Judge temporarily blocks NH's anti-DEI law for schools A Republican-backed provision included in the earlier this year state budget was placed on hold Thursday, after a judge found the state actions conflicted with state law.

A federal judge said the temporary restraining order against NH's anti-DEI law is “an extraordinary remedy” to be used sparingly, but that it’s warranted in this case. buff.ly/4xseuj9

Trans Youth Emergency Project: Supporting Families of Trans Youth Supporting families of trans youth nationwide through the logistical and financial burdens of navigating bans on gender-affirming care.

And a reminder: if you’re looking for care for your child out of state, the Trans Youth Emergency Fund has travel grants available! southernequality.org/tyep/

Mass. is emerging as a haven for trans youth seeking care as restrictions reach deeper in New England - The Boston Globe Massachusetts has become a "critical refuge" as transgender teens try to navigate a rapidly changing legal landscape.

An important (and heart-wrenching) look at some of the families impacted by New Hampshire’s trans youth healthcare bans.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/25/m...

Opinion: Farewell New Hampshire - Concord Monitor "New Hampshire is barging into our family’s decisions about our daughter’s medical care, directly impeding our ability to get her care."

Shame on every politician who forces families— who want freedom and belonging —out of state when their children are transgender. We’ll miss the Manzelli-Turmelle family and are so grateful for their advocacy.

www.concordmonitor.com/2025/08/22/m...

On a navy blue background with slanted thin white stripes and a red frame, white text reads, “Panic can impede action. Instead, we will stay engaged. Keep elevating why marriage matters for you, your family members, your community - why it is important, and why it is good for everyone, regardless of who they are or who they love.” In the bottom right corner is a light pink outline of two small hearts on the side of one large heart.

On a navy blue background with slanted thin white stripes and a red frame, a drawing of two rings with small hearts on them appears at the top. Below, white text reads, “Headlines are never the whole story. Over the last week, we’ve seen news outlets covering Kim Davis’ ask to the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the freedom to marry. We know many of you may have questions about what that means and how to protect your family. Here’s what you need to know [small arrow pointing to the bottom right corner]”

On a navy blue background with slanted thin white stripes and a red frame, white text reads, “The Supreme Court takes less than 1% of these asks. The Court has not yet answered whether they will consider Davis’ case. Davis’ case is based on a very narrow question that is well-settled. It would be highly unusual for the Supreme Court to take this up.” In the bottom right corner is a light pink outline of the Supreme Court building.

On a navy blue background with slanted thin white stripes and a red frame, white text reads, “The case for marriage equality is stronger than ever. We won the freedom to marry nationwide not just from the Obergefell case, but through every level of the democratic process -in state legislatures, in federal courts, at the ballot and in the United States Congress. We did that by telling stories about love and our families that opened the hearts and minds of our neighbors and decision-makers, and through patient conversations based on discovering shared values and understanding.” In the bottom right corner is a light pink outline of a fist with a circle and three lines.

On a navy blue background with slanted thin white stripes and a red frame, white text reads, “Public support for the freedom to marry remains extremely high. There is majority support for marriage equality in every state and bipartisan majority support nationwide. Marriage equality has strengthened the country and harmed no one - and that freedom exists now not just in the United States, but in 39 countries across 7 continents.” In the bottom right corner is a light pink outline of a chart with 4 growing bars and an upwards pointing arrow above them.

Headlines are never the whole story.
Over the last week, we’ve seen news outlets covering Kim Davis’ ask to the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the freedom to marry. We know many of you may have questions about what that means and how to protect your family. Here’s what you need to know:

Profile view of Mary Bonauto, Senior Director of Civil Rights at GLAD Law, with the quote: "Kim Davis’ case is extremely narrow...There’s good reason for the Supreme Court to deny review in this case rather than unsettle something so positive for couples, children, families, and the larger society as marriage equality”

Kim Davis is asking the Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell, but her case is narrow and it would be unusual to grant review in such a matter. Marriage equality is strong, and GLAD Law is here to protect it. For resources on safeguarding your family visit: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Advocates plan next moves after Ayotte signs bans on gender-affirming care for minors • New Hampshire Bulletin In a series of decisions on transgender legislation this year, Gov. Kelly Ayotte has taken a page from her predecessor’s playbook.

For teens and their families who want to begin after January 2026, the bans will require them to travel out of state to get care. “We’re lucky to be surrounded by states that provide gender-affirming health care to young people,” said Linds Jakows of 603 Equality. From @ethandewitt.bskky.social

We are so grateful these organizations are challenging the broad ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion in public and some private institutions that was passed in this year's budget!

