Today’s news about efforts to ban gender-affirming surgeries is undeniably painful — a blow that targets the heart of a community already battling immense challenges.
For many, gender-affirming care is not just medical — it’s life-saving. The staggering statistic that over 40% of transgender individuals attempt suicide underscores the urgency of this issue. But even in the face of policies designed to strip us of our humanity, we will rise. Hate may be loud, but our resilience is louder.
This is not just a moment of resistance — it’s an opportunity for reflection and growth as a community. It’s time to reaffirm who we are, what we stand for, and how we can come together to move forward with strength.
Courage to Redefine and Embrace Growth
The landscape of gender identity is constantly evolving, offering space for more people to find themselves and feel seen. But with growth comes the need for understanding, dialogue, and clarity. These conversations aren’t always easy, but they are vital. Let us challenge ourselves to engage openly and honestly, to ask questions and seek understanding without fear of judgment. Growth requires courage — courage to listen, learn, and embrace the complexity of our identities.
Demanding Accountability for True Representation
This is also a time to reflect on the organizations and leaders that represent us. Are they championing the voices of all members of the LGBTQ community, or leaving some behind? Are they addressing intersectionality — acknowledging how race, class, geography, and other factors shape our experiences? We must hold these organizations accountable, ensuring they reflect our full diversity and stand for the rights of every member of our community.
Strength in Unity
While the forces working against us may try to divide and weaken us, we know the truth: we are strongest when we stand together. Unity doesn’t mean erasing our differences — it means celebrating them, learning from them, and using them to build a more inclusive and supportive community. Let us resist oppression not just with protests and policy fights but by addressing the fractures within our own movement and becoming stronger from within.
A Call to Action
Let this be a rallying cry — not just against injustice, but for a brighter future. Together, we can face any challenge. Together, we can build a community that honors every voice, embraces every identity, and refuses to back down in the face of hate.
Today, we grieve, but tomorrow we rise. Let’s move forward with strength, determination, and hope, knowing that our diversity is not a weakness — it’s our greatest power.
Ada Arencibia is a passionate transgender activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights who hosts the podcast, Out of the Closet, Into the World.
