Today, we honor the beautiful people taken too soon by transphobic violence and hate. Transgender and gender-expansive people face disproportionately high systemic and social violence with over 600 anti-trans bills continuing to be introduced across the country this year. Since last November, at least thirty were reported murdered in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

 

They may be no longer physically with us, but they will live on in our hearts forever.

 

Kita Bee

San Coleman

Honee Daniels

Kassim Omar

Redd (Barbie)

Vanity Williams

Tai’Vion Lathan

Dylan Gurley

Monique Brooks

Kenji Spurgeon

Shannon Boswell

Pauly Likens

Liara Tsai

Starr Brown

Michelle Henry 

Brandon “Tayy Dior” Thomas

Reyna Hernandez

Quanesha Shantel “Cocoa”

Jazlynn Johnson

Yella (Robert) Clark Jr.

Sasha Williams

Andrea Doria Dos Passos

River Nevaeh Goddard

Tee “Lagend Billions” Arnold

Africa Parrilla Garcia

Meraxes Medina

Alex Taylor Franco

Diamond Brigman

Righteous TK “Chevy” Hill

Kitty Monroe

A national abortion ban and attacks on queer & trans youth are on the horizon. Donald Trump made clear he will be instituting these attacks on our communities on Day 1. Now more than ever, we need to unite to block the attacks on our rights. We know the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is the best shot we have right now, to tangibly protect our communities from his incoming orders. #ERANow calls on outgoing President Biden to publish the Equal Rights Amendment.

Publication of the ERA would enshrine the following 24 words in the U.S. Constitution: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Once published, the U.S. Constitution will explicitly prohibit sex discrimination, which includes discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity. This would finally put women and queer people in the Constitution, and protect abortion, gender-affirming care, and more. A constitutional amendment is something Donald Trump can’t overturn.

An amendment to the Constitution needs passage by 2/3rds of Congress and ratification from 38 states. The ERA has met those requirements. Now, we need President Biden to be bold and publish the ERA in his last months in office. The stakes are higher than ever.

Tell President Biden, Publish the ERA Now!

Dear Members and Friends,

Did you know we have an active FL NOW book club?

We meet on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 pm over Zoom. Our book club is an incredible opportunity to learn about topics often overlooked in traditional education, focusing on racism, past and current injustices faced by people of color, and the true history of these communities. Recently, we read “The Color of Law” and “The Color of Money,” which starkly portray the systemic injustices from the end of slavery to today, detailing segregation and the barriers preventing African Americans from building wealth. Both were powerful and thought-provoking books.

This month, we are excited to read a novel called “James,” which tells the story of Huck Finn from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved character. In preparation, I decided to reread “Huck Finn,” and revisiting Mark Twain’s work has been wonderful.

We invite you to come and learn with us. Our group consists of strong, passionate feminists, and each book club discussion is led by a member.

We do have guidelines for our book selections, including a ~300-page limit, available in audio and at the library, under $20, close to a 4.5+ rating from both Amazon and Good Reads, and is on topic.

We’d love for you to join us! Click on the button below to join our book club!

Join the FL NOW Book Club

Learn More

Take Care,
Debbie Deland,
Florida NOW President
president@flnow.org