Urgent Message to Trans and Queer Youth and Their Allies
By simply being, you are living out our transcestors and queer ancestors’ dreams of a life lived authentically. No state decision can take that away from you. You should be so incredibly proud to be. Your Queer and Trans existence is more than enough. You should not have to fight these attacks, but if you choose to, know that Youth OUTright emphatically and proudly stands with you.
Youth OUTright stands with you against these heinous discriminatory bills and the culture of hate and fear that they have stemmed from. No legislative decision can take away your right to joy, happiness, and a life so worthy of living. These regressive laws are a reaction to the strides we have made as Trans and Queer people living in our power and truth. It was not that long ago that Queer and Trans people were legally discriminated against for “cross dressing” or showing intimacy with a partner of the same gender in public. We cannot let history repeat itself.
We will fight these legislative attacks with Queer and Trans joy and rage. With art and movement. With community care and our unique individual strengths.
At the root of these bills is a larger fascist agenda against bodily autonomy of all marginalized people. These blatantly transphobic and homophobic attacks on youth are part of a bigger beast that we all must fight. These attacks are rooted in racism, ableism, classism, and the institution of white supremacy. We must fight together against it all if we are ever to be truly free.
Youth OUTright will continue to hold programming for Queer and Trans youth across Western North Carolina that centers joy, community building and Queer and Trans youth autonomy. As these bills continue, we are planning to hold weekly peer support spaces as a container for the emotional toll, need for community, and opportunity to organize against these legislative attacks. Please follow our Weekly Youth Newsletter for updates.
Youth voice:
“It is imperative that in times like these we rely on our community, both immediate and beyond. Our identities should not be under attack, and fear of expressing ourselves as we are should not be a crime. However, our community has been fighting these battles for centuries, and we will not stop here. Take care of yourselves and prioritize rest. Lean on those you love, and allow those you love to lean on you. If you are in a place to: shout, fight, make art, love loud, and create ripples in this movement much greater than any one of us could carry on our own. We stand together, rest together, and love even harder together. Stay strong, and when you can’t, allow someone else to be strong for you. There is a vibrant, radiant, and powerful community behind every Queer and Trans youth that exists. If you are not Queer or Trans, this is your time to be all that an ally can be. Help us, help our youth, help our elders, and everyone in between. Don’t step on our feet–lift us up instead. Our lifeboat will not sink today, tomorrow, or ever.” – Reagan Petto, they/them, 18
What are these bills and what will we do about them?
SB 631
The transgender sports ban was passed on April 20th, 2023; a disturbing attempt to remove Trans youth from school sports teams that are aligned with their gender. Trans youth deserve to participate in their passions, and this bill will not stop that. We will fight for you and your right to play at your schools. We will create opportunities for Trans joy through sports. We will show up for you and cheer you on as every youth deserves. To the Trans youth athletes reading this, we have your back. You will play.
SB 49 & HB 187
The “Don’t Say Gay” bill and its racist partner bill are in committee. We will continue to bring programs and curriculums that support you and uplift BIPOC Queer histories, cultures, resilience, and contributions to societies around the world through GSA visits. We will fight for your right to safety and security around your identities through our trainings we provide to your school faculty and staff.
HB819
Yesterday, May 2nd, 2023, a bill advanced that would give medical providers a “license to discriminate” based on personal beliefs and religious beliefs. We know how difficult it already is for Trans youth to receive gender affirming care, as this is a frequent request from youth and adults in their lives. We will continue to find providers to recommend Trans affirming pediatric care and connect you with the healthcare you deserve.
HB 673
This Drag Ban bill was introduced April 25th, 2023. This bill would ban drag performance on public property for anyone under 18 years of age. We will continue to have drag performers at Queer Youth Prom and other Youth OUTright events to bring joy and art to you and your community. We will defend drag for all ages, an art that was founded by Black and Latine trans people that continues to inspire us to be our authentic selves
How can adult allies of queer and trans youth support?
Listen to the youth and organize. Organize in your workplace, schools, neighborhoods, places of worship, and communities.
Something as simple as sharing a link to send messages to the NC Senate, or as creative as putting together a public art demonstration will make a difference.
Create networks of care and support.
Plan rideshares for parents of trans youth who might need to leave the state for their children's gender affirming care.
Create a binder/gaff drive to provide trans youth with free gender affirming clothing.
Attend local school board meetings and advocate for racial justice and gender justice curriculums.
Host a bake sale at your church that supports the costs of therapy for trans youth.
Make a ruckus and demand an end to these legislative attacks.
Engage your friends in conversation about what is happening and educate them if they’re unaware.
Organize the adults in your life, and follow the youth's lead in your communities.
To stay updated on current legislation, please follow Equality NC and Campaign for Southern Equality and their NC Is Ready campaign at https://ncisready.org/2023bills.
