’s Law Center
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