As a queer student, recent legislation and outbreaks of violence against queer kids are deeply terrifying.
However, I know for a fact that I'd rather exist truthfully in fear than live sheltered and safe.
We always have existed, and we deserve to continue existing.
- Pasadena Unified student
Open letter in support of our trans and gender diverse children and youth
To our community,
There are currently 427 active bills in 41 states (as of April 9, 2024) in this country that seek to block transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive (TGX) people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to exist publicly. This number does not include the current efforts that target trans students in our own community. These bills especially target TGX youth and are deeply informed by the spreading of misinformation about TGX individuals.
Statistics show that transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth, along with those who are intersex, are more likely to experience bullying, harassment, and adverse mental health outcomes compared to their cisgender peers.
However, the impact of acceptance and support of TGX youth is significant. Studies show that transgender and nonbinary youth who reported gender identity acceptance from at least one adult had 33% lower odds of reporting a past-year suicide attempt. This number increases to 49% with acceptance from additional adults in their lives.
In the spirit of solidarity, we call upon our larger community to support and uplift our TGX and our lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBQIA) youth who also face similar struggles. It is imperative that we recognize and respect the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students. We affirm that they have the right to use facilities and participate in activities consistent with their authentic gender identity. We also affirm that they have a right to privacy and self-determination regarding how and when they share who they are, as recently affirmed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. We must ensure that their correct pronouns and chosen names are respected and that they can express themselves authentically without fear of judgment or discrimination.
We urge our larger community to join us in creating a culture of acceptance, inclusion, and love for all LGBTQIA+ youth and ask that you take part in one or more of the following actions:
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Sign on to this letter of support. Please share it with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
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Educate yourself and those around you about TGX needs and experiences.
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Support local LGBTQ+ organizations that are doing life-saving work for TGX youth by joining their advocacy efforts or making a financial contribution.
Through these actions, we can take steps to make our community a better place for all LGBTQIA+ youth. Let us listen to their voices, honor their experiences, and advocate for their rights and well-being. Together, we can ensure that every LGBTQIA+ youth knows they are perfect exactly as they are and that our world is infinitely better because of them.
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Signed,
Ana Acevedo - Altadena resident and PUSD parent
Lauren Acker - Educator and parent
Noeleen Acosta - Therapist
Zarreah Adedipe
Geoff Albert - Parent, Altadena resident, nonprofit leader
Thea Alvarado
Sara K Austin - parent
Elizabeth Beaumont - Educator, Pasadena Resident
Bakhtawar Bhadha - Educator
Rayo Bhadha
Varun Bhadha
Zerxes Bhadha
Jeannine Bogaard - Nonprofit, Educator
Ress Boulter
Margie Bradley - Educator
Kitty Cahalan - PUSD parent and Pasadena resident
Patrick Cahalan - PUSD Trustee
Zane Cahalan - Transgender student
Marie Cantor - Altadena resident and PUSD parent
Ashley Carrasco - Pasadena Resident & Hood Liberation Co-Chair
Stevi Carroll - Retired teacher/ current tutor
Brenden Thomas Cashatt - Educator
Francesca Chaboya
Steven J Cole - Educator
Jennifer L. Collins, LCSW
Stephanie Cosey - Educator
Keith Couser - Realtor
Ernesto Covarrubias - Community member
Robert Takahashi Crouch - Cultural Leader
Emily Cummins
Alex Dean - mom of a trans kid
Vannia De La Cuba
Carol DeuPree - Grandparent, retired teacher, Altadena resident
Julie A Esnard - Altadena resident
Kristel Foutch
Tina Fredericks - Pasadena Unified School Board Member
Daniel Alexander Garcia - Educator
Emmanuel Gómez - Educator
Jennifer Hall Lee - PUSD Trustee
Scott Harden - Public Education Advocate
Natalie Harris - Educator/Pasadena resident
Bob Harrison - Altadena resident
Elizabeth Harrison - Pasadena Resident
Jack Harrison
Lisa Harrison
William Harrison - Educator, Altadena Resident
Whitney Harrison-Kambarami - Pasadena resident, public health and community engagement professional
Emily Hopkins - Pasadena resident, non-profit leader
J. Hwang
Mo Hyman - Nonprofit executive
Anusha Iyengar - Educator
Liz Jackman - Caltech Y
Shayda Jalali - Professor
Jasmin - community member
Eric V. Johnson - Pastor
Councilmember Justin Jones
K Jordan
Farisai Kambarami - Filmmaker
Tina Kardos - Altadena resident
Kimberly Kenne - Altadena resident and parent
Julie Kiotas - Professor Pasadena City College
AnnMarie Kolakowski - librarian
Lisa Kroese - PUSD Mom and PUSD District 6 Candidate
Katie Lookholder - Educator, Sociologist, Ally
Jason Lyon - Pasadena City Councilmember
Natasha Mahone - Parent
Zac Matthews - Educator, Parent
Patrice Marshall McKenzie
Ms Julie Romero McKune - Altadena resident, retired public school teacher
Laura Monroe
Aida Muciño - Pasadena Community Member
Rachel Lynn Munson - Pasadena resident for 7+ years, TGX ally
Alvin Nash - Educator
Elonda Norris
Stephen Nowlin - Artist, Curator, Altadena Resident, Parent
Michael Ocon - Education Advocate
Ashley Olmsted
Kim Olpin
Senator Anthony J. Portantino - California State Senator
Jane Potelle - Altadena resident
Akata Pulini - Pasadena resident
Karla V. Ramos - College Advising
Alexandra Rasic
Deborah Repella - PUSD parent and Pasadena resident
Jess Rivas
Patrick Rock
Stella Sakhon
Iman Salehian
Michelle Schnittjer - PUSD parent & LGBTQ+ ally
Sheryl Scott
Kelly Soifer - Leadership Coach & Consultant
Jenny Slattery - Arts administrator
Justin Slosky - Sierra Madre resident
Norah Small - Altadena resident, PUSD grad, PUSD parent
David Spiro - Altadena resident, non-profit executive
Brian Stanley - Educator
Amanda Steiman
Emily Stough - PUSD Parent
Chris Sulzbach - Works at a youth non-profit in Pasadena.
Jada Tarvin
Becky Thyre
Dr. Raquel Torres-Retana
Yarma Velazquez Vargas - Educator, Pasadena resident, PUSD Board trustee
Nancy Verdin
Maureen Iser Vukojevich - Speech-Language Pathologist, PUSD Parent, & Pasadena Resident
Samantha Walnick - Educator
Trustee Alton Wang - Pasadena City College Trustee
KC Wheeler
Rex Wilde - TGX+ Inclusion Consultant
Tasha Wilkins - PUSD parent
Mia Williams - Director of Community Engagement
Erin A. Wimberly - Pasadena Resident & Birthworker
iO Wright
Christy Zamani - Parent, Community Advocate, and Nonprofit Leader
Supporting Businesses and Organizations