Friends –

I know: These past few weeks have been relentless as lawmakers nationwide, but especially in the South, attack the freedom and dignity of transgender young people.

It’s been a legislative session full of whiplash – we make progress, celebrate a small step forward, and then are forced back on defense:

• In Arkansas, the state’s Republican Governor spoke movingly about the love that trans youth deserve, then vetoed a horrific healthcare ban, only to see the legislature override his veto the next day. 

• In North Carolina, we’ve made progress at the local level and applauded the introduction of four pro-equality state bills just a week ago – but this week legislators filed some of the most aggressive anti-LGBTQ bills in the country, including one that bans affirming medical care for trans people under the age of 21.

• In South Carolina 3 weeks ago, legislators tabled an anti-trans student athletics bill, but this week the bill was reintroduced under a different name and rammed through committee again. 

We’ve heard from a wave of folks across the South who are feeling demoralized by these developments. But I implore you to not lose the faith, and I’m here to remind you: When things get tough – even when things get really hard – we don’t give up. We push back, we dig deep, and we move forward, together.

Our team at the Campaign for Southern Equality is in rapid response mode, and we are pushing back. In South Carolina we worked with the SC United for Justice & Equality coalition to quickly mobilize against the new bill and drive powerful in-person testimony yesterday (which you can watch here). And we’re partnering with Equality NC to oppose this slate of discrimination in North Carolina (learn more here). 

Can we count on your support during this challenging period for transgender youth in the South? Please consider donating $25, $15, or whatever you’re able to so we can keep fighting back.

Thank you,
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Campaign for Southern Equality