October is LGBTQ+ History Month
The story of LGBTQ+ history is one of relentless activism and social change, a narrative of people fighting for their dignity and freedom in the face of immense adversity. From the Stonewall Uprising to the fight for marriage equality, every step forward has been hard-won. Today, we must channel that historical courage to meet a pivotal moment for transgender rights.The Challenge Before Us: The Skrmetti Decision
This year, our celebration of history is set against the backdrop of a significant and heartbreaking legal setback: the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Skrmetti.
In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for minors. The Court ruled that the ban did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, allowing the state law to stand. This decision has devastating, real-world consequences for transgender youth and their families, effectively cementing a patchwork of healthcare access across the country and allowing similar bans in at least 25 other states to remain in place.
The ruling is a painful reminder that the fight for full LGBTQ+ equality is far from over. It is a direct assault on the fundamental right of parents, in consultation with medical professionals, to make informed healthcare decisions for their children. It tells transgender youth that their health and well-being are subject to political debate.
We are stronger together, and our peaceful resistance begins now. We must transform our grief and frustration into focused, strategic action to protect the rights of transgender youth and their families.A Call to Peaceful Action: Honor the Past, Fight for the Future
The work ahead is multi-faceted and requires the commitment of every ally and community member. We call upon you to engage in the following peaceful acts of resistance and support this month and beyond:
- Educate and Counter Misinformation:
- Share the Facts: Gender-affirming care is supported by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, as safe, effective, and often life-saving.
- Engage with Respect: Speak out in your circles—family, workplace, and community—to challenge the false narratives used to justify anti-trans laws. Use accurate language and terminology. Consider signing up for our Transgender Inclusion in Congregations classes or our OWL for adults 50+. Email learn@treeoflifeuu.org for more information.
- Support Organizations on the Front Lines:
- Donate and Volunteer: Organizations like the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and local transgender advocacy groups are actively challenging these bans in courts and state legislatures. Your financial and volunteer support is crucial to sustaining this vital legal work.
- Amplify Their Voices: Share information and action alerts from leading LGBTQ+ rights groups to broaden their reach.
- Engage in the Democratic Process:
- Contact Your Legislators: Reach out to your state and federal representatives to express your opposition to anti-trans legislation and your support for policies that protect gender-affirming care. A concise, personal message is most effective.
- Register and Vote: Support LGBTQ+-affirming candidates and policies at every level of government. Building political power is a long-term strategy for lasting change.
- Practice Affirmation and Community Care:
- Be an Ally in Your Space: Ensure your workplace, school, and community are safe, welcoming, and affirming for transgender and non-binary people. Use people’s correct names and pronouns.
- Support Trans Youth Directly: Volunteer for or donate to local youth centers and mental health services that provide a lifeline to transgender young people who are being denied essential care.
Our history is a testament to the fact that justice prevails, but only through continuous effort. Let this LGBTQ+ History Month be the moment we renew our commitment to the fight for all members of our community, especially the most vulnerable. Let the spirit of past activists inspire us to stand strong, act peacefully, and never back down.