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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 14h

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!

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.

www.usatoday.com

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 1d

Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Chiles v. Salazar, a case that will decide whether Colorado and other states can continue regulating harmful and discredited mental health treatments like conversion therapy. Learn more: buff.ly/yC82kYX

Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 1d

Episode 6 of Trans Cookout is now streaming! In this episode, Holiday Simmons speaks with Kayla Gore, the founder of My Sistah's House and the Tiny House Project in Memphis, Tennessee. buff.ly/qp6SHaB

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 3d

Amid a historic federal crackdown on trans rights, Americans are speaking clearly: They oppose bans on gender-affirming care.Majorities across key groups reject these cruel, unscientific attacks. Trans healthcare is essential healthcare. Read more: buff.ly/yxRvDZY

New Poll: Most Americans Oppose Bans On Gender Affirming Care For Trans Youth

A new The 19th/SurveyMonkey poll reveals that most Americans oppose bans on trans care for youth, with LGBTQ+ people overwhelmingly opposing such bans.

buff.ly

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 3d

🌈✨ Thousands came together at Piedmont Park for the 34th Annual AIDS Walk Music Festival & 5K, raising an incredible $1 million for 12 local organizations providing HIV/AIDS prevention and care. The day was filled with music, joy, and community power.
Read more about the impact ▶️
buff.ly/06cVg1l

AIDS Walk raises $1 million for HIV care

Thousands gather for the 34th Annual AIDS Walk Music Festival and 5k Run, raising $1 million for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services.

roughdraftatlanta.com

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 5d

Alabama’s new “What is a Woman” law defines gender only by anatomy at birth, erasing trans people from legal recognition + threatening their rights. Critics say it codifies outdated gender norms. Read more ▶️ buff.ly/iJn6wFd

Alabama enacts controversial gender definition law amid new legislation taking effect

Multiple laws are taking effect in Alabama, including the contentious "What is a Woman Bill," which defines a person's gender based on their biological sex.Sta

newschannel9.com

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 5d

We're hiring! We’re searching for a Special Assistant to the Executive Director. Apply by October 20th to be considered. Learn more and apply: buff.ly/rjRvLWs

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 7d

Trans patients are fighting back against gender-affirming care clinic closures. A group of trans patients and their families have filed a lawsuit against UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, after the hospital ended gender-affirming care for youth. Read more: buff.ly/QTxglwQ

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 8d

Our friends at WREN are organizing against this unconstitutional bill. Send a message to your representative before tomorrow asking them to vote NO on SB 323. Take action at the link: buff.ly/nG8CDyB

Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 8d

Reproductive rights are under attack in South Carolina–take action today! The state legislature is currently considering a total abortion ban that targets abortion providers with anti-racketeering laws, potentially exposing both doctors and patients to decades in prison. buff.ly/l3lgMTZ

Oppose the Senate Total Abortion Ban: Take Action Today!

I just asked my legislator to oppose total abortion ban bill S.323! Click to join me! [@campaign?p2a.co]

p2a.co

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 9d

Our next monthly support group for parents & caregivers of trans youth is coming up! The next virtual event will be held Sunday, October 5th at 6:30 PM EST. Learn more and register: buff.ly/pXfuwYg

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 11d

Western North Carolina AIDS Project, the National AIDS Memorial, Campaign for Southern Equality, & Revolve Gallery are partnering to bring part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to Asheville! See the panels Dec. 1 - 13 at Revolve. Read more ▶️
buff.ly/nmjiyEO

AIDS Memorial Quilt comes to Asheville – Mountain Xpress

Press Release from Western North Carolina AIDS Project:

mountainx.com

Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 12d

1 year ago, we faced an unprecedented crisis – the impact of Hurricane Helene in Asheville & WNC, which put many of us in unthinkable circumstances, including the loss of life & ways of life. Read our new blog on bringing folks together after the storm: buff.ly/OAUSjg2

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 13d

For Emma, choosing where to go to law school wasn’t just about tuition costs, it was about safety, dignity, and the right to exist. Read the full article to hear the stories of three trans individuals facing difficult decisions in the current climate. ▶️ buff.ly/KUFPSTT

