Trans Under Attack – Blueprint to Fight Back

Trans Under Attack – Blueprint to Fight Back is a guide for the transgender community and our allies to fight back against persecution. Across the U.S. and throughout the world, transgender people are facing an assault on our rights and our ability to live authentically. As a transgender person, I have been watching the wave against equality and began making notes about how to effectively fight back against the oppression. I am writing this not as a cry for sympathy, but as a blueprint for action. We are not powerless. We are resilient and brave. We have wonderful allies standing to fight with us.

This article lays out an action-focused plan for fighting back against the surge of anti-trans legislation we are witnessing under the Trump administration. While the author is U.S. based, these steps will work in most countries. Please be mindful of local laws and your safety when engaging in resistance. We must win this fight for equality, but your safety must also be a priority.

Note: This article is subject to revision as members weigh in with additional ideas. Please let us know if you have ideas or resources we should include in this article. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive action plan for this fight against oppression.

This is Our Call to Action

This is one of those defining moments we read about in history—when courageous people rise up to confront tyranny and oppression. Now it’s our turn. This is our call to action. What we do today will shape the future for generations to come. Keep reading to learn how you can be part of history in the making.

Stay Informed, Stay Ready

In a situation such as we find ourselves in now, knowledge is power. The first step in any resistance movement is being informed and understanding what we’re up against. With hundreds of anti-trans bills introduced across state legislatures, we must stay informed. These bills include access to essential healthcare services, transgender participation in sports, bathroom use, driver’s license and identification issuances, gender changes on birth certificate and passports, etc. To stay informed, bookmark and check in regularly at resources including:

Stay informed, know the current threats, and remain ready to respond to these challenges. It can be difficult to keep up due to the sheer number of news stories. Check into these information sources regularly, but be sure to take time for yourself to disconnect and recharge.

News Media Coverage of the Attack on the Trans Community

National news media is a good source of information as well. In a time of political spin and misinformation, getting accurate news is essential to making informed decisions. Stick with reputable, nonpartisan sources such as NPR, PBS News, The Associated Press, and Reuters, which are known for fact-based reporting. Be cautious of opinion-heavy cable shows that may blur the line between news and commentary. When in doubt, cross-check stories across multiple outlets and look for primary sources or direct quotes.

LGBTQ+ News Sources

The Advocate – One of the oldest and most respected LGBTQ+ publications in the U.S., The Advocate offers news, politics, opinion, and culture from a queer perspective.
Them – A modern LGBTQ+ platform backed by Condé Nast, Them provides in-depth features, commentary, and breaking news on queer culture, rights, and identity.
PinkNews – UK-based but internationally focused, PinkNews delivers timely reporting on global LGBTQ+ rights, politics, and culture.
LGBTQ Nation – A leading digital news magazine that focuses on U.S. and world news with special emphasis on legislative developments, trans rights, and queer life.
GLAAD News & Rapid Response – While GLAAD is an advocacy group, their Media Center provides verified, up-to-date coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and how they’re portrayed in mainstream media.

Subscribing to trustworthy newsletters or setting news alerts from reliable outlets can also help you stay informed without being overwhelmed.

Speak Up, Speak Out

One way to fight back is by engaging in conversations with family, friends, coworkers, and community members. This helps humanize our stories and break down the walls related to misunderstanding and fear. Even one conversation can change someone’s perspective forever. Be courageous. Your story matters.

Share your personal story and experiences to the extent you are comfortable doing so.
Share articles, statistics, and personal stories.
Host or attend educational meetups and local panels.
Correct misinformation when you see it—online and offline.
Call out bigotry whenever you see it.

Social Media as a Tool for Change

Social media isn’t just for selfies and memes, although we enjoy those too! Social media has become a battleground for truth and a space to inspire mass action at the grassroots level. Use your social media platforms to:

Share legislative updates and petitions.
Highlight voices from the trans community and our allies.
Join and share discussions about trans rights. It helps!
Let’s flood social media with trans stories of pride, resistance, and truth.

