I Affirm

09/07/2022

The Department of Education needs to hear from you!

The Department of Education is now conducting a comprehensive review of Title IX regulations to address the discriminatory changes made by the Trump administration and ensure LGBTQ+ students are able to learn and grow in environments free of harassment and discrimination.

Share your comments on what changing these regulations to be more inclusive means to you and the LGBTQ people in your life!

Tell the Department of Education to protect LGBTQ+ students! Send a message today: []

08/26/2022

No matter where we come from or what we look like, we all deserve to see our doctor without fear. Many trans and non-binary people are still facing discrimination from insurers, providers, staff, and healthcare services. In the Rogue Action Center's 2020 survey, 72% of all trans & gender non-conforming participants in Josephine & Jackson counties reported having been given misinformation or made to feel ashamed by a healthcare provider. That's not right!

Right now, the Biden-Harris Administration needs to hear your comments on a proposed regulation for the Affordable Care Act’s Health Care Rights Law, also known as Section 1557. This regulation has the potential to ensure that the Administration can enforce trans people’s right to be protected from discrimination and harm while seeking health care services.

Submit your comment today and tell the Biden- Harris Administration that you support the new rule.

No matter where we come from or what we look like, we all deserve to see our doctor without fear.

All of our families should have the resources to be well and thrive, whether we’re cis or trans, from big cities or rural towns. Take action with us to ensure trans people get the healthcare we all deserve. Submit a public comment today at ProtectTransHealth.org.

We want the Biden administration to give us more than the bare minimum. We need more than protection. When our loved ones are ill, they should be focused on getting well. They shouldn’t have to wonder if providers will follow the law and give us the care we need and deserve.

Go to ProtectTransHealth.org today to take action.

08/25/2022

Please share in your networks this new group being facilitated by Options for Adult Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender-Expansive individuals.

This online (Zoom) group cycles through 7 topics (1 per week), with 6 group discussions and 1 presentation. You can drop in for any topics that interest you!

• Gender expression and identity building
• Coming out
• Dealing with external prejudice and unintentional (implicit) bias
• Substance use
• Relationships
• Self-care
• Sexual and Reproductive Health (presentation with time for questions)

Community Members and Options’ Clients Welcome!

Wednesdays 2:30pm-4/4:30pm, starting September 21

Zoom Meeting ID: 959 8596 6656 Passcode: 119228

For more information, please call (541) 476-2373

03/31/2022

This , take action to support trans youth in southern OR!

As trans attorney and activist Chase Strangio says, “Visibility without power and mobilization just leads to violence so let's get active today.” Trans youth are under attack in states all across the country, including locally.

Take action nationally - Visit https://www.trans-week.com/ to learn how legislation is targeting trans youth and what you can do to get involved in stopping these attacks

Take action locally -
1. Make your support known - Join the I Affirm coalition! We are a group of parents, educators, and students working to make schools safer for trans and gender-nonconforming students in Josephine & Jackson counties. https://tinyurl.com/IAffirmsignup

2. Do you live in Grants Pass District 7? Email your School Board, plz! On April 12, the D7 School Board will nominate a new school board member. Email them and let them know that it is critical that they choose someone who will advocate for equity and an affirming school environment for LGBTQ+ students! https://www.grantspass.k12.or.us/our-district/board-of-education

3. What can you do to improve material conditions for trans & nonbinary people in southern Oregon? Ask and keep asking! Educate yourself and donate to support trans-led orgs and projects that serve the LGBTQ+ community. Here's a list of local orgs: tinyurl.com/soLGBTQresourcepage-2021-10

03/31/2022

Happy Trans Day of Visibility, everyone! You are beautiful, powerful, loved and much-needed!

03/22/2022

*Call for art!* Calling for art and poster designs that lift up, celebrate, and affirm transgender, gender non-conforming & nonbinary youth and adults in southern Oregon.

Supportive messages, positive representations, expressions of personal experience - all welcome.

Why: Over 100 anti-trans bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2021, the majority of which target trans young people. While we are protected from a lot of these initiatives at the state level in Oregon because of past activism, all trans youth right now are being subjected to ugly rhetoric, misguided policies, and dangerous actions perpetrated against us amid a nationwide attack on trans lives. We're seeing this play out in local schools in our region. We are fighting back alongside many others! And we also need to make sure the trans youth and adults in our neighborhoods and communities feel loved and supported as we combat these systemic inequities.

Submission guidelines: Please submit high-quality image files (.png or .jpeg) or PDFs to [email protected]. Images formatted for 8.5x11" printing strongly preferred though any size is welcome; images may be reformatted as needed, with permission. Images may be used on stickers, social media, for printed flyers, or other local visibility work, with credit to artists. Selected work will receive a small stipend.

Image credit: Colin Laurel, Forward Together - https://forwardtogether.org/let-trans-kids-know-you-are-not-alone/

02/22/2022

"Anti-LGBTQ lawmakers across the country are attacking our trans communities right now – overwhelmingly through cruel bills that target trans youth and their rights to healthcare and to play sports.

With these harmful bills also comes harmful misinformation about trans people. Someone you know might even be spreading that misinformation along – and that might mean it’s time to chat."

Check out this excellent video about how to interrupt misinformation about trans folks from Miss Peppermint and our friends at the ACLU.

Written guide here: https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/your-guide-to-talking-about-attacks-on-trans-youth

08/23/2021

"We know that many school administrators are doing their best to make schools welcoming for all students, including LGBTQI students. But we also know that that's not the reality for all trans students.

"In some places, people in positions of authority are putting up obstacles that would keep you from playing on the sports field, accessing the bathroom, and receiving the supportive and life-saving care you need.

"We're here to say that's wrong, and it's against the law.

"We know you are resilient and we hope you find support when and where you need it. But we also want you to know that the Department of Education and the entire federal government stand behind you. Your rights at school matter. You matter."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGHtoBJMcgU

Connect with LGBTQ+ community in southern Oregon: tinyurl.com/soLGBTQresource-page-2021

Know your rights!: tinyurl.com/trans-student-rights

Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the the Civil Rights Division, Department of Education Acting Assistant Secretary for Civ...

06/24/2021

Canada's House of Commons on Tuesday passed a bill criminalizing LGBT conversion therapy 263 to 63, handing a win to the minority ruling Liberal party which promised to ban the practice during an unveiling of its election platform in 2019.

06/14/2021

An excellent example! Head over to instagram and follow Ace Schwarz for an updated version: https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6VrkMsQ2P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link