For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2023
Press Contact:
Carmel Pryor
press@allianceforyouthaction.org
“On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, we must celebrate the lives of trans people everywhere and support the young organizers who are fighting to create a more just and equitable society.”
WASHINGTON – Today, Alliance for Youth Action celebrates International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to empower transgender people and recommit to protecting trans folks from continuous discrimination. Across the country, conservative state legislatures have introduced anti-trans legislation, putting trans youth in danger at the hands of the state.
This International Transgender Day of Visibility, the Alliance for Youth Action Network is standing with trans youth at this pivotal moment and remains determined to shut down anti-trans legislation and fend off attacks on LGTBQ+ people everywhere. Read more about the youth organizing to protect trans lives across the country.
Here are a few examples of our Network taking action:
Forward Montana
- In January, Forward Montana mobilized volunteers to make 300 calls and 1,000 texts to oppose SB 99, a bill prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for minors and preventing public employees from supporting a minor’s social transition. Forward Montana continues sharing legislative session updates through their blog, “What the Helena.”
Loud Light
- Loud Light is fighting hard to oppose HB 2238, a bill that would prohibit transgender girls in K-12 schools and colleges from playing sports. Donnavan Dillon, an organizer for Loud Light, testified on his experiences competing with athletes across the gender identity spectrum, opposing the trans sports ban. Loud Light continues to phone bank Kansas representatives to vote ‘no’ on HB 2238.
Engage Miami
- This week, as a part of #DadeDays, Engage Miami is in the state capitol bringing young people face-to-face with decision-makers to lobby against harmful trans legislation. Yesterday, Engage Miami Organizers testified against SB1674 – also known as the Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill. This comes on the heels of the Florida legislature passing SB1438 which censors drag shows in Florida. Engage Miami stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community and continues mobilizing young people to show up and show out to protect trans youth.
Virginia Student Power Network
- Students in over 100 schools in Virginia walked out of their classrooms after the Department of Education proposed violent and harmful policies against trans and nonbinary students. Virginia Student Power mobilized their network to take action and submit public comments opposing Governor Youngkin’s administration.
As right-wing hysteria and policies continue to do harm to the trans community, the Alliance for Youth Action Network will continue to stand with trans youth and amplify their collective strength. On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, we must celebrate the lives of trans people everywhere and support the young organizers who are fighting to create a more just and equitable society.
If you are interested in speaking with leaders from the Alliance for Youth Action Network who are fighting anti-trans legislation, please reach out to Carmel Pryor, Vice President of Communications and Engagement (press@allianceforyouthaction.org).
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