Hey there ,

Last week was a rollercoaster of emotions for me and the entire Campaign for Southern Equality team. Early in the week we learned that a small group of students had coordinated a protest at North Buncombe High School outside of Asheville, NC that sent a negative message about transgender students and school guidelines on how to respect all students’ gender identity.

The trans-affirming policy remains in place, and we’re grateful to the families, administration, and community across Buncombe County for standing by the trans and non-binary students. 

As a trans woman who was bullied in school right here in Buncombe County, I can imagine how trans and non-binary kids at the school felt, and my heart went out to the students impacted by the protest. It’s important to keep in mind that these incidents don’t happen in a vacuum: LGBTQ young people, and especially trans kids, are often surrounded by stories of the ways that society oppresses trans people. You can’t escape stories of trans people being fired from their jobs, fighting for respect and dignity at school, or being targeted for violence or even murder just because of who they are. 

Stories like those can make it hard to get through the day.

That’s why our team put out a call for messages of support for trans and non-binary students at the school, and I wanted to take a moment to share some of them with you. Click here to read a sample of the 200+ notes we received in support of trans young people.

The notes are heartfelt, short, long, funny, inspiring and moving. And they all came down to a simple message for trans and non-binary youth: You are beautiful, strong, and courageous and you have legions of supportive, loving people behind you. What you’re experiencing now won’t endure – it will change. Because together, we’ll make it change.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to send a message. Now, we want to share some of the messages, because there are so many students in so many schools across the South that need and deserve these words of love, encouragement and support.

Click here to read them, then please share with the trans and nonbinary folks in your life.

Thank you,
Allison Scott
Campaign for Southern Equality