On a pink to blue gradient background, black text reads, “By signing these bills, Governor Ayotte would rather side with malicious misinformation rather than declare the truth: that gender affirming care for young transgender people is safe, effective, and delivered by expert providers after detailed consideration with patients and their families. 603 Equality will continue to educate communities across the state about the importance of this care, and of controlling our own bodies and lives until these cruel laws are repealed.” - Linds Jakows, Founder, 603 Equality. Below and to the right of the quote is a photo of Linds, a white nonbinary person with shoulder-length blond hair. In the very center is the 603 Equality logo, Below, in the bottom right corner, is those words with a rainbow and trans flag and small gold stars in the middle. Below is another quote, “These are decisions that should be guided by longstanding medical expertise, rather than by political agendas or fear. I can’t imagine what it would have felt like to have my healthcare been disrupted by politics as a youth. To transgender youth everywhere: You deserve love, respect, and access to the care that affirms your identity and your future. Now is the time for all of us, trans and cis, young and old; to stand together and say unequivocally: our lives, our identities, and our futures are not up for debate.” -Julia Hawthorne, Board Member. To the left of the quote is a photo of Julia, a white trans woman with chin length brown hair.

On a pink to blue gradient background, newspaper-style text reads, “GOV KELLY AYOTTE JUST SIGNED GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE BANS FOR NEW TRANS PATIENTS UNDER 18.” The 603 Equality logo, those words with a rainbow and trans flag and small gold stars in the middle, appears to the left below the headline. Below is a photo of a patient and doctor. Text below the photo reads, “HB 377 to ban new patients (highlighted in yellow) from accessing puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy effective Jan 1, 2026.” To the right of the photo, is the date, August 1, 2025, and the text, “HB 712 to ban all gender affirming surgeries for Trans teens in NH effective Jan 1, 2026.” Below text reads, “Referrals out of state still available!”

We’re sorry we missed sharing this news on Bluesky on Friday when it broke.

Governor Ayotte: Thank you for vetoing the book ban and bathroom ban. Now, veto trans youth healthcare bans. Governor Kelly Ayotte just vetoed a book ban and a bathroom ban targeting our LGBTQIA community, especially transgender and gender nonconforming people. Now, she must veto two bills that would block f...

Hey #NewHampshire! Please take a moment to complete @603equality.bsky.social's letter template asking Gov Ayotte to VETO HB377 (ban puberty blockers despite their safety in a variety of medical indications) and HB712 (ban on chest surgeries for minors, again despite their use in many indications). 💙

For many of the transgender young people who know who they are well before that age, this care cannot wait. Even when waiting is not deadly, affirming healthcare allows trans teens the best chance to thrive.

Rep. David Nagel: There are a couple more bills deserving of Ayotte's veto IN MY role as a legislator, physician, advocate, and human being, I have asked Gov. Kelly Ayotte to veto HB 377 and 712. These bills would ban the prescription of

We’re grateful for Rep. David Nagel, MD, clearly + publicly calling on Governor Ayotte to veto cruel and unnecessary bans on gender-affirming healthcare for trans teens. At the same time: we strongly disagree with him that the ideal age for this care would be 25.
www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-e...

There isn’t a national bathroom ban pending in US Congress right now. Technically the NH State legislature could override the veto with a 2/3rds vote on veto day this fall, but veto overrides are extremely rare.

if you marched with Lady Liber-pee at Manchester Pride, if you sang or acted as the “genital inspection police” at the state house to call attention to the absurdity of enforcement, if you shared graphics and encouraged your friends to call Governor Ayotte - thank you. It paid off.

On a background that looks like a beige crumpled page, the top of the graphic says “BREAKING NEWS” “603 Equality” “WED JUL 16, 2025” like a header of a newspaper, with the 603 Equality logo in the middle (a white circle with the words “603 Equality,” a rainbow and trans flag in the center surrounded by small gold stars). Below, large text that looks like a newspaper headline says, “BECAUSE OF ALL OF US, GOV AYOTTE DID THE RIGHT THING. VETOED! BOOK BAN VETOED! BATHROOM BAN.” Images at the bottom include a large panoramic photo of many people outside of the state house holding signs, rainbow and trans flags. Covering that image are images of the two actors who acted as “genital observation police” wearing badges and holding cards, and drag performer Bobby Bratworst wearing trans flag colors, a crown, dressed as “Lady Liber-Pee” with a small balloon that says, “pride” on it.

On a background that looks like a beige crumpled page, the top left corner of the page has a light blue speech bubble coming from a photo of Linds Jakows, Founder, a white nonbinary person with shoulder-length blond hair. Their quote in the speech bubble reads, “All young people, including LGBTQ young people, benefit from having access to a wide range of school library materials. We are thankful that Governor Ayotte chose to defend the basic freedom to read, rather than side with politicians who instigate fear of what they do not understand.” Below, in the bottom right corner, is a light pink speech bubble with a quote from Julia Hawthorne, a white trans woman with chin length brown hair.” Under her is a name blurb that says, Julia Hawthorne, Board Member. Her quote reads, “The governor’s veto sends a clear message: in New Hampshire, we value freedom, fairness, and the fundamental right of every person to exist in public life without shame or fear. Now, we call on Governor Ayotte to veto the proposed trans youth healthcare bans which will soon reach her desk.”

