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We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

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In the past few weeks, our opposition in the NC Legislature has introduced a slate of bigoted bills, targeting the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans kids.

Storytellers
We are looking for trans youth, families of trans youth, transgender athletes, drag performers, bar/club owners, and medical experts who might be able to speak on the negative impacts of anti-transgender legislation. We also get asked to provide speakers for media and press, if you would like to work with reporters to elevate the community.

SPEAK OUT IN OPPOSITION

Take Action
We know that getting Raleigh for hearings is not accessible for everybody - we have several ways you can make your voice heard in opposition to these bills.

You can contact your legislators and let them know that you're opposed to HB 574 and other bills which target our communities.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

If you're a medical care provider, you can also join on our sign on letter against these bad bills.

SIGN ON

Let's all rally together and defeat the slate of hate with it!

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Last week, our opposition in the NC Legislature introduced a slate of bigoted bills, targeting the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans kids.

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What Counselors Need to Know About Conversion Therapy

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What Counselors Need to Know About Conversion Therapy

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In this important article, The Trevor Project uncovers the truths about conversion therapy and its impact on LGBTQ Youth

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Degrassi: The Next Generation: My Body is a Cage, Pt. 1

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Degrassi: The Next Generation: My Body is a Cage, Pt. 1

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This Emmy-nominated episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation focuses on Adam Torres and provides insight into the life of a transgender high school student.

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Degrassi: The Next Generation 1015 - My Body Is A Cage, Pt. 1

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If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate crisis support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S via text, chat, or phone. The Trevor Project is 100% confidential and 100% free.

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The Trans Youth Equality Foundation provides education, advocacy and support for transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming children and youth and their families.

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Heck. Yes. Our curricula, activities, and resources are all uncopyrighted, and reasons like this are WHY THAT IS SO EXCITING FOR US. So you have our permission 100%.

Here's one word of caution: people often think they need to customize our Foundational Curriculum for a ton of reasons (their group is more "advanced," or older, or younger, or more rural, or more urban, etc.), and we've found that people often overestimate how much tailoring is needed. If you have the ability, put a small pilot group together of your population and try the curriculum on them before you start customizing things. It might just work - or it might not work, but not in the ways you were expecting.

Oh! And tell us about it. This isn't required, but we love hearing about the different ways people are putting the curricula to use.

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The Safe Zone Project: Free LGBTQ+ Curriculum, Activities, & Resources!

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Heck. Yes. Our curricula, activities, and resources are all uncopyrighted, and reasons like this are WHY THAT IS SO EXCITING FOR US. So you have our permission 100%.

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Degrassi: The Next Generation: My Body is a Cage, Pt. 2

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Degrassi: The Next Generation: My Body is a Cage, Pt. 2

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This Emmy-nominated episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation focuses on Adam Torres and provides insight into the life of a transgender high school student.

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Degrassi: The Next Generation 1016 - My Body Is A Cage, Pt. 2

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A gender affirming care ban is now in effect in North Carolina. The new law prohibits the initiation of any gender-affirming care in NC for people under the age of 18, including puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and surgery. However, it does not restrict care that has already been initiated. And young people who were already receiving a "course of treatment" prior to August 1, 2023 can continue receiving that care.
The Campaign for Southern Equality is working with Equality NC and partners across North Carolina to provide resources and information to impacted families. Please use this form below to request more information.

Resource Guide About HB808

We know this is a very challenging time filled with many questions. The Campaign for Southern Equality, Equality NC, and other partners have developed a resource guide with up-to-date information and concrete resources about the law and how families can get support.
View the Guide

North Carolina Town Hall About HB808 & Other Laws

On Monday, August 21 at 7pm ET, ACLU of NC, Campaign for Southern Equality, Equality NC, and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic hosted a virtual event focused on helping families understand a slate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has passed in North Carolina. At the event, we discussed the new laws and shared resources that are available, including patient navigation support, referrals to out-of-state gender-affirming care, and emergency grants for families of transgender youth.
Watch the Recording

Emergency Grants & Patient for Impacted Families

The Campaign for Southern Equality is facilitating rapid response emergency grants of $500 to help parents and caregivers to youth who would be directly impacted by HB808 during this challenging time. Grants can be made to the parent/caregiver of an impacted youth. To learn more about these grants and to request one, fill out the form below.

