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For decades, the narrative of LGBTQ+ activism in America was one of progress – often slow and hard but relentlessly moving forward. Now, facing unprecedented attacks in state legislatures, transgender rights leaders admit they are on the defensive — and the two largest groups are joining forces to counter the attack.
“This is going to be a defense game — and a movement strengthening game,” said Andy Marra, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund. “We have witnessed a sophisticated, well-coordinated and highly resourced effort to destroy years of progress by our movement.”
Essence of the attack: Millions of bills enacted in Republican-ruled states Transgender people are being targeted in the last few years. Many laws ban gender-affirming medical care for trans minors or bar trans athletes competing on girls’ and women’s scholastic sports teams.
With a new wave of anti-trans measures already introduced this year, TLDEF and the National Center for Transgender Equality announced in January that they planned to merge this summer. The new organization will be called Advocates for Trans Equality; Marra will be its CEO, while its executive director will be Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, who now holds that position with NCTE.
Marra said the critical moment in deciding whether to consider a merger came in 2022. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott, both Republicans, directed state child protection workers to Check out the families of trans children What Abbott called “abusive gender-change services”.
“I knew we needed a strong, courageous response to the unprecedented vitriol and legislative attacks on trans people nationwide,” Marra said.
According to Heng-Lehtinen, unlike some mergers, the aim is not to cut costs or consolidate. He said each organization’s current staff will be retained, and the new organization — after adding some new staff — will have a staff of about 50 by the end of the year, working concurrently with offices in New York and Washington. From a distance.
“When you hear ‘merger,’ you think some kind of crisis or duplication,” he said. “Not in this case – we just think we’ll be stronger.”
For Marra and Heng-Lehtinen – and their colleagues at other LGBTQ+ rights organizations – it is important to continue litigation, state by state, against anti-trans laws. While some measures have gone into effect, others have been blocked by federal judges, including some appointed by Republican presidents.
Another priority in this election year is getting involved in political campaigns.
“We need trans-supportive elected officials to win their races and defeat candidates who are attacking trans people just to score political points,” Heng-Lehtinen said. He portrayed anti-trans vitriol as a reaction to the sweeping gains made by the LGBTQ+-rights movement in recent decades.
“Anti-LGBT groups are shaking in their boots,” he said. “We’ve made a lot of progress, and that’s why they’re fighting so hard.”
He remained immersed in politics since childhood – his mother, ileana rose-lehtinenHe served in Congress for 30 years, starting when he was 3 years old.
At odds with most of her fellow Republicans in Congress, Ros-Lehtinen became a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights – for example, becoming the first GOP House member to support the legalization of gay marriage. She was in vocal support of Rodrigo’s decision to come out as a transgender man.
Ros-Lehtinen urged parents to accept him in a 2016 video, saying, “Our family is very proud of Rodrigo that he is very happy living an authentic life, being honest about who he is and Bringing a lot of happiness to our lives.” Trans kids.
The national political climate regarding LGBTQ+ rights has changed dramatically since then.
In 2016, after North Carolina enacted a “bathroom bill” restricting trans people’s use of public bathrooms, there was a major backlash, including the cancellation of potentially lucrative business projects and sporting events.
Over the years, the corporate world has generally avoided similar threats New anti-trans measures take effect in North Carolina And elsewhere. Bud Light sales decline due to conservative reaction to an ad campaign Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney,
Marra suggested that many corporations have become more wary of wading into potentially divisive political issues, at a time when special-interest groups are scrutinizing how they deal with issues like affirmative action and workforce diversity.
“We would like them to stay true to their values,” Marra said.
The cumulative effect of anti-trans laws has been clear, with surveys finding that many trans people have considered moving to another city or state that would be more accepting. A number of new organizations have emerged over the past few years offering emergency funding to individuals and families affected by anti-trans legislation to either relocate or receive medical care or services outside their home state.
Marra, who has been active in the LGBTQ+ rights movement for 20 years, says she remains optimistic despite the current setbacks.
“We are in the fight of our lives right now in many ways, but ultimately we are on the right side of history,” he said.
“This year, we have an opportunity to bring together the next generation of voters in the next chapter of the fight for equality in this country,” he said. “We need to connect with people across the country and share our stories.”
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