Dear Friends, 

This week, together on the steps of the United States Supreme Court, we witnessed history. For the first time ever, a transgender lawyer presented arguments before our nation's highest court in US v. Skrmetti. This wasn't just any courtroom — this was the very chamber where marriage equality became the law of the land, where LGBTQ+ workplace protections were secured, and now, where our community's voice rang out with unprecedented clarity and power.

The Skrmetti case represents everything we're fighting for. At its heart, this case challenges Tennessee's attempt to discriminate against transgender adolescents by denying them the very same medications provided to others.  Gender-affirming healthcare is supported by every major medical association and is best-practice, medically necessary care. But in addition to unconstitutional discrimination, this case is also about this fundamental truth:  families should be able to make healthcare decisions for their children, guided by love and medical expertise rather than political agendas. When states like Tennessee try to ban this care, they're not just attacking trans youth — they're attacking the very foundations of our families and medical privacy that all Americans hold dear.

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If you missed my conversation with Joy Reid on MSNBC about the significance of these arguments, I encourage you to watch it. We discussed why this case matters far beyond Tennessee's borders. These laws are part of a coordinated national campaign to erase transgender young people from public life. But here's what our opponents didn't count on: with every attack, our community grows stronger and more united.
The scene outside the Supreme Court told the story: our supporters outnumbered the opposition three to one. Parents of transgender children organized in solidarity with medical providers, civil rights advocates, and allies from every background. Let me be crystal clear about something: Protecting transgender youth must be our highest priority because they are being targeted with unprecedented force. In state after state, we're seeing bills that would:

- Ban life-saving medical care

- Prohibit them from playing sports with their peers

- Even criminalize parents and doctors for providing appropriate care

Each of these attacks carries devastating real-world consequences. This is why the Skrmetti case matters so deeply — it could either halt this wave of discrimination or embolden it further.

The legal questions before the Supreme Court may be complex, but our moral obligation is simple: we must stand with trans youth

Yes, we're facing unprecedented attacks on diversity and inclusion across the country. When major corporations like Walmart begin rolling back their DEI commitments, it's a warning sign we can't ignore. But here's what gives me hope: for every public retreat, we're having dozens of private conversations with corporate leaders who understand that diversity isn't just right — it's essential for their success. Our role as a guide and partner in these discussions has never been more crucial.

This week, we also marked World AIDS Day, reminding us that our community knows how to fight through the darkest times and emerge stronger. Every victory in that ongoing battle was won through the same combination of courage, persistence, and solidarity that we brought to the Supreme Court steps this week.

We must live like we will one day be someone's ancestor, because we will be. The history of this moment is being written right now, not just in the Supreme Court but in every brave conversation, every public stand and every act of love and support within our community.

As the holiday season approaches, I know this can be a challenging time for many in our family. Remember that you are not alone. The strength of HRC lies in our unity, and that unity is unbreakable.

Dear Friends,

In moments of challenge, I'm often reminded that progress isn't just about the battles we fight — it's about the unwavering hope and determination that drive us forward. This week has been one of those moments, bringing both sobering reminders of the work ahead and inspiring examples of the courage that has always defined our movement.

The halls of Congress echoed this week with a vote that cut deep into the hearts of military families across our nation. By a margin of 281-140, the House of Representatives passed a version of the National Defense Authorization Act that includes a provision targeting the transgender children of our servicemembers, aiming to strip away their access to medically necessary healthcare. Not since the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 has any discriminatory provision become part of federal law. Yet even in this difficult moment, I've been moved by the incredible resilience and strength shown by the military families who've stepped forward to share their stories.

These are families who embody the very best of American values — sacrifice, dedication and unconditional love. Every morning, they wake up ready to serve our nation, protecting the freedoms we all hold dear. As House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) made clear throughout the week, their children shouldn't have to bear the burden of political games. They deserve the same dignity, respect and access to healthcare that every American family counts on. 

The contrast between these families' dedication and the political maneuvering in Washington couldn't be starker. Recent CNN reporting has revealed that Pete Hegseth, Trump's current pick for Secretary of Defense, not only opposed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell but continues to champion debunked myths about LGBTQ+ service members in his recent book, "The War on Warriors." His regret isn't for the thousands of careers destroyed or lives upended under that discriminatory policy — it's that he didn't fight harder to keep it in place.

Let's be clear: the Secretary of Defense must be someone who believes in supporting all our servicemembers, not someone who would resurrect failed policies of the past. Our military's strength lies in its diversity, in the dedication of every person who steps forward to serve, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or any other aspect of who they are. The data proves it, our military leaders affirm it and most importantly, our servicemembers live it every day.

Yet even amid these challenges, this week also brought powerful reminders that support for LGBTQ+ servicemembers hasn't always been — and shouldn't be — a partisan issue. As we mourned the passing of former Representative Jim Leach (R-IA), I found myself reflecting on his legacy. As a Republican congressman, he voted against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on open military service, consistently standing up for equality when doing so required genuine political courage. He understood that protecting all who serve isn't about politics — it's about living up to our nation's highest ideals.

Rep. Leach's example reminds us that progress often comes from unexpected allies and that principles can transcend party lines. In his memory, and for all the servicemembers and families counting on us today, we must continue building bridges and finding common ground in the fight for equality.

Looking ahead, we have crucial opportunities to prevent this discriminatory NDAA provision from becoming law. The Senate now has the power — and the responsibility — to reject any bill that includes these dangerous anti-trans, anti-military family measures. Your voices will be essential in this fight. Every call, every letter, every conversation with friends and family helps build the momentum we need to protect military families. Already, you made nearly 3,000 calls to Congress and sent more than 15,000 emails to U.S. Senate and House offices. We must keep up the pressure—can you send a message with HRC to your Senators now?

To our military families: your strength inspires us every day. To our LGBTQ+ servicemembers: your courage in serving openly and proudly lights the way forward. And to our entire HRC family: your unwavering support makes every victory possible.

We've learned through decades of struggle that progress isn't always linear. There are setbacks and challenges, moments when it feels like we're fighting the same battles we thought we'd already won. But we've also learned that when we stand together, when we refuse to be divided or discouraged, we are unstoppable.

Remember: not too long ago, the idea of open military service for LGBTQ+ Americans seemed impossible to many. Today, thousands serve openly and proudly, making our military stronger and our nation more secure. That transformation happened because people like you refused to accept discrimination as inevitable. You fought, you organized, you changed hearts and minds. Now, we're called to do it again — to stand up for military families, to defend the progress we've made, and to keep pushing forward until every servicemember and their family can serve openly, proudly and with full access to the care they need. With your continued advocacy and support, I know we'll succeed.

The path ahead may be challenging, but our commitment to equality and justice remains unshakeable. Together, we'll keep fighting until every LGBTQ+ American, whether in uniform or not, can live openly, safely and freely.