New policies are making life harder for trans people — and prompting big financial decisions

White House executive orders and legislation in many states have targeted the rights and protections of trans people. For some, that has meant increased financial worry.

www.npr.org

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 15d

Today, Gov. Abbott signed the bathroom bill communities in TX have been fighting for years. While conservative lawmakers are bent on pushing trans people out of public life, we are grateful to groups like TENT who are fighting for, and building community with, trans folks in TX. buff.ly/d1ngmXy

Abbott signs Texas ‘bathroom bill’ limiting restroom access for transgender people

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill Monday that will require transgender Texas residents to use bathrooms in certain public spaces according to their sex assigned at birth. The law, pass…

thehill.com

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 17d

🏳️‍🌈 In defiance of a mandate erasing rainbow crosswalks and other street art, an Orlando restaurant turned 49 parking spots into a canvas. “Parking Space for Pride” drew over 1000 applications and allowed artists to express their pride, show visibility, and fight back. Read more:

Parking spots used as colorful protest against Florida crackdown on rainbow crosswalks

An Orlando restaurant owner has turned 49 parking spots outside her eatery into art spaces. This move is in response to a state mandate removing rainbow-colored crosswalks and other street art in…

buff.ly

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 18d

We applaud the nine state attorneys general who are standing up for trans students amid attacks from the Trump administration. In a video from @nwlc.org, they pledge to continue their fight for the rights of transgender youth to be safe in school and access gender-affirming care.

9 state attorneys general pledge to support transgender youth: 'We have your back'

"You belong here. You inspire us. And we do love you," nine state AGs tell trans youth in a new video.

buff.ly

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 19d

In a bipartisan effort to restore much needed care to youth, The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act has been introduced in the US Senate. LGBTQ+ need and deserve dedicated mental health support. Call your US Senator and tell them to support this lifesaving bill! Read more ▶️
buff.ly/tQlij70

Senators propose bill to reinstate LGBTQ+ youth crisis lifeline option eliminated by Trump

The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act would direct HHS to dedicate funding toward reviving the program, which the Trump administration scrapped in July.

www.usatoday.com

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 19d

Our next Resource & Resilience Center 🌈 is happening Thursday, 9/25 from 11AM-5PM. We’re gathering folks for great food, massages, haircuts, and more at our offices in Asheville to mark one year since Hurricane Helene and spend some time in community. Get the details 📆 buff.ly/zrPyNii

Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 20d

Today, the Campaign for Southern Equality released a report shedding light on the creeping normalization and widening scope of restrictions on gender-affirming care. Read the full report: transyouthemergencyproject.org/#documenting

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 20d

Right now, there are so many around us who are spreading anti-trans hate-- in political office, in the media, and in our own personal lives. We want you to know that you are not alone. We will continue to do everything we can to advocate for trans rights and offer real, tangible resources.

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 21d

We're hiring! We’re searching for a Special Assistant to the Executive Director. Apply by October 20th to be considered. Learn more and apply: buff.ly/j2fKPNY

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 22d

At least 25 clinics across 15 states have announced that they are ceasing gender-affirming care for youth. We know this is a confusing time for many families and caregivers across the country, so we’re hosting a town hall to break down what’s happening and offer resources. RSVP: buff.ly/q7wCeYJ

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 23d

We are shocked and disappointed to see this decision denying gender-affirming care insurance coverage for a Georgia county employee. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision, which cites the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti, reverses a previous court decision. buff.ly/KOdK7lF

Appeals court rules that Georgia county can exclude gender-affirming surgeries from insurance coverage

In a rehearing, the court reversed its May 2024 opinion, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial U.S. v. Skrmetti decision from June.

www.hrdive.com

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Campaign for Southern Equality @southernequality.bsky.social · 25d

Students and faculty deserve to feel safe and celebrated, but Emory University recently announced they are discontinuing their DEI programs and offices in the wake of the Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration. Read more ➡️

Emory University to discontinue current DEI programs, offices

Back in March, the Atlanta-based institution was one of 45 universities nationwide under scrutiny for its race-based programs that aimed to increase diversity.

buff.ly