Contact Lawmakers: Hold Them Accountable

We should thank and support the elected leaders who are standing up for us, and hold accountable those who are not. One of the most impactful things you can do is to contact your state and federal legislators:

Commend those voting for trans-inclusive policies.
Condemn those supporting anti-trans bills. Remind them that elections are coming, and the world is watching.

Finding contact information for your elected leaders can be confusing. We recommend you use tools like:

Collect your thoughts and have a coherent message ready to communicate. Even brief, polite calls and emails can make a difference. Legislators pay attention when constituents speak. There is a formula used by legislators where they calculate that each call represents “X” number of their constituents.

Register. Vote. Mobilize.

Voting is not only a right, you might consider it a responsibility. This is particularly true given our current political climate and the war against the trans community. Anti-trans legislators have been elected by razor-thin margins. The war against the trans community is not a major concern for most Americans, according to recent polls. We can all contribute to make a difference.

Make sure you’re registered to vote.
Know the dates of upcoming elections.
Know your polling location or ballot submission method.
Encourage like-minded friends to register and vote.
Take the time to educate yourself about the position statements of candidates.
Don’t wait for the next presidential election. Local and state elections are just as critical.

Need to register to vote? Check your status or register here: vote.org

Support Advocacy Organizations

Change comes at a cost in both manpower hours and labor/material costs. We can help. Even small donations add up when multiplied by a movement. Even if you can’t volunteer or donate, you can share these organizations’ messages on your online platforms. Please consider volunteering, donating and supporting:

Lambda Legal – Legal defense of LGBTQ+ and HIV+ people. (See Lambda Legal Litigation Library for current cases)
ACLU – Challenging unconstitutional laws across the country. (See The ACLU Transgender Rights Page for more information on current cases)
Transgender Law Center – Policy advocacy and support for trans individuals. ( See TLC Legal Cases Archive for more information on case involvement)

Create and Contribute: Writing, Vlogging, and Beyond

If you’re a creator, use your art, writing, and voice to join the resistance movement. Creativity connects and transforms. Every little bit helps and you never know the impact you might have. It might be much greater than you ever imagined.

Start a blog, vlog, or podcast to share information about your journey or activism.
Write articles, essays, or poems for websites, magazines, and social media.
Make entertaining, informative or impactful memes and digital art to share our message.

Content creation is resistance, and your voice matters!

Stand United With Other Marginalized Communities

Anti-trans bigotry is part of a broader movement of hate. Take a firm stand against transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, or any form of discrimination or bigotry. We must stand in solidarity with:

Immigrants (even those lawfully in the country) who are facing family separation and dehumanization.
People of color, who have a long history of being subjected to systemic racism.
Autistic and neurodivergent people who have somehow fell under unwanted scrutiny of the U.S. government.
Disabled people who are fighting for dignity and access.
Veterans who risked their lives in service to our country, but now find eroding support services.
Women who face misogynistic and reproductive rights attacks.
People of faith who deviate from the fundamentalist Christian church being represented by MAGA.

Do not let them divide and conquer us. We must join others who are under attack. When we link arms with others, we form an unbreakable chain.

Welcome Our Allies

Allies are not just supporters—they are force multipliers. They bring resources, access, and amplification. Invite them in.

Offer them resources to learn (like TGGuide.com).
Thank them publicly for their support.
Encourage them to speak up in their own communities.

We need allies at our side and in positions of influence. Together, we are stronger.

Transgender Community Under Attack: We Rise Up!

This is not the time to sit on the sidelines hoping somebody else will take care of it. Our blueprint to fight back is clear. Our lives, our futures, and our dignity are worth fighting for. Truth is on our side and we will win. Not just by surviving but by thriving, boldly and together. Join the fight for trans equality. Stay loud. Stay proud. Stay strong!