To Our Global LGBTQ+ Community,
All of us at Love Your Labels would like to take a moment to send out love and support to the LGBTQ+ communities of Texas, Florida, and across our nation. The fight for equitable and equal rights for Queer and Trans families has been a long and challenging one, and the events that have occurred over the past few months are a painful reminder that we still have so far to go to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our Queer and Trans children.
If you have not taken the time to learn about the current challenges facing the Transgender community, there has been a recent directive by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that instructed state agencies to investigate families who provide gender-affirming treatments to their children and to “refer for prosecution any such abuse”. More on this can be found in the Washington Post article, "‘These are powerful people who are attacking children’: Parents respond to Texas’s latest anti-trans directive" (March 1, 2022).
A Florida Senate committee in February 2022 passed the Parental Rights in Education bill — known to its critics as “Don’t Say Gay”, which then advanced to the Florida House and passed by a vote of 69-47. The controversial legislation now moves to the Senate floor for a vote. Under the bill, educators would not be allowed to speak to primary school students about certain LGBTQ+ topics that are not considered “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” The Hill Article “Florida 'Don't Say Gay' bill passes final Senate committee The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a vote." (Feb. 28, 2022)
To the many trans, nonbinary, and questioning youth in Texas and across the country, please know that we see you and we love you.
You are valid and worthy just as you are. You are caught up in a political fight fueled by bigotry and fear that is not your fault and not a result of anything wrong you are doing. You are a beautiful human deserving of love, respect, and support from your family, friends, and your entire community. If you have family and supporters in your corner, we’re happy for you and also know this is difficult no matter what. If you feel like you don’t have support surrounding you, please know that it will not always be this way. One of the most amazing parts of being part of the LGBTQ+ community is that we get to choose our family. We get to build supportive, loving, affirming relationships with others and that is a powerful act of resistance against bigotry and hate.
To the many families who have been brave to support their trans children:
Please know that we stand with you and recognize what an amazing and wonderful light you bring to your children's lives. We recognize how long you have probably agonized over what the right choices are to make with your kids and how many nights you have stayed up worrying hoping that they feel safe and loved; the articles you’ve read and professionals you’ve consulted to ensure that you are making the right decisions. To have your love for your children brought into question and categorized as abusive must be devastating. We know your children desperately need a parent who is supportive and affirming and want to applaud you for helping ensure we are all moving towards inclusion in our communities. Providing gender-affirming care and support for your trans teen is an immense act of love, and we support you.
To suggest that gender-affirming support and care for trans youth is abusive is not only wrong, but it is dangerous and a direct threat to the safety of these children and their families. Research has shown over and over again that early support of trans youth saves lives. Period.
The most recent studies conducted by the American Medical Association indicate that trans youth who received puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or both were 60% less likely to report being depressed, and 73% less likely to report suicidality (Them Online Magazine) Politics has no place in making medical and mental health decisions. Families should not have to choose between their child’s life and their family's safety—ever.
To our beautiful LGBTQ+ community and allies across the nation, it continues to be so important that we stay educated and involved in advocacy efforts. We cannot be silent. We cannot allow harmful ideas and fear to threaten our kids. Every little bit of action helps; Tell an LGBTQ+ young person that you love them. Write letters. Call your representatives. Speak up in local discussions. Demand transparency from our schools, organizations, and businesses in how their policies affirm and support LGBTQ+ youth. Confront transphobic family members. Support local queer business owners. Lift up queer voices and stories. Show kindness to each other.
VOTE, advocate, march, BE LOUD. Our kids need us. Our community needs us. Our world needs us.
As an organization based in Massachusetts, we recognize that our Queer and Trans siblings and their families need our support—both our advocacy and our dollars. Please check out these resources in communities fighting against hateful legislation and consider donating to these efforts: Equality Texas, Central Texas Transgender Health Coalition, The Alliance for GLBTQ Youth, Orlando LGBTQ+ Center | Mission & Impact | Zebra Coalition
Keep fighting. You have love, science, and strength on your side.
In Love and Solidarity,
The Love Your Labels Board of Directors