Transgender federal workers are suing the Trump administration after it removed coverage of gender-affirming care from their healthcare benefits. Gender-affirming care is medically-necessary, lifesaving healthcare that should be covered by insurance. Read more: buff.ly/NjOZ5D6

Visibility and representation in film matter – movies are how many young LGBTQ+ people see others like them for the first time 📺 Thankful to @glaad.bsky.social for tracking this data, and advocating for LGBTQ+ folks to see ourselves represented in film:

This week in the Lavender South, Tip, a queer poet from Virginia, reflects on healing, resilience, and chosen family in her poem Love Letter to My Inner Child, speaking to earlier versions of herself with compassion and care. buff.ly/qKRJmpX

🏀The Trans Liberation Basketball League in Atlanta has worked to create a space for trans athletes to play as themselves and build community through sports. Learn more:

Trans Liberation Basketball League empowers and protects transgender athletes

The Trans Liberation Basketball League is a safe space for transgender athletes to connect and compete in a supportive and inclusive environment.

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🏳️‍🌈Looking for belonging and support in North and South Carolina? Qnotes has put together a list of organizations and programs supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the Carolinas! Check it out here:

LGBTQ+ youth organizations and support in the Carolinas - QnotesCarolinas.com

Discover LGBTQ+ youth programs, support groups, community centers and family resources serving young people across the Carolinas.

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Read this powerful perspective from Jennifer Levi, a woman who played in the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup and paved the way for generations of women and girls to play their sport:

Women's Sports Were Built by Letting Girls In

When the Supreme Court upheld West Virginia's ban on transgender girls participating in girls' school sports in <Em>West Virginia v. B.P.J.</em>, it said the ruling was about protecting the safety…

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Professors are fighting back against anti-LGBTQ+ censorship in Texas! Read more:

Texas Tech sued over limits on race, gender instruction

The lawsuit asks a federal judge to halt the restrictions as discriminatory, improperly vague and a violation of free speech.

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This week in the Lavender South we are featuring Lindsey Jaymes Spero, a self-described “swamp queer” navigating life in a state where transgender people face some of the most restrictive policies in the country. Read Lindsey’s full poem: buff.ly/qKRJmpX

Registration is now open for @colage.bsky.social’s Atlanta Family Weekend! Family Weekend is a multiracial gathering of LGBTQ+ families with an explicit focus on BIPOC families. Register: buff.ly/ofZooBE

“Movements are long, and the fight for justice is a multigenerational fight.”- Chase Strangio, @aclu.org, on recent transgender rights losses at The Supreme Court. Hear more about next steps legal advocates are taking to protect transgender rights within today’s legal climate:

Where trans advocates are focusing efforts after recent court defeats

The Supreme Court wrapped up one of its most consequential terms for shaping LGBTQ rights. In one of the major decisions, the justices upheld state bans on transgender athletes in girls' and women's…

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Our next monthly support group for parents & caregivers of trans youth is coming up! The next virtual event will be held Sunday, July 26th at 6:30 PM EST. Learn more and register: buff.ly/VERsy80

In Growing Like a Weed, Max Ramsey reflects on five years of transition. See more queer Southern art in the Lavender South, our new project showcasing LGBTQ+ Southern creatives: buff.ly/qKRJmpX

We'd love to see you on Saturday, July 25 for a Trans Film & Wellness event hosted by the Campaign for Southern Equality, LGBTQ+ Center of Durham, Comfry Films, and the Pauli Murray Center. This event is free – and will feature offerings from some amazing practitioners. Register at buff.ly/VkdnpT6

We're looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Resource & Resilience Center on July 30! Check out everything being offered and come spend time with us.

Tourmaline, author of the first definitive biography of Marsha P. Johnson, shares what young trans folks can learn from early trans activists like Marsha and Sylvia Rivera. For the whole conversation, check out the Trans Cookout podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. buff.ly/PcjaF34

Trans Rights and the Living Legacy of Marsha P. Johnson with Tourmaline

Tourmaline is an award-winning filmmaker and author of the new book, "Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson." On this episode of Trans Cookout, Tourmaline joins host Holiday Simmons to…

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There have recently been conflicting reports about proposed rules from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that aim to restrict gender-affirming care access for youth nationwide – but there are no official new updates on the rules.