Digital Toolkit to Spread the Word

It is critical that we get the word out to families and young people about resources that are available, including support identifying in-state and out-of-state care and emergency funding. Thank you for helping to share information with your networks. Please use these templates to share information with your email lists, social media networks, and in-person community spaces.
View the Toolkit

Send a Message About These Resources

This form is intended for transgender individuals (especially those under the age of 18) and their parents/caretakers who would be impacted by the passage of HB808 which prohibits the initiation of transgender-related healthcare in North Carolina for people under the age of 18 after August 1, 2023. After filling out this form, a representative of Campaign for Southern Equality will reach out to you via email or phone and begin assisting you.

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Resources for Transgender Youth & Families in NC Impacted by Anti-Trans Healthcare Bills

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A gender affirming care ban is now in effect in North Carolina. The new law prohibits the initiation of any gender-affirming care in NC for people under the age of 18, including puberty blockers, gender-affirming [...]

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Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people.

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Trans Lifeline - Peer support services, hotline and resources for Transgender People Trans Lifeline

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Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education. Our vision is to fight the epidemic of trans suicide and improve overall life-outcomes of trans people by facilitating justice-oriented, collective community aid.

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The Equality Act is a landmark piece of legislation that would expand federal civil rights laws to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, jury service, and federally funded programs, such as those for health and education, as well as public places and spaces.¹ Nondiscrimination protections are sorely needed: A nationally representative 2020 survey from the Center for American Progress revealed that 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans, including 3 in 5 transgender Americans, experienced discrimination in just the past year.² Evidence demonstrates that discrimination has adverse effects on physical and mental health as well as basic economic security.³ This fact sheet explains how the Equality Act advances fair treatment for LGBTQ people, women, people of color, and people of faith.

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The Equality Act is a landmark piece of legislation that would expand federal civil rights laws to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, jury service, and federally funded programs, such as those for health and education, as well as public places and spaces. Nondiscrimination protections are sorely needed: A nationally representative 2020 survey from the Center for American Progress revealed that 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans, including 3 in 5 transgender Americans, experienced discrimination in just the past year. Evidence demonstrates that discrimination has adverse effects on physical and mental health as well as basic economic security. This fact sheet explains how the Equality Act advances fair treatment for LGBTQ people, women, people of color, and people of faith.

The Equality Act enjoys broad-based support

The Equality Act enjoys broad support among the American public and a wide range of stakeholders, including the more than 300 member companies that comprise the Business Coalition for the Equality Act. According to a 2020 survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute, more than 80 percent of Americans, including a majority of Americans in all 50 states, and majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents support LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections. The same survey found that solid majorities of people from all major religions support laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination; recently, more than 100 faith groups have endorsed the bill.

Employment

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that it is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for an employer to not hire, to fire, or to otherwise discriminate against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). The Equality Act would ensure that this interpretation is explicitly codified in the country's civil rights laws by clarifying that existing sex discrimination protections prohibit discrimination based on SOGI.

Housing

The Equality Act similarly amends the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to explicitly codify SOGI protections, robustly prohibiting housing discrimination against LGBTQ people. Specifically, the law would prohibit differential treatment in renting, selling, pricing, eviction, service provision, shelter access, homeowners insurance, mortgage lending, and other activities, along with harassment, coercion, and retaliation in the exercise of their fair housing rights.

Credit

The Equality Act would also codify the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's interpretive rule, explicitly adding SOGI as protected characteristics in the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Consequentially, the law would clarify that LGBTQ people cannot be denied car loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, student loans, or small-business loans simply because of who they are-and that differential treatment in credit transactions is prohibited. Access to credit is essential for promoting greater economic security and the financial stability of disadvantaged groups such as LGBTQ people.

