Dear Friends,

Last week, we came together in the spirit of unity, resistance and purpose. At Equality in Action, hundreds of HRC members, volunteers, board leaders and staff gathered in Washington, D.C., to connect, strategize and organize. We left with more than renewed energy — we left with a mandate to act.

This week, that mandate meets the moment. The Equality Act — a long-overdue piece of civil rights legislation — has been officially reintroduced in Congress. And make no mistake: this is our movement’s next defining test.

The reintroduction of the Equality Act by Congressman Mark Takano and Senators Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin and Cory Booker is more than a legislative milestone. It’s a renewed call to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in every area of life — housing, education, public accommodations, credit, jury service and access to federally funded programs.

Right now, in nearly 30 states, LGBTQ+ people are still vulnerable to being fired, evicted, denied service or refused care simply because of who they are. That isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous. HRC is proud to stand with more than 600 local, state and national organizations and put out this statement in partnership with 11 of the country’s leading civil rights organizations — including the ACLU, NBJC, Family Equality, Equality Federation, GLSEN, GLAD and more — to demand its passage.

We know the stakes are high. Since the start of the Trump-Vance administration, we’ve seen a ruthless campaign to unravel LGBTQ+ rights. Transgender youth are being stripped of health care, banned from school sports and censored in classrooms. In Iowa, existing protections for trans people were repealed. In states like Michigan and Idaho, extremist lawmakers are calling on the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell and roll back marriage equality.

At the federal level, the Department of Health and Human Services — under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — has released a government report attacking best-practice medical care for trans youth. In doing so, it has laid the groundwork for legitimizing a new wave of conversion therapy, rebranded as “gender exploratory therapy.” These efforts are dangerous, discriminatory and part of a broader pattern of harm.

And yet, we remain undeterred.

Because we’ve seen what our community can do when we stand together. Over the past 100 days, we issued a challenge to our members and supporters: take 100,000 actions in defense of LGBTQ+ rights. You blew past that goal — tripling it, with more than 350,000 actions taken across the country.

Our movement isn’t hypothetical. It’s happening — in every phone call, every letter to Congress, every protest and every organizing conversation. And it’s working.

The American people are with us. More than 75% of voters — including majorities of Republicans and independents — support the Equality Act. The momentum is real.

But momentum alone isn’t enough. It must be matched with movement. And that’s where you come in.

Contact your lawmakers. Tell your story. Mobilize your community. The Equality Act isn’t just a bill — it’s a declaration. That in the United States of America, no one should have to hide who they are to keep their job, their home or their safety.

We are strongest when we fight for each other. This is that fight. And HRC is here, alongside all of you, ready to see it through.

Talking Points & Actions:

Attacks on LGBTQ+ Health. The new administration has undertaken a coordinated, systematic rollback of medical and scientific research, key public health programs, our ability to access certain types of healthcare and legal protections and policy frameworks meant to support LGBTQ+ people. Read more in HRC’s new issue brief.

Conversion Therapy, Rebranded. The Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary RFK Jr. released a government report that falsely discredits established best-practice medical care for transgender young people, and lays the groundwork to argue for harmful conversion therapy that they have rebranded "gender exploratory therapy.” Take action with HRC.

Are You an Icon? The HRC Shop released our Icon Logo T-Shirt Collection, featuring HRC’s iconic logo in 11 colors inspired by the Pride flag. Pick your favorite color or collect them all. Wear it at a parade or a protest, because visibility matters. Get yours today.

Dear Friends,

This week, HRC continued to stand strong, showing what it means to fight back, build power and claim victory. Whether in courtrooms, classrooms or statehouses, we are pushing forward — no matter the obstacles.

As always, thank you for your resilience and your unwavering commitment to equality. Here’s a look at how we fought back this week.

The fight for trans rights took a tough hit this week. In a deeply disappointing decision, a divided Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration’s discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers to take immediate effect.

This ruling means that brave trans patriots — who are highly qualified, meticulously trained and have already served their country with honor — could now be forced out of the military simply because of who they are. It’s unjust; it’s harmful, and it goes against the very principles of fairness and equality we stand for.

But make no mistake — we are far from done fighting. The case Shilling v. Trump — brought by the HRC Foundation and Lambda Legal — is still moving forward. We are determined to challenge this policy until every transgender servicemember is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Now more than ever, we need the strength of our community. Please make an emergency gift to HRC now. Help provide the resources necessary for the legal and legislative challenges ahead.

We will keep pushing. We will keep fighting. Because that’s who we are.

While we faced challenges on the national front, we also made incredible strides toward safety and inclusion in our schools. On Tuesday, HRC Foundation released the Welcoming Schools Annual Report for fiscal year 2025 — and the numbers are inspiring.

Over the past year, Welcoming Schools trained 8,000 educators across 17 states, impacting nearly half a million students. This is what progress looks like — creating classrooms where LGBTQ+ kids can feel safe, affirmed, and valued.

From anti-bullying initiatives to comprehensive diversity training, we are equipping educators with the tools to make their schools welcoming spaces for every student. Our work in schools isn’t just about policy — it’s about changing lives.

We know that safe learning environments are essential to our young people’s ability to thrive. As attacks on inclusive education ramp up, our commitment to building affirming schools is stronger than ever.

Take a moment to read the full report and share it with parents, teachers and community members in your networks. Together, we can ensure that every child has a safe place to learn and grow.

This week also brought a hard-fought victory for the children of Maine. Governor Janet Mills stood firm against the administration’s attempt to cut funding for the state’s school lunch program — one that feeds 172,000 kids.

