AIDS Foundation Chicago and Pride Action Tank are proud to stand in solidarity with Brave Space Alliance, Life is Work, TaskForce Prevention & Community Services, and over 20 community organizations across Illinois to push back on the hate and attempted erasure of trans and gender expansive communities by President Donald Trump, his administration, and Congressional Republicans.
Since his second inauguration, President Trump and his administration have repeatedly advanced efforts to devalue and dehumanize trans and gender expansive communities through a litany of harmful executive orders. From restricting access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth and banning trans Americans from military service to state-sanctioned discrimination against trans employees, the Trump administration’s full assault has been an all-systems go attempt to deny the right of trans and gender expansive folks to exist in America. Instead of valuing the rights and dignity of all people to live out their lives on their own terms, President Trump repeatedly traffics in fearmongering and derisive contempt. We categorically reject the Trump administration’s attempts to deny trans and gender expansive communities the fullness of their humanity and the agency to determine their own lives. Trans and gender expansive folks have helped pen the American story since its inception and no number of executive orders will change that—not now, not ever.
Not to be outdone by the heinous and cruel attacks from the White House, House Republicans recently passed legislation that would prohibit the coverage of medically necessary and evidence-based gender-affirming healthcare for trans people of all ages. And if that wasn’t enough, Congressional Republicans also included more than $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food assistance. According to the Williams Institute, 21% of trans adults rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs. Without question, this targeted attack is aimed at stripping away life-saving care from those who already reside at the margins of society. But just as our community did at Stonewall, during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, and the fight for marriage equality, we will STAND UP and FIGHT BACK to stop the not so “big, beautiful bill” from making its way through the U.S. Senate!
Acclaimed Black queer writer and activist Audre Lorde once said, “without community, there is no liberation.” With community as our North Star, we are committed to supporting and advocating for transgender and gender expansive folks. We write today as a unified movement where we boldly speak truth to power and where respect, decency, and uplifting our shared humanity are our core values. Unafraid and unapologetic, we stand against discriminatory legislation and executive orders that endanger the health and well-being of trans and gender expansive communities to live and thrive. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder to speak out against the hateful actions of the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans towards trans and gender expansive communities. We stand united to do this work together for LGBTQ+ communities—especially Black and brown folks, those living with and vulnerable to HIV, those returning home after incarceration, and those facing poverty and homelessness.
It’s what our communities expect. It’s what our communities demand. It’s what our communities deserve.
Signed,
Affinity Community Services
Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action
Center on Halsted
Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
Chicago Therapy Collective
Equality Illinois
Golden Rainbows of Illinois South (GRIS)
Greater Community AIDS Project of East Central Illinois
Howard Brown Health
Legal Council for Health Justice
Peoria Proud
Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action
Planned Parenthood Illinois Action
Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center
Rainbow Community Health & Wellness
Southern Illinois Pride Collective
The Pinta Pride Project/BG Pride
The Project of the Quad Cities
Trans Up Front IL
Woodstock Pride
Brave Space Alliance (BSA) is a Black trans-led LGBTQ+ Center on the South Side of Chicago that creates and provides affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ+ community of Chicago.
Life Is Work is a trans-led organization that educates, empowers, and organizes TLGBQ+ people from diverse backgrounds to secure safety, wellness, and justice for all.
TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is a grassroots organization committed to improving the sexual health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth of color in Chicago by providing a safe space for fellowship, HIV/STI screening and education, and on-site referrals to medical, housing, and other social services.
AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions.
Pride Action Tank is a project incubator and think tank that is focused on action that leads to improved outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQ+ communities in the Chicago region through a collective process of inquiry, advocacy and action. Pride Action Tank is a project of AIDS Foundation Chicago.