Jury service

By amending the Jury Selection and Service Act to explicitly include SOGI in its definition of sex discrimination, the Equality Act would codify existing interpretations to prohibit attorneys from rejecting prospective jurors simply because they are LGBTQ. Although sex discrimination is prohibited in jury selection nationwide, in the 42 states that currently lack explicit SOGI jury protections, attorneys may attempt to deprive LGBTQ people of their constitutional right to a jury of their peers.

Federally funded programs

The federal government funds a wide range of programs, including shelters, schools, community health centers, adoption agencies, and law enforcement or carceral institutions. The Equality Act amends Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex and SOGI, meaning that LGBTQ people and women would be protected from discrimination, mistreatment, or refusal by any of these programs. Given the difficulties faced by same-sex prospective parents considering adoption and the serious dangers that LGBTQ people, especially transgender individuals, face in confinement, these protections are needed and well overdue.

The amendment of Title VI would benefit LGBTQ students in federally funded schools by clarifying federal protection against bullying and harassment and ensuring that students have the right to use sex-segregated facilities and participate in sex-segregated activities in accordance with their gender identity. The Equality Act would also protect transgender and nonbinary students from the pervasive misgendering and harassment that many face-a lifesaving step. The Equality Act does not amend Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972: Protections for women and girls and sex-segregated programs in schools would be maintained.

Public spaces and services

According to CAP's 2020 survey, more than half of LGBTQ respondents who reported harassment or discrimination said that it occurred in a public space such as a store or restaurant. The Equality Act would establish sex and SOGI protections in public accommodations. This means that businesses open to the public, such as restaurants and pharmacies, would face accountability if they discriminate against, mistreat, or refuse to serve LGBTQ individuals. These amendments would not only benefit LGBTQ individuals; all women could no longer be charged higher prices than men for equivalent services or be denied services by establishments that provide health care. Currently, the 1964 Civil Rights Act is out of date and includes protections for only four areas of public accommodation: hotels, inns, motels, or similar lodging; restaurants; entertainment spaces such as movie theaters and sports arenas; and any entity physically located within one of those places. By expanding the range of public accommodations recognized under civil rights law, the Equality Act would ensure protections for race, color, religion, national origin, and sex, including SOGI, in public spaces, including retail stores, transportation, and health care providers.

The Equality Act protects and advances religious liberty

The Equality Act would benefit many religious people and would not undermine existing religious exemptions in the amended civil rights laws, despite the suggestions of opponents of LGBTQ equality. People of faith would, in fact, receive new protections from discrimination-for example, protections from faith-based discrimination in more public accommodations, such as prohibiting the use of "No Muslims allowed" signs in retail stores. Meanwhile, religious organizations would retain all the same exemptions they already have under civil rights laws such as Title VII and the FHA: They would still be allowed to favor people of the same religion, so long as they do not discriminate based on other protected characteristics. Importantly, the Equality Act clarifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) cannot serve as a defense against claims of discrimination. This ensures that religion cannot be weaponized as a license to discriminate-including against people for their religious beliefs-in accordance with RFRA's legislative intent.

Conclusion

The Equality Act would meaningfully expand civil rights protections for many Americans and advance equal treatment for LGBTQ people, women, people of faith, and people of color. The concrete benefits of the landmark civil rights laws that it would amend are clear-it's time to extend these benefits equally to all.
Theo Santos is the special assistant for the LGBTQ Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress. Caroline Medina is a policy analyst for the LGBTQ Research and Communications Project at the Center. Sharita Gruberg is the vice president for the LGBTQ Research and Communications Project at the Center.

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What You Need To Know About the Equality Act

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The Equality Act is a landmark piece of legislation that would expand federal civil rights laws to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, jury service, and federally funded programs, such as those for health and education, as well as public places and spaces.

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gender spectrum's mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. To accomplish this, we help families, organizations, and institutions increase their understanding of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us.

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OUR MISSION

Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens.

Resources for Challenging Times

Our online groups and events, and other resources for

gender expansive youth and families during the time of Covid-19.

