Campaign for Southern Equality

Brave Texas Church Faces Backlash After Painting Rainbow Steps to Support LGBTQ+ Community: ‘That’s Not a Church’ A brave Texas church is facing a lot of backlash after it painted its steps with rainbow colors to support the LGBTQ+ community.

🌈 A TX church is facing backlash after painting its steps in rainbow colors. Critics have attacked them for simply embracing compassion and loving their neighbors. Read more ▶️

At CSE we are working to support vulnerable members of our communities who will be losing their SNAP benefits, and encourage everyone who is able to donate to your local food bank. Go to the link for a database of local food banks across the US: buff.ly/oWVQ2BK

Our next support group for caregivers of trans youth is coming up! The next virtual event will be held Sunday, November 9th. This is a space for caregivers of trans youth to gather in community, especially those who are navigating accessing gender-affirming care. Register: buff.ly/gJIW1Tg

We knew they would escalate their attacks, but we also know:

❌ The rules are not finalized or in effect.
❌ There are pathways to safe, legal care.
❌ We will never stop fighting for trans youth.

Learn more about the new federal rules and TYEP: buff.ly/BL3wvdM

Despite these attacks, the fact remains that providing gender-affirming care to youth remains legal in many states across the country. The Trans Youth Emergency Project will continue helping families of transgender youth across the country access this care.

As Trump Administration Escalates Anti-Trans Attacks, Families of Transgender Youth Can Still Legally Access Care - Campaign for Southern Equality It has been reported that the Trump Administration will soon finalize two federal rules, one prohibiting federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) reimbursement for…

Breaking: The administration will soon propose two federal rules, one prohibiting federal Medicaid and CHIP reimbursement for youth gender-affirming care, another barring hospitals that provide youth gender-affirming care from receiving Medicaid/Medicare funds. Read our statement: buff.ly/BL3wvdM

Federal judge vacates Biden-era rule protecting transgender patients from discrimination A federal judge has vacated a Biden administration rule that extended anti-discrimination protections to gay, lesbian and transgender patients in federal healthcare programs.

A federal judge has vacated a rule that protected transgender, and all LGBTQ+ patients, from discrimination in federal healthcare programs. We are deeply disappointed to see yet another rollback of LGBTQ+ people’s right to access healthcare.

Immigrant communities in 'crisis mode' amid surge of ICE agents to Memphis, advocates say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has conducted mass pullovers since their arrival in Memphis, advocates say. Here's what we know.

We join with advocates + families in solidarity with immigrant communities and resist ICE’s horrific campaign designed to sow fear, panic, & division. In these stories of resistance, we see the strength and grit and love that we need to draw deeply on. buff.ly/0eeenwv

Update! A lot of folks in our community are feeling the impact of losing SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, so we will be giving away free grocery store gift cards at our Resource & Resilience Center this week. Cards will be available until supplies run out.

There are no LGBTQIA+ rights without the I. Intersex people, born with variations in their sex
traits, are 2% of all people, but are so often erased. When our rights are under attack, intersex rights are too. Follow our friends at @interact.bsky.social to learn more about Intersex identity. 💛💜

There are no LGBTQIA+ rights without the I. Intersex people, born with variations in their sex
traits, are 2% of all people, but are so often erased. When our rights are under attack, intersex rights are too. Follow our friends at @InterACT_adv to learn more about what it means to be Intersex. 💛💜

Federal judge rules in favor of public schools in 16 states that refused to comply with Trump's trans ban The judge will block the Trump administration's attempt to restrict funding for sex education from schools that teach it in an inclusive way.

When the Trump Administration threatened to strip federal funding from schools that teach about gender identity or include transgender students in their policies, school districts and states across the country refused to comply– and won.

Several clinics in MA, including Fenway Health, recently announced that they will no longer provide gender-affirming care for youth under 19. The Trans Youth Emergency Project is here to help & is hosting a Town Hall with partners on 10/29 at 6:30pm to share more. RSVP: buff.ly/uT9jAjx

We’re having a costume encouraged 🎃Halloween Resource & Resilience Center on Oct. 30th from 11AM-5PM at 20 Oak Street! We have a ton of free offerings including lunch, chair massages, Tarot readings, multiple hair stylists/barbers, D&D & more. Learn more: buff.ly/H43bJhH

The Trump Administration wants to throw the transgender community into chaos, fear, and confusion– but the fact remains that transgender people maintain the right to travel internationally.

It’s important to note that nothing in the rule states that those with an “X” gender marker not allowed to travel, and a US district court issued an order in June ensuring that “X” gender markers on travel documents remain valid.