This is a horrific attack on incarcerated trans folks in MO. Stopping medication can lead to mental & physical health challenges, including heart complications, metabolic dysfunction, severe bone density loss, cognitive decline, mood instability, + more. Read more: buff.ly/u1d2s2U

GOP governor signs bill forcing trans inmates to detransition - LGBTQ Nation

The bill's sponsor said people who are convicted of crimes don't deserve gender-affirming care.

lgbtqnation.com

On this Non-Binary People’s Day, we are sharing perspectives from writer Aradia Alvarez in the Lavender South. Growing up, Aradia was made to feel “wrong” just for being themself. Read more in the Lavender South at: buff.ly/Zks0Peh.

Trans dancers deserve the same opportunities.. We’re grateful to see Irish dance organizations standing by their inclusive policies in the face of political pressure. Everyone deserves a place on the dance floor. Read more: buff.ly/926pX39

Irish dancers rally behind trans athletes as Florida threatens to ban them from competing

Attorney General of Florida is threatening legal action against a Dublin-based governing body for Irish Dancing for allowing trans dancers.

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This week’s featured creative in the Lavender South is Kevin Garcia. Kevin's poem reflects the transitional phase of life he is currently in, having moved away from family to pursue college and his authentic self. Read more from The Lavender South at buff.ly/Zks0Peh

New research participation opportunity! The PLUS Study and is an exciting new study about bisexual, pansexual, or queer youth and young adults' unique experiences and identities. If you are interested in participating, email PLUSStudy@childrens.harvard.edu to be sent a short eligibility survey.

Join us for "The Films and The Feels" at the @paulimurraycenter.bsky.social in Durham, NC! This free event uplifts the magic of trans and non-binary resilience and is open to all. Learn more and RSVP for the film fest portion of the event: buff.ly/v6aSIyH

Pride is about showing up for one another, and that’s exactly what Tryon, North Carolina did. Thank you to the organizers of the Love is Love festival for creating such a joyful celebration and for generously donating the proceeds to the CSE! Read more: buff.ly/dVUTPlg

Love Is Love festival celebrates pride, diversity in downtown Tryon - The Tryon Daily Bulletin

TRYON—Downtown Tryon was filled with music, art and celebration Sunday as the Love Is Love: Tryon Pride Festival welcomed visitors from across the region for an afternoon and evening honoring […]

tryondailybulletin.com

In this episode of Trans Cookout, Holiday Simmons speaks with Tourmaline, author of the first definitive biography of Marsha P. Johnson, “Marsha”. For the whole conversation, check out the Trans Cookout podcast wherever you get your podcasts. buff.ly/qHtOhsV

“The Supreme Court’s decision does not change who Becky is. It cannot take away her connection to the sport, the lessons it has taught her or the friends she has made.”-Heather Jackson, mother of Becky Pepper-Jackson Read the full op-ed: buff.ly/vkjGBbb

Supreme Court ruling on trans athletes can't change my daughter | Opinion

My trans daughter, Becky Pepper-Jackson, wanted to play the sport she loves. That simple wish took her all the way to the Supreme Court.

usatoday.com

The Trump admin is currently using every tool in its toolbelt to restrict gender-affirming care access. With attacks coming from all angles, it can be hard to keep up. Read the article below to learn some of the ways the federal government is pushing to restrict care: buff.ly/Mt6Egdr

Tracking Interruptions in Care for Trans Adults - Campaign for Southern Equality

Are you a transgender adult who has experienced an interruption in your healthcare in recent months? We want to hear about it. At the Campaign for Southern Equality, we believe that healthcare is a…

southernequality.org

We LOVE when elected leaders put real resources behind trans healthcare access! In New York City, Zohran Mamdani's office has announced a 15 million dollar investment in gender-affirming care. We are excited to see this program launch and to see what comes next. Read more: buff.ly/vbxdcta

In states across the country and at the federal level, lawmakers are pushing policies that make life dangerous for incarcerated transgender people. Even in states without anti-trans policies, many transgender people are treated inhumanely behind bars. Read more: buff.ly/61ZPxhg

Trans People Behind Bars Face Great Risks. Prison Officials Are Making It Worse.

Even state-level legal protections for trans people have not always extended to those behind bars.

truthout.org

Thanks to all who participated in our 2026 Pride sticker design contest, and congratulations to Violet for designing the winning sticker 😍 Anyone who donates $10 or more before July 31st will receive this sticker in the mail – donate now to get yours 💌 buff.ly/uHGmuO5

It's summer camp season! We are proud to uplift summer camps in the South that create safe and fun spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. Scroll through to learn about these amazing camps and how you can sign your child up!