On Anti-LGBTQ2S+ Legislation
A message from the Team at Kindman & Co.
Queerness is beautiful. It is creative. It builds community. It is life-affirming and full of joy. It must be protected.
At this moment a new wave of anti-LGBTQ2S+ legislation is taking place in nearly every state of the United States [link 1] [link 2]. These 400+ bills have an enormous and dangerous impact on a vulnerable and diverse population. From outlawing drag performance to criminalizing gender-affirming care to promoting the separation of loving, trans-inclusive families, to the erasure of queerness from public discourse, and many similarly violent legislative efforts, the rights and lives of queer people and families are under attack.
Through our unique backgrounds and experience as mental health professionals, we know the insidious impact of a society that does not protect the identities of its members. We also recognize the role that our field has historically and continues to play in perpetuating that harm, specifically against trans and nonbinary people, queer people, and people of color. We collectively condemn all anti-LGBTQ2S+ legislation, as well as the hatred and ignorance that fuel it.
A just society does not question the existence or validity of LGBTQ2S+ identity. These bills have and will continue to negatively impact the mental health, physical health, livelihoods, safety, and basic human rights of a vibrant, diverse, and important part of every single community in the country. We as mental health professionals, queer folks, and allies want to voice our support, urge those in communities where queerness is protected to speak up, and empower those who can to leverage their privilege in support of your queer neighbors.
Following is a non-exhaustive list of resources for LGBTQ+ folks and allies seeking support and information.
resources if you need direct support:
Trans Lifeline - 1-877-565-8860 - *no nonconsensual active rescue*
A peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers
Availability: 24/7, call only
BlackLine - 1-800-604-5841
A space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens
Availability: 24/7, call or text
DeQH (Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline for South Asians) - 1-908-367-3374
Free, confidential, culturally sensitive peer support, information and resources for LGBTQ+ South Asian individuals, families and friends around the globe
Availability: Thursdays 8-10pm EST & Sundays 8-10pm EST, call only
SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline - 1-877-360-LGBT(5428)
Connects LGBTQ+ older people who want to talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen
Availability: 24/7, call only
The Trevor Project - 1-866-488-7386 (or text: 678-678)
24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people via text, chat or call.
UCLA Health program promoting wellbeing & Resilience in the LGBTQ+ population.
Links families and clients to mental health services with experience and training serving the LGBTQ+ community
Provider offering health and mental health services, social services, housing services, and community leadership and advocacy.
The Trans* Lounge: LA LGBT Center program for social connection and support, serving the TGI/ENBY+ communities, with support groups, social networking opportunities, and a wide variety of workshops.
Comprehensive resources and services for the transgender and non-binary community of Los Angeles, including medical and sexual health services, youth services, social support groups, mental health services, legal services, housing resources, employment services, benefits enrollment, computer lab, clothing closet, and community based research.
legal resources
Williams Institute at UCLA Law
Research center at the UCLA school of Law focused on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.
Transgender Law Center - 510-587-9696 (collect line for people in prison and detention: 510-380-8229)
National trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Legal resources, organizing and movement-building.
Legal resource guide covering the right of trans youth across a wide variety of situations including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work.
National Center for Transgender Equality
Legal information, organizing, and legal services directory pointing to resources in all regions and most of the 50 states.
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (800-896-3202)
Free legal help to low-income Angelenos, including help accessing gender affirming care, as well as housing issues, wage and employment issues, veteran and welfare benefits access, visa help, and other health related legal issues.
resources so you can learn, lend support, & be an ally:
Trevor Project Guide on Being an Ally to Trans and Non-binary Youth
American Civil Liberties Union on LGBTQ rights
National LGBTQ+ Health Education Center
Programs, resources, and consultation to healthcare organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for all sexual and gender minority people.
L.A. based family support group creating a positive environment for children, adolescents and their families to explore issues of gender identity.
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
Advocacy organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
A practical resource dedicated to the empowering and inclusive use of personal pronouns in the English language. This website will help you understand why and how to use the pronouns someone goes by.
LGBTQ+ media organization advocating to increase media accountability and community engagement and ensure that authentic LGBTQ+ stories are seen, heard, and actualized.
Serving to guide transgender/non-binary youth and their families through the gender transitioning process to help make it the most positive experience possible.
Tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis
Learn about national and state-level anti-trans legislation, learn who your representatives are, where they stand on these issues, and hold them accountable.
Mission is to “is to advocate for the specific needs of the Trans Latin@ community that resides in the U.S.A. and to plan strategies that improve our quality of life”
As a practice of social-justice forward therapists, we believe that therapy is political. We affirm and support the identities of our clients and support our clients in the effort to bring positive change out into the community. If you would like to pursue this work with any of us at Kindman & Co. please reach out because in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
*This message was authored by Steve, with contributions from Taylor. Thanks to all the other contributors who also participated through conversation and citing resources.
Steve Wilson is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, a queer man, and a feminist. He loves working with young adults navigating adulthood, folks healing from racial trauma and minority stress, and couples/partners. He is especially drawn to working with adolescents and young adults embracing queerness. He deeply and personally understand the complexities of queer experience and want to help other queer individuals and partners, parents of queer and trans youth, and those practicing consensual non-monogamy (CNM) to build thriving, connected, & healing relationships.
Fun facts are that Steve has been a teacher, tutor, publicist, recruiter, bookseller, cabinetmaker, and a zip-line tour guide!
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