This week’s featured writer in the Lavender South,Stephanie C. Jennings of Spartanburg, South Carolina, reflects on resilience and self-discovery in her essay Patience. Read the full essay and more: buff.ly/Ip2rtpm

I Live in Colorado. Conversion Therapy Destroyed My Life. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn my state’s conversion therapy ban will be tragic for many LGBTQ kids.

Last month, the Supreme Court issued a ruling against Colorado's law protecting youth from so-called "conversion therapy. In this article, Sami Tacher, a queer person living in Colorado, describes how "conversion therapy" deeply harmed them and their family.

Read the full article: buff.ly/KC1gFSG

As conservative lawmakers made clear in their statements on the Senate floor yesterday, this bill is an attempt to track gender-affirming care and surveil trans people. Trans people, and all people, have the right to make their own medical decisions and for their medical data to remain private.

Yesterday, the Tennessee State Senate passed SB 676, a first-of-its-kind bill that requires gender-affirming care providers to report data about patients to the Tennessee Department of Health, which would then be made public.

Read more: buff.ly/jxCUjya

Why Housing is A Trans Right Housing rights are trans rights. Kenni Cummings, executive director of SC Tenant Union and a member of the Campaign for Southern Equality team, explains why. Learn more and listen to The Trans…

Housing rights are trans rights. Kenni Cummings, executive director of SC Tenant Union and a member of the Campaign for Southern Equality, explains why. For the whole conversation, check out the Trans Cookout podcast:

We strongly encourage other care providers that can legally provide care – but ceased doing so due to threats from the Trump administration – to resume this medically necessary care and support trans youth.

Minnesota’s largest pediatric system restarts gender-affirming care for trans minors The state’s largest pediatric provider resumed care after a court struck down Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s directive targeting treatment for transgender youth.

Fantastic news in Minnesota 🏳️‍⚧️ Children’s Minnesota, the largest provider of gender-affirming care for trans youth in MN, just resumed care this week after a federal judge blocked a Trump administration effort to label the treatment unsafe. buff.ly/znksyeb

All anti-LGBTQ+ bills defeated as Georgia legislative session ends Georgia Equality celebrates the defeat of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including restrictions on gender-affirming care. Advocacy and activism prevailed.

Good news in Georgia! Advocates defeated all anti-LGBTQ+ bills that were proposed this legislative session. Thanks to @georgiaequality.org for leading this work. Read more: buff.ly/mxmzTdO

New Data Shows Vast Majority of Americans Support Trans Rights The research suggests that right-wing attacks on trans protections are not aligned with the country’s values.

New data shows 85% of Americans believe trans people should have the same rights and protections as everyone else. It is clear that the vast majority of Americans support trans rights, yet politicians continue scapegoating this population instead of focusing on the real issues. buff.ly/17U1WGw

We are excited to introduce poet B Simms. In their poem for The Lavender South, B reflects on love and loss, writing, “The intimacy of love, the intimacy of grief — the echo of their footsteps in the hallways of my heart.” Read the full poem: buff.ly/hyvdCNV

Tennessee board fires library director who refused to comply with LGBTQ+ book purge The Rutherford County Library board terminated Luanne James after she said she would not comply with censorship directives.

Luanne James, a library director in TN, has been fired for refusing to move LGBTQ+-themed books from the youth section of the library. We stand with Luanne and all those who stand up against censorship of LGBTQ+ stories.

Privacy fears grow as Tennessee advances bill that would track gender-affirming care data A Tennessee bill that would track data related togender-affirming care is one step closer to passage despite protests that broke out in the state capitol earli

Our eyes are on TN, where a bill that would publish the private medical data of gender-affirming care patients has passed the House. To learn more about how you can take action against this bill and join the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in Tennessee, follow Tennessee Equality Project. buff.ly/tPzU7Uc

Happy Transgender Day of Visibility! Today and every day, we are celebrating transgender people. In the latest poem published in The Lavender South, Jay Mercer speaks directly to her younger self about her journey coming out as a transgender woman. Read the full poem: buff.ly/PQclIQp

Happy Trans Day of Visibility! Today and every day, we fight for a future where trans folks of all ages can be visible and fully participate in public life. This work is inspired and powered by trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive folks in the South. We see you and we love you!

