It's Time to Start Breaking the Law
What calculated risks are you willing to take for trans rights?
Friends,
Hey! This is your trans joy bot, KB Brookins. It’s been a minute (exactly two weeks) since we last spoke. How you doin’?
Anyway, since this is capturing stuff from the last 2 weeks, I’ve got a lot of good news for you. Onto the video!
Trans News That Doesn’t Suck: The Video
The University of Wisconsin Speech and Heading Clinic provides trans people with gender affirming speech therapy!
This is an often overlooked but important form of gender affirming care. Shout out to them for doing this for decades and continuing to — despite the misinformation ailing these digital streets.
Now, onto the list!
Trans News That Doesn’t Suck: The List
In a wild turn of events, U.S. Senate Republicans abandoned their efforts to ban federal Medicaid funding of gender-affirming care. The language redefining ‘sex’ has also been removed.
Thank you to all the activists and senators that made this happen. Given that the “Big Beautiful Bill" targeted MANY different communities, please keep your eyes on this.
Trump demanded a full ban on trans athletes in California; the California Superintendent of Education said no.
Cali still has a ways to go re: trans inclusion, but thank you to the judges standing up for trans people — especially in the face of this bully we call President with lots of power.
To the judges, politicians, and other individuals that have been mute: do something!
Trans U.S. citizens can now get their passports updated with the correct name & gender marker.
If you’re interested in this, please keep in mind that the government is collecting data on these changes, and you need to do it ASAP.
New Yorker Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic NYC mayoral bid — while being a LOUD supporter of trans rights. What I mean is the man has a platform for how he will support trans New Yorkers, AND he’s not taking money from anti-trans people.
Also: stop seeing trans issues as “too controversial” or “not unifying” (f*ck the Taylor, Texas mayor that said this); they’re not if you are brave, patient enough to educate, are comfortable with an uncomfortable conversation (or two). Believing in something means you believe in it AND stand up for it even when it’s hard.
NTERNATIONAL: 200,000 people marched in Budapest Pride. This is after Hungary attempted to ban Pride celebrations altogether; shout out to all the folks who showed up and were courageous enough to defy the ban. Shout out also to the mayor for leading the march!
This brings me to my next point: It’s time to start breaking the law. History and the present has shown us countless times that “legal” does not equal right. We’ve got to show these bullies with gavels that we are not powerless in the face of their misinformation and hate.
Readers (especially cis ones): what calculated risks are you willing to take for trans rights? Are you willing to inconvenience yourself for your beliefs?
North Carolina governor Josh Stein vetoed anti-trans and DEI bills. He also called them “mean-spirited.”
INTERNATIONAL: A judge in Alberta (Canada) has temporarily blocked the province’s proposed restrictions on transgender health care for minors.
The creators of an award-winning TV show about a trans youngster are releasing the entire series for free, five years after it first aired in the UK.
Back to New York: Trump removed trans flags from the Stonewall National Monument, and New Yorkers retaliated.
INTERNATIONAL: A German Chess Federation defended a trans girl amid backlash.
The largest trans survey ever has proved it: the top reason trans people stop transitioning it transphobia. Not because they regret transitioning, or any other reason the GOP likes to make up. People stop transitioning because their family, friends, or community aren’t supportive. Readers (especially cis ones): spread this wide.
Two Black trans women are leading Chicago through this defiance and community-building.
An NYC brewery is giving money directly to trans people.
Pansexual pop-punk singer Yungblud says that he wants to use his platform to uplift trans people. Other celebs: take note! Non-celebs: ask your favs to do this!
INTERNATIONAL: An independent cinema has acquired a trans ‘third-space’ toilet installation as part of its protest against transphobia in the UK.
Wimbledon Tennis legend and lesbian icon Billie Jean King has urged people to listen to trans people.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is a hypocrite.
INTERNATIONAL: Japanese trans actress Maki Carrousel made history by winning Best Supporting Performance at the 79th Mainichi Film Awards.
With trans rights under siege, a new PAC is stepping up to support lawmakers who refuse to back down.
Rapper, playwright, and poet Kae Tempest has reflected on coming out as a trans man, saying he can “actually exist” in his body now.
That’s all this week! What a beautiful week for trans people :)
What did I miss? What are you doing to support trans rights this week? Let me know in the comments.
Till next time,
KB
Thank you for continuing to share these glimmers of good news! The community needs it in these difficult times. 🩷🏳️⚧️
Adding the film Maki Carrousel's in (Voice) to my to watch list!