Online Consulting

Gender Spectrum has years of experience in creating safe, successful online spaces

for adults and young people. If your organization is doing more work online, we can help.
Online Consulting
Groups

Gender Spectrum hosts online groups for pre-teens,

teens, parents, caregivers, and other family members.
View All Groups

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Gender Spectrum Homepage - Gender Spectrum

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Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. Our online groups and events, and other resources for gender expansive youth and families during the time of Covid-19. Gender Spectrum has years of experience in creating safe, successful online spaces for adults and young people.

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Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund

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Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund

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Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.

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National Center for Transgender Equality

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National Center for Transgender Equality

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The National Center for Transgender Equality's Youtube channel provides informational videos on advocacy surrounding trans issues.

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National Center for Transgender Equality

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Introducing Advocates for Trans Equality!

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As part of a series of editorials about transgender experiences, we are featuring personal stories that reflect the strength, diversity and challenges of the community. Welcome to this evolving collection.

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Opinion | Transgender Lives: Your Stories

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As part of a series of editorials about transgender experiences, we are featuring personal stories that reflect the strength, diversity and challenges of the community.

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Text HOME to 741741to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor

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What is SB49 and how does it impact transgender youth?

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What is SB49 and how does it impact transgender youth?

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What is SB49 and how will it impact our schools and our students?

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Resource Hub: S.B. 49, North Carolina’s ‘Don’t Say LGBTQ’ Law - Campaign for Southern Equality

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Senate Bill 49, also known as North Carolina’s “Don’t Say LGBTQ+” bill, was enacted in August 2023 following the NCGA’s override of Governor Roy Cooper’s veto. The anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum censorship and school policy law is […]

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Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to protect all that has been accomplished and helps create a world where everyone can live the life they love.

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Supportive Schools for LBGTQ and Transgender Students

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Supportive Schools for LBGTQ and Transgender Students

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Recommendations for schools that are seeking to create safe and supportive educational environments for all of their students.

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Short by YouTuber Jamie on not regretting his transition.

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Ten year later and zero regrets. Transitioning saved my life and allowed me to be myself.

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Visit The Human Rights Campaign's database of LGBTQ+ scholarships

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The following is a list of scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBTQ+ and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level. This list is not exhaustive. If you're aware of...

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We all want to help schools become safe, respectful communities, but how do we know where to start? What are the challenges that students and educators face? What works best to address those challenges?

GLSEN has been conducting research and evaluation on LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education since 1999. Our research staff members are nationally recognized experts, trusted by safe schools advocates and researchers alike to provide the facts about our national school climate. Our research has helped to:

Motivate legislators to act on the challenges that LGBTQ+ students face in their home states.

Alert principals and other administrators why Gender and Sexuality Alliances, enumerated policies and other resources are so important to creating safe and respectful school communities.

Educate students and school staff about LGBTQ+ student experiences of bullying and harassment.

Identify and promote best practices and resources for creating safe and affirming schools.

Develop evidence for LGBTQ+-affirming action through research in partnership with other organizations internationally

Our research and resources can empower you to make your community’s schools safer, more respectful, and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ youth.

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In this statement, GLSEN's National Student Council condemns police brutality and calls for greater support for Black lives

Read the Statement

Get involved and join your community, local, or state GLSEN chapter

GLSEN Chapters create LGBTQ-inclusive schools. Community-led chapters offer teacher trainings, student support, community outreach, and more.

Recent Research

Research, Reports, and Briefs

Research, Reports, and Briefs

Research, Reports, and Briefs

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In this statement, GLSEN's National Student Council condemns police brutality and calls for greater support for Black lives Read the Statement GLSEN Chapters create LGBTQ-inclusive schools. Community-led chapters offer teacher trainings, student support, community outreach, and more. Research, Reports, and Briefs Research, Reports, and Briefs Research, Reports, and Briefs

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Gender Diversity improves the well-being of children and adults of all gender identities and expression by providing education, increasing awareness, and offering insight into the wider range of human experience.

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Jamie Raines shows how he came out to his sisters in law.

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COMING OUT AS TRANSGENDER TO MY SISTERS IN-LAW