1. Images of six drag performers of various genders and ethnicities frame text that reads, "Fighting the Texas Draf Ban." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner in white. 2. "Drag permeates Texas history and culture. By targeting drag, S.B. 12 [ The Texas Drag Ban] attacks trans communities and core First Amendment values." 3. "'When drag performers have a mic in their hands, they have the ability to tell community where to get HIV testing, where to get hormone care, mental health care.' Verniss McFarland III, Amici" 4. "'When kids see drag performances, it helps "teach literacy and acceptance" and "de-vilifies" drag.' Jay Thomas aka Bobby Pudrido, Amici" 5. "'Making yourself look exactly the way you want to look is very liberating...people envy the freedom that drag gives, but there's no one stopping them from being free in their own expression too.' Pidge Stanley aka Pyro, Amici" 6. "'[The Texas Drag Ban] is "going to affect the trans community, especially drag queens, because they have it even harder when it comes to simple things like housing and finding a job.' Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, Amici"]
1. Images of six drag performers of various genders and ethnicities frame text that reads, "Fighting the Texas Draf Ban." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner in white. 2. "Drag permeates Texas history and culture. By targeting drag, S.B. 12 [ The Texas Drag Ban] attacks trans communities and core First Amendment values." 3. "'When drag performers have a mic in their hands, they have the ability to tell community where to get HIV testing, where to get hormone care, mental health care.' Verniss McFarland III, Amici" 4. "'When kids see drag performances, it helps "teach literacy and acceptance" and "de-vilifies" drag.' Jay Thomas aka Bobby Pudrido, Amici" 5. "'Making yourself look exactly the way you want to look is very liberating...people envy the freedom that drag gives, but there's no one stopping them from being free in their own expression too.' Pidge Stanley aka Pyro, Amici" 6. "'[The Texas Drag Ban] is "going to affect the trans community, especially drag queens, because they have it even harder when it comes to simple things like housing and finding a job.' Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, Amici"]
1. Images of six drag performers of various genders and ethnicities frame text that reads, "Fighting the Texas Draf Ban." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner in white. 2. "Drag permeates Texas history and culture. By targeting drag, S.B. 12 [ The Texas Drag Ban] attacks trans communities and core First Amendment values." 3. "'When drag performers have a mic in their hands, they have the ability to tell community where to get HIV testing, where to get hormone care, mental health care.' Verniss McFarland III, Amici" 4. "'When kids see drag performances, it helps "teach literacy and acceptance" and "de-vilifies" drag.' Jay Thomas aka Bobby Pudrido, Amici" 5. "'Making yourself look exactly the way you want to look is very liberating...people envy the freedom that drag gives, but there's no one stopping them from being free in their own expression too.' Pidge Stanley aka Pyro, Amici" 6. "'[The Texas Drag Ban] is "going to affect the trans community, especially drag queens, because they have it even harder when it comes to simple things like housing and finding a job.' Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, Amici"]
1. Images of six drag performers of various genders and ethnicities frame text that reads, "Fighting the Texas Draf Ban." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner in white. 2. "Drag permeates Texas history and culture. By targeting drag, S.B. 12 [ The Texas Drag Ban] attacks trans communities and core First Amendment values." 3. "'When drag performers have a mic in their hands, they have the ability to tell community where to get HIV testing, where to get hormone care, mental health care.' Verniss McFarland III, Amici" 4. "'When kids see drag performances, it helps "teach literacy and acceptance" and "de-vilifies" drag.' Jay Thomas aka Bobby Pudrido, Amici" 5. "'Making yourself look exactly the way you want to look is very liberating...people envy the freedom that drag gives, but there's no one stopping them from being free in their own expression too.' Pidge Stanley aka Pyro, Amici" 6. "'[The Texas Drag Ban] is "going to affect the trans community, especially drag queens, because they have it even harder when it comes to simple things like housing and finding a job.' Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, Amici"]
1. Images of six drag performers of various genders and ethnicities frame text that reads, "Fighting the Texas Draf Ban." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner in white. 2. "Drag permeates Texas history and culture. By targeting drag, S.B. 12 [ The Texas Drag Ban] attacks trans communities and core First Amendment values." 3. "'When drag performers have a mic in their hands, they have the ability to tell community where to get HIV testing, where to get hormone care, mental health care.' Verniss McFarland III, Amici" 4. "'When kids see drag performances, it helps "teach literacy and acceptance" and "de-vilifies" drag.' Jay Thomas aka Bobby Pudrido, Amici" 5. "'Making yourself look exactly the way you want to look is very liberating...people envy the freedom that drag gives, but there's no one stopping them from being free in their own expression too.' Pidge Stanley aka Pyro, Amici" 6. "'[The Texas Drag Ban] is "going to affect the trans community, especially drag queens, because they have it even harder when it comes to simple things like housing and finding a job.' Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, Amici"]
1. Images of six drag performers of various genders and ethnicities frame text that reads, "Fighting the Texas Draf Ban." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner in white. 2. "Drag permeates Texas history and culture. By targeting drag, S.B. 12 [ The Texas Drag Ban] attacks trans communities and core First Amendment values." 3. "'When drag performers have a mic in their hands, they have the ability to tell community where to get HIV testing, where to get hormone care, mental health care.' Verniss McFarland III, Amici" 4. "'When kids see drag performances, it helps "teach literacy and acceptance" and "de-vilifies" drag.' Jay Thomas aka Bobby Pudrido, Amici" 5. "'Making yourself look exactly the way you want to look is very liberating...people envy the freedom that drag gives, but there's no one stopping them from being free in their own expression too.' Pidge Stanley aka Pyro, Amici" 6. "'[The Texas Drag Ban] is "going to affect the trans community, especially drag queens, because they have it even harder when it comes to simple things like housing and finding a job.' Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, Amici"]
Moving forward, you'll find us over at @transequalitynow-- follow along to stay up-to-date. It's been a long time coming and we at TLDEF are incredibly excited to join forces with the National Center for Transgender Equality. Cheers to our new era as A4TE! [ID: Pink text against a yellow duotone background reads, "It's Official! TLDEF and NCTE are now A4TE. Advocates for Trans Equality. Follow us at @transequalitynow." The A4TE logo appears in the bottom right corner.]
