Let’s talk about something that’s been on our minds a lot lately: the wave of anti-transgender legislation sweeping across the country. While these laws have devastating impacts on transgender people, not only are they cruel and humiliating, but they make it far more dangerous to exist in public. But what's often left out of these discussions is that this legislation impacts all of us—yes, even if you’re cisgender (cis). We've already seen cis women be targeted by "transvestigations." Remember the Olympics where cis boxer, Imane Khelif, was relentlessly attacked and accused of being a man by transphobes? Unfortunately, the reality is that bigotry tends to spill out beyond the people that were originally targeted and impact everyone. As we're seeing this unfold and impact our community, we believe in building a world where everyone can thrive, and that means standing up against laws that hurt any part of our community. So, let’s break it down together.  

What’s Going On with Anti-Trans Laws?  

Anti-trans legislation includes things like:

- Banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth (and sometimes adults).  

- Preventing transgender people from using public restrooms that match their gender identity.  

- Barring transgender athletes from playing sports.  

- Making it illegal to talk about gender identity in schools.  

These laws are designed to target transgender people, but their effects don’t stop there. They create a ripple effect that touches everyone’s lives, whether you realize it or not. Because at the heart of transphobia is the same patriarchal attitudes that seek to subjugate women. The existence of trans people breaks the myth of a binary "biological" gender category and therefore challenges misogyny. The repression we are witnessing is an attempt to reinstate traditional (hierarchical) gender structures. While trans people make up roughly 1.8% of the population, they have become the pariah of the Christian Nationalist movement.    

Okay, But How Does This Affect Cis People?

Before we continue, we want to make it clear that our focus is providing immediate care for trans people who are directly impacted. But we also want to acknowledge that since trans people make up a very small portion of the population, we understand that many cis people don't know anyone who is trans in real life. So explaining how these laws also negatively impact cis people can be a vital step to building solidarity. 

1. Your Privacy Could Be at Risk  

Take bathroom bills, for example. These laws require people to “prove” their gender to use public restrooms. But let’s be real—how do you “prove” your gender? This kind of scrutiny doesn’t just affect transgender people. Cis folks who don’t fit traditional gender norms—like a woman with short hair or a man who’s more feminine—could be questioned, harassed, or even denied access. Suddenly, everyone’s privacy is up for debate.  

2. Your Healthcare Could Be Next

When lawmakers start banning gender-affirming care for transgender people, it sets a scary precedent. If the government can decide what medical treatments are allowed for one group, what’s stopping them from doing the same for others? This isn’t just about transgender healthcare—it’s about *everyone’s* right to make decisions about their own body.  

3. It Hurts Families and Communities  

These laws don’t just target individuals—they tear families apart. Imagine being a parent who just wants to support their transgender child, only to be told by the government that you can’t. Or think about the fear and division these laws create in communities. When we attack one group, we weaken the bonds that hold us all together.  

4. It Normalizes Discrimination  

Here’s the thing: when we allow one group to be targeted, it opens the door for more discrimination. Anti-trans laws reinforce harmful stereotypes and create a culture where it’s okay to exclude and dehumanize people. That doesn’t just hurt transgender people—it puts everyone’s rights at risk.  

The Bigger Picture: This Is About All of Us  

Anti-trans legislation isn’t just a transgender issue—it’s a human issue. These laws chip away at the principles of equality, freedom, and privacy that protect all of us. When we stand up for transgender rights, we’re not just standing up for one group—we’re standing up for the kind of world we all want to live in.  

What Can We Do About It?  

1. Get Informed: Learn about the impact of these laws and share what you know with others. Knowledge is power.  

2. Speak Up: Contact your representatives and let them know you oppose anti-trans legislation. Your voice matters.  

3. Support Transgender Voices: Listen to and amplify transgender advocates and organizations. They’re leading the fight, and they need our support.  

4. Show Up: Be an ally in your everyday life. Stand up for transgender friends, family members, and coworkers.  

Let’s Build a Better Future Together  

Here’s the bottom line: we’re all in this together. Anti-trans legislation hurts everyone, and it’s up to all of us to push back. We believe in a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear—and that includes you, me, and every single person in between.  

So, let’s stand together, speak out, and create a future where everyone belongs. Because when we lift each other up, we all rise.  

*P.S. Want to take action? Check out organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, and GLAAD to learn how you can help. Every little bit counts!*