Take Action

Pledge to be a PFLAG Voter

This November, there’s a critical election that will determine whether LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones will have the freedom to learn, thrive, and be themselves. Join our Love Votes movement and take the pledge to be a PFLAG Voter. And then check out the Love Votes page on our website where you’ll find tools and resources to help folks register to vote, educational tools like slide decks and flyers with voting rights info for all 50 states, PFLAG Academy online trainings focused on getting out the vote, and more resources to take action.

For those in the Washington, DC area: Join us in celebrating the freedom to read!

Everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves, to thrive—and to learn. All kids—including LGBTQ+ kids—deserve to see themselves in the books they read, to learn with and from people who are different from them, and to grow and thrive in our multiracial democracy.

Join us for a Celebration of Reading on Saturday, August 31 from 10am – 2pm EDT at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, 5th Floor to celebrate the freedom to read and to ensure that accurate, honest, and inclusive books are available everywhere. There will be free books, food, live performances and readings, and lots of family friendly fun to celebrate books that represent all of us! RSVP today to attend. Together we’ll send a message that no matter who we are, what we look like, or who we love, we know our communities are stronger when we are free to be our authentic selves, work together, and read with love.

State Matters

Self-care note: While some of the following stories celebrate and affirm LGBTQ+ people, many cover legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and nonbinary youth. Please be kind to yourself and use your discretion while reading this section. 

Advisory: State news is representative but not exhaustive due to space constraints; feel free to forward news about your state to advocacy@pflag.org to consider for inclusion.

District of Columbia - Thousands participate in National Trans Visibility March. The March was held on August 24th and featured speakers from the LGBTQ+ movement and allies, as well as a focus on HIV prevention and comprehensive sex education.  

Florida - Parenting with Pride combats anti-LGBTQ+ policies in schools and from the legislature. Parenting with Pride, with leadership from PFLAG Miami’s Jennifer Solomon, has created a network of more than 2,000 families to stop anti-LGBTQ+ legislation from passing out of the state legislature and to protect LGBTQ+ kids in school. 

Pennsylvania - PFLAG Pittsburgh writes open letter to radio station criticizing transphobic broadcast. A recent broadcast of The John Clay Wolfe Show on 102.5 WDVE featured repeated use of slurs and derogatory comments targeting Imane Khelif, an Algerian Olympic boxer. In their letter, PFLAG Pittsburgh, along with various local community organizations, government officials, and businesses demanded that WDVE issue a formal apology and broadcast a statement of inclusiveness and affirmation.

Court Matters

11th Circuit rules Florida may enforce gender affirming care ban while trial proceeds. The 2-1 decision stayed an earlier district court ruling that had blocked enforcement of the healthcare ban. The Circuit Court ruling effectively means the ban can go into effect while the trial regarding the constitutionality of the law continues.

Federal judge extends order allowing trans teenager to play soccer. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty’s ruling will allow a trans girl to continue to play on her soccer team while the court considers arguments for a longer term order and a trial over New Hampshire’s anti-trans athlete ban.

Global Matters

Australia - Government decides to omit questions about LGBTQ+ population in the upcoming census. Several members of parliament criticized the decision and warned that it could lead to a boycott of the census by the LGBTQ+ community. 

Tonga - Miss Galaxy pageant showcases gender diverse Tongans. Almost one-fifth of Tonga’s population watched the pageant, despite increasing hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community in the country. Many of the contestants are Leitis, a third gender in Tongan culture where people assigned male at birth live as women and have traditionally taken on roles caring for elder Tongans and serving the royal family.

United Kingdom - Trans teenage activists camp outside Department for Education. The activists, which are part of the Trans Kids Deserve Better action network, are demanding greater protections for trans students.

Media Matters

Healthcare professionals working with trans youth face death threats, harassment, and high demand for their services. With 26 states now restricting access to healthcare for trans and nonbinary youth, states without restrictions are facing an influx of out-of-state patients. Many doctors working with trans and nonbinary youth have been forced to take additional security measures to protect themselves as attacks on this healthcare have intensified.  

Austin-based brewery unveils “Big Gay Beer.” The Brewtorium Brewery and Kitchen received a bomb threat at a drag brunch event in June and responded by creating a new brew they are calling “Big Gay Beer.” All proceeds from “Big Gay Beer” sales will go to Veterans for Equality. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Detox comes out as trans. The Drag Race alum came out during a public performance with another former Drag Race contestant, Willam.  

Trans golfer gets closer to qualifying for the LPGA as the organization reviews its trans participation policies. Hailey Davidson, who is openly trans, has advanced out of the LPGA’s pre-qualifying stage, the first of three qualifying rounds before a golfer can join the LPGA Tour. The LPGA is currently reviewing its policy regarding trans participation, with any policy updates expected to come before the 2025 season begins. 

PFLAG National
(202) 467-8180 | love@pflag.org

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