Cal Smith

2025 Out Leaders List graphic with Caleb Smith's headshot. "Caleb Smith, (Any Pronouns), LGBTQI+ Policy Director, Center for American Progress"

Congratulations to CAP's @calebllsmith.bsky.social for being listed as one of @outinnationalsecurity.org and @newamerica.org's Out Leaders 2025 honoree. #OutLeadership2025 www.outinnationalsecurity.org/honor-roll/2...

Event graphic with the event title, "In Conversation: The 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey," with the description, "LGBTQI+ surveys and studies are essential for understanding the needs of our communities. Join the Center for American Progress and our authors to discuss data insights on topics such as the communities' wage gaps, caregiving, experiences of disabled LGBTQI+ people, barriers in health care, and more." Below are headshots for Colin Seeberger, Casey Doherty, Haley Norris, Sara Estep, and Molly Weston Williamson.

As the Trump administration continues to censor LGBTQI+ data and slash critical research funding, it's more important than ever to understand the needs of LGBTQI+ communities. Don't miss this important conversation with CAP thought leaders on Monday, July 28: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

Join me tomorrow for our conversation about the 2024 CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey! RSVP here: www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

Over a million queer women rely on Medicaid. What happens if they lose it? Lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be low-income, more likely to be parents and more likely to rely on Medicaid. They could fall through the cracks of Trump’s new tax law.

Sara Habein, a mother of two in Montana, recently learned that she has cysts in her brain. Every six months, her doctors check that the cysts aren’t growing.

If she didn’t have Medicaid, she's not sure what she would do. Now, Trump’s “one big, beautiful” law threatens her coverage.

In Conversation: The 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey Join CAP for a panel and discussion about new insights into LGBTQI+ experiences.

Virtual LGBTQ event alert!

11am on Monday, I'll be joined by several CAP colleagues to discuss new findings from our 2024 LGBTQI+ Survey. Topics include the disabled LGBTQI+ community, the LGBTQI+ wage gap, caregiving, and more.

RSVP and find out more here! www.americanprogress.org/events/in-co...

Presidential Appeasement and the Supreme Court: The State of the Court in 2025 Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event on presidential appeasement and the Supreme Court in 2025.

Today at 11 am ET: Don't miss our virtual event on presidential appeasement and the Supreme Court in 2025. www.americanprogress.org/events/presi...

We'll be joined by @audrelawdamercy.bsky.social, @leahlitman.bsky.social, @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social, and @anthonymkreis.bsky.social.

My colleague Sara at @americanprogress.bsky.social examined our CAP LGBTQI+ Community Survey, revealing that LGBTQI+ households earn just 85 cents for every $1 of non-LGBTQI+ households. LGBTQI+ women households earn even less, at just 52 cents per $1.

www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

We’re not working or networking or skill building at this retreat - we’re resting and recharging so we can come back to the work.

Camp Ground is Labor Day Weekend in CA - message me if you have questions!

Hint: if your first thought is “how can I volunteer/help”, this camp is probably for you!

Some of the very best people I know have created a camp - it’s a retreat for those of us who do social justice work. Camp Ground is about rest: no work allowed.

If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.

The camp is in California, over Labor Day weekend.

We’re not networking, we’re not skill building, we’re taking time to recharge and heal, together and in the outdoors.

Hint: if your first thought is, “how can I volunteer/help”, this camp is also probably for you! 🩵

The Dangers of Obeying: 4 Risks for Organizations Bowing to the Trump Administration The Trump administration is demanding unprecedented power and punishing those who refuse to comply, but civil society acting peacefully with collective courage can build a stronger democracy.

MUST-READ: My CAP colleague Alice Lillydahl has a terrific new column out today on why appeasement of Trump's illegal demands may be far more dangerous to organizations than compliance is.

LGBTQI+ People Are Underinsured and Experience Health Insurance Discrimination in Key Areas New Center for American Progress survey findings demonstrate how LGBTQI+ people are at greater risk of losing access to health care under the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Right-wing senators are trying to defund coverage of trans medical care. A new report out today from my colleague @hvnorrisphd.bsky.social reveals: 28% of insured trans folks are covered through Medicaid and 6% through ACA plans.

Coverage MUST be protected.
www.americanprogress.org/article/lgbt...

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Weekdays until June 28, I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

An archived copy of the handbook can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20241206...

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Defense had a detailed handbook on supporting transgender service members, providing policies that ensured equity and covered topics from dress code to commander responsibilities. It has since been censored, but we have a copy.

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. On weekdays until June 28, I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

The Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons are Integral to U.S. Foreign Policy - United States Department of State On June 27, 2024, Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted the Convening on U.S. Foreign Policy: National Security, Inclusive Development, and the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons. Special Envoy to Adv...

An archived copy of the article can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20240815...

Key state department officials shared at a national convening how LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of international policy. Secretary Blinken and other leaders affirmed the importance of diversity in international policy. The article is no longer available on government sites.

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. On weekdays until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

An archived copy of the policies and guidance can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20250117...

Today’s Something Censored - Wiped from the TSA website; policies and guidance on traveling through TSA for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. Much of this advice is still helpful; highly recommend a read for those traveling.

Also, on Skrmetti. Folks are going to analyze, write about the harms of the ruling. While we do, it is SO important to remember:

The people who sued for care, went before SCOTUS and argued for equal rights were right to do so. Their strategy was solid, their aim was correct.

Hope is never wrong.

What U.S. v. Skrmetti Did, What It Didn’t Do, and What It Can Never Do There is going to be a lot of catastrophizing today. We lost U.S. v. Skrmetti, one of the biggest transgender civil rights cases of our…

Listen. We cannot predicate fighting on winning. We're going to lose a lot in the days to come, and if we’re going to make it through the nights we need to find something to fuel us that runs deeper than hope. We’re past hope.

We don't follow hope. Hope follows us.

There will be more to come over the next days and weeks. Today, it’s important to remember that this ruling did not further restrict gender-affirming care.

The trans care that was available yesterday is available today.

We prepared for this. There *is* a path forward. Together, we will walk it.

Today, SCOTUS chose politicians over doctors, misinformation over science, and special interest groups over families.

When leaders choose to cower rather than defend, it’s devastating. But, it is also clarifying. This ruling is a directive to us - to keep fighting.

In community, we will win. 🏳️‍⚧️

STATEMENT: Supreme Court Ruled Against Bodily Autonomy in Skrmetti Case

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law barring lifesaving medical care for transgender minors. In response, @calebllsmith.bsky.social, director of LGBTQI+ Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement: www.americanprogress.org/press/statem...

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Every weekday until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

An archived copy of the guide can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20250118...

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Housing and Urban Development compiled a resource on ensuring equal access to shelters/ housing programs for trans people. While it was removed from HUD's website, it is still a powerful tool for organizations committed to providing inclusive resources.

The 2024 LGBTQI+ Wage Gap In recognition of LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, new analysis from the Center for American Progress’ LGBTQI+ Community Survey shows that in 2024, LGBTQI+ households made just 85 cents for every dol...

Its #LGBTQIAEqualPay day! CAP data shows LGBTQI+ women lose over 39k a year and Black LGBTQI+ households lose over 33k.
We have to fight back against this administration that is destroying every right and enforcement institution on the books.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...