rious about how our Lobby Day went? Take a look! Thank you to everyone who joined us and a huge shoutout to our team for making this happen! #TransDayOfEmpowerment #TransRights #LGBTQIA [image description: 1-4. Various members of A4TE staff join together on Capitol Hill for a press conference with Senator Merkley]
rious about how our Lobby Day went? Take a look! Thank you to everyone who joined us and a huge shoutout to our team for making this happen! #TransDayOfEmpowerment #TransRights #LGBTQIA [image description: 1-4. Various members of A4TE staff join together on Capitol Hill for a press conference with Senator Merkley]
rious about how our Lobby Day went? Take a look! Thank you to everyone who joined us and a huge shoutout to our team for making this happen! #TransDayOfEmpowerment #TransRights #LGBTQIA [image description: 1-4. Various members of A4TE staff join together on Capitol Hill for a press conference with Senator Merkley]
rious about how our Lobby Day went? Take a look! Thank you to everyone who joined us and a huge shoutout to our team for making this happen! #TransDayOfEmpowerment #TransRights #LGBTQIA [image description: 1-4. Various members of A4TE staff join together on Capitol Hill for a press conference with Senator Merkley]
e battle for trans rights isn't restricted to states--it's a national issue. That's why today Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) is on Capital Hill hosting our first lobby day, Trans Day of Empowerment! #TransDayOfEmpowerment brings together over 70 trans advocates, allies, and community members from across the U.S. to speak to our elected representatives. Why? Because the quality of our lives matter. In 2023 alone, we fought over 500 proposed anti-LGBTQIA+ bills alongside allies, with over 450 of those bills specifically targeting trans people. Now in 2024, A4TE is tracking over 400+ anti-trans bills in state legislatures across the country. Join us as we urge Congress and the White House to ensure comprehensive protections for trans people. And remember, when we fight, we win. #LGBTQ #TransRights #TransEquality [image description: 1. Text that reads, " ... 'it's urgent that our elected officials on Capitol Hill hear directly from their trans constituents about the protections our community desperately needs.' --Caius Willingham, Senior Policy Advocate" appears against a magenta background. A magenta A4TE logo sits in the bottom left corner. 2. A diverse group of trans advocates smile confidently at the camera while standing in front of the U.S. capitol.]
e battle for trans rights isn't restricted to states--it's a national issue. That's why today Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) is on Capital Hill hosting our first lobby day, Trans Day of Empowerment! #TransDayOfEmpowerment brings together over 70 trans advocates, allies, and community members from across the U.S. to speak to our elected representatives. Why? Because the quality of our lives matter. In 2023 alone, we fought over 500 proposed anti-LGBTQIA+ bills alongside allies, with over 450 of those bills specifically targeting trans people. Now in 2024, A4TE is tracking over 400+ anti-trans bills in state legislatures across the country. Join us as we urge Congress and the White House to ensure comprehensive protections for trans people. And remember, when we fight, we win. #LGBTQ #TransRights #TransEquality [image description: 1. Text that reads, " ... 'it's urgent that our elected officials on Capitol Hill hear directly from their trans constituents about the protections our community desperately needs.' --Caius Willingham, Senior Policy Advocate" appears against a magenta background. A magenta A4TE logo sits in the bottom left corner. 2. A diverse group of trans advocates smile confidently at the camera while standing in front of the U.S. capitol.]
1. "Asian American and Trans-Led" appears in pink against a pink duotone background of a trans Asian person holding up the trans pride flag 2. A picture of Andy Marra sits in the bottom left of the image. Above that reads, "There is a rich legacy--specifically in trans communities--where trans leaders of color have had the audacity and the hope to advance a brighter future. --Andrea 'Andy' Hong Marra, CEO" 3. Light pink text appears in front of a pink background reading, "AAPI Trans community, we see you and we fight alongside you. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." The A4TE logo sits at the bottom of each graphic.]
1. "Asian American and Trans-Led" appears in pink against a pink duotone background of a trans Asian person holding up the trans pride flag 2. A picture of Andy Marra sits in the bottom left of the image. Above that reads, "There is a rich legacy--specifically in trans communities--where trans leaders of color have had the audacity and the hope to advance a brighter future. --Andrea 'Andy' Hong Marra, CEO" 3. Light pink text appears in front of a pink background reading, "AAPI Trans community, we see you and we fight alongside you. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." The A4TE logo sits at the bottom of each graphic.]