Dear Friends,

This past week has been a testament to the power of our community.

We began the week honoring Trans Day of Visibility on Monday, a day that holds special significance as we celebrate the resilience, contributions, and joy of transgender and gender-expansive people.

In communities across the nation, we saw beautiful expressions of solidarity and affirmation. Even Shonda Rhimes got in on the joy.

Still, this celebration is sobering. We learned of the passing of Kaitoria Bankz — lovingly known as Kai — a radiant Black trans woman and inspiring member of our 2025 ELEVATE cohort. Her leadership and love touched so many, and her loss is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges our community continues to face.

This moment comes as anti-LGBTQ legislation is being introduced at alarming rates across the country. These bills are not just policy debates — they are direct attacks on the dignity and existence of our trans family members, friends and neighbors.

At HRC, we remain steadfast in our commitment to equality. Our litigation team continues to challenge discriminatory laws in court; our advocacy work amplifies trans voices in the halls of power, and our educational initiatives help create more inclusive environments in schools and workplaces.

Tuesday brought a moment of triumph that will reach far beyond this week. Susan Crawford's victory in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race represents a crucial win for equality in a key battleground state. Working alongside dedicated coalition partners, HRC helped mobilize over one million Equality Voters in the Badger State to secure this outcome.

This victory is about more than just one seat on a state court — it establishes a blueprint for how to protect reproductive freedoms, voting rights and LGBTQ+ equality in Wisconsin for years to come.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to every volunteer who knocked on doors, made phone calls and had difficult but necessary conversations with friends and family. Your work made this possible, and it's a powerful reminder that when we organize and vote, we win.

On Wednesday, I had the honor of speaking at a rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court as they heard arguments in a case that could severely restrict Medicaid patients’ ability to get access to essential sexual and reproductive health care at Planned Parenthood health centers. This is not just a reproductive rights issue but a critical LGBTQ+ healthcare concern as well.

As I stood among the resistors and persisters gathered outside the Court, I was reminded of how deeply interconnected our struggles for justice truly are. Reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ equality, economic justice and racial equity are not separate causes but different facets of the same fight for human dignity and self-determination.

That is why I’m thrilled that this Saturday, April 5th, HRC will join coalition partners for nationwide "Hands Off" rallies to push back against the MAGA takeover threatening our freedoms, financial security and democracy. With Trump, Musk and their followers in Congress threatening everything from healthcare access to Social Security to anti-discrimination protections, we must make our voices heard.

I encourage everyone reading this to find a rally near you, bring friends and family and show up in force.

Our opponents may have resources and institutional power, but we have something far more powerful: a vision of a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or whom they love. And we have you — our members, supporters and allies — whose dedication and passion fuel this movement every day.

Talking Points & Actions:

Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility! HRC honored TDOV on Monday by celebrating the contributions of the transgender and gender expansive community while also acknowledging the systemic challenges still facing our trans siblings. Learn more about HRC’s work on transgender equality — and share with your networks!

Massive victory in Wisconsin! Susan Crawford won her race for State Supreme Court on Tuesday. HRC worked along local coalition partners to mobilize over 1 million Equality Voters to achieve this victory, which will help to protect reproductive, voting and LGBTQ+ rights in Wisconsin.

Protect Medicaid! HRC president Kelley Robinson spoke at a rally at the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to save Medicaid dollars for Planned Parenthood which directly affects the trans community.

Hands Off! Join rallies nationwide this Saturday to tell the administration: Hands off our jobs, our data, our healthcare, our Social Security, Medicaid and government services! Sign up here to join the movement, share with your friends and fight back on 4/05.

Thank you for believing in a more just and equitable future. And thank you for the countless ways, both large and small, that you help make that future a reality.