We'd like to take this time to recognize those that came before us; as a lesbian-owned company, being 'out' we hope to encourage others to pursue their dreams just as those brave souls put it all on the line (yes, even their very lives) for us to have that privilege today. Now, without further ado, it's time to put all that 'PRIDE"energy into action to help the LGBTQIA+ community!
Pride month (which occurs in the US to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969) is so much more than rainbows or colorful parade floats. Trans leaders like Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera made this 'Pride month' of resistance possible but the fight for the safety of our communities is unfortunately far from over.
We've collected some resources & active petitions and/or initiatives to get you started in learning about some of the history & ongoing challenges & threats to this community. Scroll down to take action & explore more organizations working to help the LGBTQIA+ communities across the globe.
Need Help?
Check out the Transgender Law Center's HELP DESK for resources & more information about common legal challenges & questions transgender people encounter. If you can’t find an answer in our publications, our Legal Help Desk is here to respond to your questions & refer you to other resources & members of our pro bono network for support.
TAKE ACTION NOW: (Via Transgender Law Center)
URGE BIDEN TO IMPLEMENT THE TRANS AGENDA FOR LIBERATION. The Trans Agenda centers the lives & voices of trans people of color, who have too often had to advance our collective liberation from the margins. Trans justice is migrant justice, disability justice, racial justice, environmental justice, reproductive justice, economic justice, & gender justice. An agenda for trans liberation is a blueprint for liberation for all.
Read more HERE.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth.
Need help? The Trevor Project is here for you 24/7:
CALL: 1-866-488-7386
TEXT: text 'START' to 678-678 or CHAT.
ANTI-LGBTQIA+ HAPPENING NOW: For anyone that may think the intense anti-LGBTQ+ violence is a thing of the past just because more a few more companies are Rainbow-washing every June, please note: According to ACLU, this year alone, over 200 anti-LGBTQ laws were active in state legislatures with many aimed at preventing transgender people from playing athletics. For as far as we've come we have so far still to go to ensuring rights for all, we must take action & hold our representatives accountable in their promises to protect the LGBTQIA+ community. DID YOU KNOW:
In 2020, 18 states introduced legislation that would ban transgender student athletes from participating in school sports. As of February 2021, 24 states have introduced similar legislation.
(source ACLU)
TAKE ACTION NOW: (Via Human Rights Campaign)
Tell State Legislators to stop attacking the transgender community NOW! Your signature will send a message that we won’t back down when these lawmakers come for our community. HERE
Join with thousands of others to defend transgender rights by sending a message that we won’t back down when these lawmakers come for our community.
Learn more: You can access tools and LGBTQ+ resource pages HERE.
TAKE ACTION NOW to sign petition telling IDAHO that Trans Athletes belong. (Via ACLU)
Tell the NCAA to uphold their commitment to inclusion & move the 2021 Men’s Basketball Championship out of Idaho due to the passage of its law banning many transgender and intersex students from sports. HERE
Check out other active ACLU petitions, more details on important legislation or finding your local ACLU and organizations HERE.
Most of the 144 anti-trans bills are attacking trans kids. Most of the sports bills are attacking trans girls.
Take a few moments to SIGN the petitions and contact your state reps to stand up for Trans youth as well as find helpful resources. HERE.
DID YOU KNOW:
People who identify as LGBTQ+ are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking.
"For these are, unfortunately, the realities facing this community – just as they have long been for people facing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. And we know that traffickers operate by preying on vulnerable people – stepping in to fill a need they can’t get elsewhere then tricking or coercing their victims into labor or commercial sex."
(source: Polarisproject)
TAKE ACTION NOW: (Via Polaris Project)
Tell your Senator to support the Equality Act now.
The Equality Act (H.R.5/S.393) - now pending before the U.S. Senate - would add explicit protections in federal law preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for employment, housing and more.
It won’t end discrimination altogether - but it will help to make the systems more fair, and in doing so, make traffickers less powerful. Sign HERE.
TAKE ACTION NOW: (Via End Trans Detention)
Tell President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas to End Trans Detention
Trans migrant people are often fleeing persecution in their home countries and instead of finding safety, they face abuse, cruelty, detention, and deportation at the hands of ICE. In fact, Victoria Arellano, Roxsana Hernandez, and Johana Medina are three trans women who died because of willful ICE negligence.
Call on President Biden & Mayorkas to IMMEDIATELY release ALL transgender people, people living with HIV, and people with medical conditions from ICE custody; also demand the Biden Administration ensures trans people have the resources to live safely after being released post detention, including access to safe housing and employment so that trans people can survive and thrive. Sign HERE.
This Pride Month & beyond be sure to support LGBTQIA+ businesses & creators! Continue to listen to & take action in solidarity for the community.
BONUS: Do you believe in an America where you can't get fired just because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer, or where all people can be accepted for who they are regardless of whom they love? Show your support on your car, boat or board & get a FREE Human Rights Campaign sticker HERE.