This week in The Lavender South, Emrys “EV” McGovern reflects on transition and becoming in letters to their younger self.

Read here: buff.ly/dtSNtGu

Librarian risks job after refusing to move LGBTQ+ children's books A Tennessee librarian has garnered national support after refusing to move more than 190 LGBTQ+-themed books out of youth sections.

A library director in Rutherford County, TN is standing up for LGBTQ+ kids by refusing to move over 190 LGBTQ+-themed books from the youth section of the library, despite directives from the library board and the state. buff.ly/7yXUFCJ

Ryder (they/them), a queer non-binary writer living in North Carolina, reflects on wonder, healing, and community in their poem Can You Believe It?, writing, “We live on a planet where we can see rainbows around the moon. Can you even believe it?” Read the full poem at buff.ly/angwIyH

Local officials say that the "Anti-Diversity Bill" passed in Florida will have major financial consequences Local officials and residents are voicing strong opposition to the legislation, which they fear will severely impact community life. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from using funds or…

A new Florida law restricting local DEI funding is raising concerns about the future of Pride events and community programs across the state. buff.ly/DgSNGcc

Dwayne Wade’s new documentary "The Dads" follows Wade and other fathers of trans and gender expansive kids. The film highlights the importance of community and support for parents of transgender children. Read more:
buff.ly/Z45wUD1

The weather is warming up, and so are the offerings at our next Resource & Resilience Center this Thursday, March 26th. We have a great lineup of activities ranging from several chair massage providers to a stacked Pop Up Salon team and jewelry-making with our Southern Equality Studios team!

We are grateful to the Democratic states that challenged this declaration, and are hopeful that this ruling will empower clinics to continue offering life-saving gender-affirming care to youth.

Victory for gender-affirming care access! A U.S. judged has blocked the "declaration" from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denouncing gender-affirming care for youth. buff.ly/uPeiTEp

Oklahoma House approves bill banning state from displaying LGBTQ+ pride flags • Oklahoma Voice Any Oklahoma state government entity, including public schools, would be barred from displaying an LGBTQ+ pride flag under a House bill.

Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced a bill that would prohibit state agencies, including public schools, from displaying LGBTQ+ Pride flags. This blatantly discriminatory bill does nothing to serve the people of Oklahoma. buff.ly/I2z7hv1

LGBTQ+ Candidates Sweep North Carolina Primaries - Charlotte Today Seven LGBTQ+ North Carolinians endorsed by the Victory Fund have won their primary elections, spanning judicial, legislative and local races across the state. The candidates include John Arrowood,…

This week seven LGBTQ+ candidates in NC, endorsed by the Victory Fund, won their primaries! We deserve to have representation at every level of government. Love to see this!@lgbtqvictoryfund buff.ly/bshb5qj

Florida banned Pride crosswalks — so St. Pete lit up the sky with rainbow lasers instead “When I got to St. Pete, seeing that crosswalk, it was life-changing,” one resident said. “When it was removed, it had a significant impact on my heart.”

Love and support for LGBTQ+ people will always shine brighter than hate. Last month, advocates in St. Petersburg lit up the sky with a beautiful rainbow laser display to protest 400 rainbow crosswalks that were painted over and celebrate LGBTQ visibility.

Florida Legislature passes $30.9 million to restore HIV medication program cut to 10,000 residents The Florida Legislature has passed $30.9 million in emergency funding through June 30, 2026.

Resistance in Florida! Yesterday, the Florida state legislature passed a bill that would restore HIV medication access to 10,000 Floridians through June 30th– the bill now heads to the governor’s desk

Our next monthly support group for parents & caregivers of trans youth is coming up! The next virtual event will be held Sunday, March 15th at 6:30 PM EST. Learn more and register: buff.ly/V7PnTyN

Our next monthly support group for parents & caregivers of trans youth is coming up! The next virtual event will be held Sunday, March 15th at 6:30 PM EST. Learn more and register: buff.ly/V7PnTyN

This week, the 4th U.S. The Circuit Court of Appeals upheld West Virginia’s ban on Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming surgeries. WV is one of eleven states that currently bars Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care. buff.ly/hGMIpmI

It's time for us to once again share our stories and underline the fact that LOVE is what makes a family. We want to share your family’s story– fill out the form at the link below to participate. buff.ly/hho2cbC