Good news: Governor Ayotte vetoed HB 324, the book ban, and HB 148, the bathroom ban! This is a good reminder: our work pays off. If you were one of the 2,910 people who signed in to oppose the bathroom ban at its first hearing, if you were one of 1,367 people who signed in to oppose the book ban,

HB 148 would allow any private or public organization to ban trans people from the restrooms, locker rooms, + prisons that align with their gender identity, in the name of "biological sex." This bill also completely ignores the existence of intersex people. If signed, it takes effect 60 days later.

HB 324 would broadly allow the state government to ban books in local school libraries, including criminalizing school librarians. It will go into effect January 1, 2026.

These bills will be signed or vetoed in the coming days. The healthcare bans still haven’t started the administrative process, so we still don’t know when they will reach her desk. Leave a voicemail with her office as soon as you can!

actionnetwork.org/letters/gove...

If you are near Manchester, NH this is a queer and trans focused trauma informed, disability inform, self-defense/de-escalation training by Impact Boston. The organizers confirmed this does include active bystander training. We protect ourselves, all of us.

Queer De-Escalation / Self-Defense Training 603 Equality is offering a Deescalation and Self-Defense training led by Impact Boston. This is a scenario based training to develop verbal deescalation and basic physical self-defense skills specifi...

We know how important it is to keep ourselves and others safe, especially for those who have already encountered increased hostility and harassment fueled by those who are hellbent on misunderstanding us. Questions? Contact deescalation@603equality.org

actionnetwork.org/ticketed_eve...

Queer De-Escalation / Self-Defense Training 603 Equality is offering a Deescalation and Self-Defense training led by Impact Boston. This is a scenario based training to develop verbal deescalation and basic physical self-defense skills specifi...

Please register for our first de-escalation and self-defense training on Saturday July 12th, from 10am-6pm in Manchester, led by IMPACT Boston.

On a pale lavender background, green text reads, “March in Manchester Pride with 603 Equality + Bobby Bratworst! Below, in all caps, text reads, “Our float will be decked out with a toilet to say: Flush bathroom bigotry! Saturday June 28 Line up 10 AM Parade Starts 11 AM.” Below is a graphic of a blue truck with a toilet in the back, and a photo of drag performer Bobby Bratworst wearing a crowd, their face and hands green, holding a torch that looks like the Statue of Liberty. On the outside of the truck, there are cartoony graphics of four people dancing and holding rainbow flags, and to their left, the logo for 603 Equality- those words in a white circle with black rim, and a rainbow and trans flag in the center with small gold stars surrounding them.

March with us in Manchester Pride this Saturday to call attention to the bathroom ban and other harmful bills that will soon be reaching the Governor. We're so excited for Bobby Bratworst to be doing drag on our float! RSVP here: actionnetwork.org/events/march...

Largest trans survey ever finds the top reason transgender people stop transitioning is transphobia “In almost every single case, the reason was anti-trans discrimination in the form of pressure to ‘detransition’ from one’s family, friends, or community,” the survey found.

Largest trans survey ever finds the top reason transgender people stop transitioning is transphobia

“In almost every single case, the reason was anti-trans discrimination in the form of pressure to ‘detransition’ from one’s family, friends, or community,” the survey found.

“My [trans] child is teaching me about freedom” - Rosie Emrich

Flyer by 603 equality with information to help voters contact NH governor Ayotte. Call her at (603) 271-2121

The final round of anti-trans youth bills have passed the State House & Senate. Today HB 10 was signed by NH Gov Ayotte. It forces teachers to “out” students to an abusive family, & to tell parents who sexually abuse their child that a child has made a report. Take action.

@603equality.bsky.social

Make a plan to vote in this special election on Tuesday, June 24th if you live in Somersworth or Rollinsford, and tell your friends to elect a trans representative who will fight for freedom and equality!

On a white background, that includes a black and white photo of the New Hampshire statehouse dome on the bottom and right sides, the 603 Equality logo (a white circle with a black rim, the words 603 Equality, and rainbow and trans flags with small gold stars in the center) appears at the top left side. Below on the left, Billie Butler, a white trans femme person with dirty blonde hair, pigtails and glasses, wearing overalls and a flowery collared shirt, holds a tattooed arm up in a performing gesture. To their right, is text reading “BILLIE BUTLER Special Election Tuesday June 24th State Rep Strafford 12 (Somersworth, Rollinsford)”

We are proud to endorse Billie Butler (@billiethebitter) for state representative, who is fighting for affordable housing, livable wages, quality education for all, gig workers, protecting our environment, government transparency - and of course, LGBTQIA rights!