Friend:

“People are going to die.” Those are the alarming first words of the June cover story for Church & State magazine and, sadly, they’re true.

In “Transparently Cruel: How Transgender Rights Became the New Front in Christian Nationalists’ Culture War,” guest contributor Emily Starbuck writes about the wave of state laws targeting transgender people and how these laws play into our opponents’ extremist agenda.

In 2021 so far, at least 17 anti-LGBTQ bills have been enacted in state legislatures, the most since 2015, and hundreds more are under consideration. AU's public policy team provides resources to legislators and works closely with in-state advocates to fight as many damaging bills that misuse religious freedom to harm others as we can, but this onslaught against LGBTQ rights is unprecedented.

That’s why every voice that speaks up in defense of LGBTQ equality and everyone’s right to live as we choose is vital. Especially the voices of America’s religious leaders. Far too often, religion is pitted against LGBTQ rights, as if they are two opposing forces. While it’s true that many anti-LGBTQ policies are rooted in fundamentalist religious beliefs, it’s equally true that religious leaders have always led the charge to defend marginalized people.

AU Senior Faith Adviser Dr. Sabrina Dent wrote about this in her post, “There’s No Contradiction: Religious Leaders Celebrate The Colors Of Pride.” And next week, religious leaders – including members of AU’s Faith Leaders United – will participate in the Colors of Pride Week of Action to show their support for LGBTQ equality.

Everyone who cares about this issue can also tell the Senate to pass the Equality Act to ensure our laws are protecting LGBTQ people and also women, people of color, immigrants, religious minorities, the nonreligious, and many others.

Thanks for being a part of this important work, friend. And thank you for understanding deeply that our fundamental right to be treated equally under the law depends on everyone’s freedom to live and believe as we choose. We couldn’t do it without you or your support of Americans United.

With hope and gratitude,