US tells airlines to disregard ‘X’ sex markers on passports and input ‘M’ or ‘F’ Customs and Border Protection implemented rule this week, sending Americans with ‘X’ marker into panic

A new rule requires airlines to disregard “X” gender markers on passports, and input an “M” or “F” marker instead. Those with “X” gender markers on their travel documents are concerned about what this may mean for their ability to travel. buff.ly/UejLx4D

Rainbows but also clouds as NC town hosts Pride Fest amid Trump administration's anti-trans push The sound of hymns clashed with drums as thousands gathered for Pride Fest in Wake Forest, North Carolina

In Wake Forest, NC and across the country, escalating political attacks on LGBTQ+ people have cast a dark shadow over pride festivities. We are reminded that pride is and always will be a form of protest against those who would prefer our community go back into hiding. Read more: buff.ly/wKZ6fdX

Transgender runner from Orlando raises funds for gender-affirming care Simran Chugani is part of a charity team organized by the LGBTQ nonprofit Point of Pride to run the NYC marathon next month.

Despite FL’s hostile political climate, Orlando-based poet & healthcare researcher Simran Chugani has found community & purpose. Now, they are running the 2025 NYC Marathon with Point of Pride to raise funds for gender-affirming care! Read more ▶️

Queer in Kentucky: LGBTQ+ community finds unlikely home in rural areas The state has been locked in a political tug-of-war over LGBTQ+ rights that gives the community reason to hope and reason to fear.

In small towns across Kentucky, LGBTQ+ residents are finding home and community, even in places once thought too conservative to love them back. Read the stories of queer Kentuckians and how courage and care are reshaping the Bluegrass State 🌈
buff.ly/PAcXxfE

Some Texas community colleges remove course materials amid broader push to limit gender identity discussions | Houston Public Media At least two community colleges, Alvin and Blinn, are also considering what they can and can’t teach to high schoolers enrolled in their fast-growing dual credit courses.

“What can we even say anymore?” Texas professors are being told to scrub gender identity and LGBTQ+ topics from their college courses, even for adult students, as community colleges bow to political pressure and unclear state laws. Read more ▶️
buff.ly/zS7Ix8k

Southern Equality Studios and CSE proudly present "The Reverb of Resistance" – a powerful night of music, drag performances, art, & solidarity featuring WNC performers. Join us on Oct. 24th from 7-9pm at Eulogy in Asheville for this one-of-a-kind showcase: buff.ly/loIfCzc

If you are impacted–the Trans Youth Emergency Project can help. We help trans youth and their families impacted by clinic closures find a new provider and offer a grant of $500 to help cover the cost of relocating their care. Get support: transyouthemergencyproject.org

Facing federal pressure, Fenway Health halts gender-affirming care for patients under 19 Facing federal pressure, the Boston clinic's decision has prompted backlash from LGBTQ+ community members.

Fenway Health, a leader in LGBTQ+ health and gender-affirming care, has announced that it will stop providing gender-affirming care for patients under 19, the latest of over 20 clinics to do so. buff.ly/kzQ1vEv

Trailblazing trans activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy has died - Arkansas Times Transgender elder, activist and icon Miss Major Griffin-Gracy died Monday at her home in Little Rock. She was 78. Her life was a careening history lesson in oppression and defiance.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a trailblazing trans rights advocate who shaped our movement for the better. Thank you, Miss Major, for spending your life fighting for a world where Black trans people can live, thrive, and find rest. buff.ly/xuAitgj

How the Bathroom Bill Weaponizes Transphobia Against Public Institutions A legal expert called the new anti-trans Texas bathroom law “the most plainly unlawful, undemocratic legislation I’ve seen in recent history.”

In Texas, a new law will fine public institutions up to $125,000 if they allow transgender people to use essential facilities like restrooms, locker rooms, and dorms that align with their gender. It’s important to note the fine will apply directly to institutions, not trans people.

Happy National Coming Out Day! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ ❤️ Whether you are out and proud or still finding the language to understand your identity, just know that you are loved and our community is ready to welcome you. Learn more coming out resources from @trevorproject.bsky.social buff.ly/kZ9Eoo7

Rainbow crosswalk removed from Ocean Drive in Miami Beach to protests For years, there has been a rainbow crosswalk at the corner of Ocean Drive and 12th Street. On Sunday night, FDOT crews removed the colorful bricks as a small group of protestors looked on.

We are disheartened to see the Miami Beach crosswalk be removed due to the ongoing political pressures from the state of Florida. They can erase the crosswalk, but they will *never* erase our pride and resilience 🌈

The Trump Admin’s Executive Order to block trans & nonbinary people from getting passports is cruel + extreme – that’s why multiple judges have blocked it from going into effect. SCOTUS must reject Trump’s appeal & protect key access to identity documents. buff.ly/lP2UqOA

What are the top 10 most banned books in the US? See PEN America's list. PEN America reports that nearly 4,000 unique book titles were challenged for banning in the U.S. in 2024. Take a look at the titles.

It’s Banned Books Week! Across the country, and especially here in the South, conservative policymakers are censoring our stories. Go to the link to see PEN America’s list of the top ten most banned books in the U.S.--we hope you add them to your reading list!