When confronted by the president at the White House, Gov. Mills didn’t back down. She boldly declared, “I’ll see you in court.” And she did — and she won. This victory means that thousands of kids across Maine will continue to receive the meals they depend on.

Gov. Mills’ courage is a powerful reminder of what leadership looks like — standing up for those who need it most, even when the odds seem stacked against you. As she said during her press conference, “When they come for our children, we will not stay silent.”

This is the kind of leadership we need at every level. We’re proud to stand with Gov. Mills and celebrate this critical win for kids and families. Watch her press conference and share this story to spread the message that when we fight back, we can win.

This week was a reminder of both the challenges we face and the power we hold when we stand together. Whether confronting injustice in the courts or building inclusive spaces in schools, we are proving that love and resilience will always outlast hate.

As we move forward, let’s remember that progress is often a journey through setbacks and successes. What matters most is that we keep showing up — for each other, for our communities and for the world we’re fighting to build.

Thank you for your dedication and your passion.

Talking Points & Actions:

SCOTUS Watch. This week, a divided Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration’s discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers to take immediate effect, while Shilling v. Trump — HRCF and Lambda Legal’s lawsuit against the executive order — proceeds. Read more about the order and make an emergency donation to support HRC’s vital work.

Creating Safe Schools. On Tuesday, HRCF released the Welcoming Schools Annual Report for fiscal year 2025, when the program trained 8,000 educators across 17 states, reaching nearly half a million students. Read more about Welcoming Schools and share with parents in your networks.

Gov. Mills Celebrates. Maine Gov. Janet Mills declared victory this week, saying, “I stood in the White House and when confronted by the president of the United States, I told him I’d see him in court. Well, I did see him in court and we won.” The administration will now restore funding for Maine’s school lunch program, which feeds 172,000 children. Read more and watch Gov. Mills’ press conference.

Dear Friends,

What a full week it's been! I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting developments and important updates as we continue our push for equality on multiple fronts.

This week, anti-equality lawmakers released the text of their GOP-led reconciliation bill — and it’s as dangerous as it is dishonest. The proposal would gut critical programs that millions of Americans rely on, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. But this isn’t just a budget debate — it’s a targeted assault on our community.

If passed, this bill would disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ people — especially those who are low-income, living with HIV or facing food insecurity. It even includes provisions to block federal funding for medically necessary care for transgender people. This is cruelty codified. And we’re fighting it with everything we’ve got.

Our advocacy and campaigns teams are mobilized, our coalition partners are unified, and the public is with us. But we need to stay sharp, stay loud and stay connected, because the stakes for our community could not be higher.

In the midst of these challenges, we’re also making powerful strides.

LGBTQ+ people should never fear for their safety — but all too often, as we age, we feel pressure to go back into the closet. To hide who we are. To erase who we love. That’s unacceptable.

That’s why several years ago, the HRC Foundation and SAGE partnered to develop the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI). This groundbreaking tool is already making waves in senior care communities across the country. The LEI shines a spotlight on facilities that champion LGBTQ+ inclusion and provides a clear roadmap for others to follow suit — so that every LGBTQ+ elder can age with the dignity, respect, and affirmation they deserve.

Our resource hub is packed with practical tools — from the biennial survey to our popular webinar series and one-on-one technical assistance calls. These resources are helping care providers create environments where our LGBTQ+ elders receive the culturally competent care they deserve. Make no mistake: everyone deserves dignity and respect in their golden years, regardless of who they are or whom they love.

This week, we also launched Equidad CL, our workplace equality initiative focused on Chile. The enthusiasm from regional partners has been incredible! The stories coming from employees affected by these workplace changes are genuinely moving — from people finally feeling safe bringing family photos to work to companies implementing their first-ever transgender-inclusive policies. These ripple effects demonstrate how workplace changes can transform entire communities.

Alarming news broke this week as we learned of planned cuts to eliminate crucial mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. More than 100 Congressional Democrats have signed a letter urging HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to scrap these dangerous cuts, which would devastate a vital resource for some of our most vulnerable young people.

The stakes couldn't be higher — since its inception, the lifeline has fielded over 13 million calls, texts, and chats, with about 1.2 million directed to its LGBTQ+ Youth Hotline. These services are literally saving lives, as LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

This development is particularly troubling as it comes amid a spike in mental health challenges facing our community. We're mobilizing quickly with coalition partners to fight these cuts scheduled for October 1, and we'll need all hands on deck for this battle.

Looking back at this week, I'm reminded that our journey involves both difficult setbacks and meaningful victories. Each obstacle we encounter only deepens our commitment to creating a world where every person can live freely and authentically.

Thanks for everything you do to make this work possible. Let's keep pushing forward together!

Talking Points & Actions:

LEI 2025. Everyone deserves dignity and respect in their golden years, no matter who they are or who they love. This week, HRC and our partners at SAGE released our Long-Term Care Equality Index 2025 — the groundbreaking tool that spotlights facilities championing LGBTQ+ inclusion. Share it with your loved ones.

Equidad Cl 2025. HRC expanded our workplace equality efforts in Latin America this week with the release of Equidad Cl 2025, Chile’s leading benchmarking tool for evaluating corporate policies and practices in support of LGBTI+ workplace inclusion. Share it with your colleagues.

Reconciling Discrimination. Anti-equality lawmakers in Congress released the text of their GOP-led reconciliation bill, detailing how they would slash programs that millions of people rely on, to bankroll tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. Share it with your neighbors.