🏳️‍⚧️ This Trans Awareness Week (November 13-19, 2024), we celebrate the resilience, diversity, and strength of the transgender community. As we approach Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, we honor those lost to anti-transgender violence and affirm our commitment to building a world where every transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) person can thrive in safety.

As we process the results of the U.S. general election and the reality of a second Trump administration, we are doubling down in our commitment to ensuring every trans and queer person has on-demand access to the verified resources they need to navigate an increasingly hostile landscape. For InReach, this commitment is personal. Our free platform, built by and for LGBTQ+ people, provides access to affirming care—connecting TGNC people to services they can trust even as policies threaten their rights and lives.

The State of TGNC Resource Access in the U.S.

Across the United States, access to affirming care for TGNC people is increasingly shaped by factors such as where someone lives, their age, and socioeconomic status. This year alone, over 660 anti-trans bills have been under consideration in 43 states, with 45 passing into law. A recent peer-reviewed study found that these laws have driven suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary young people up by as much as 72%. Additionally, 18 states still do not have laws prohibiting conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors, further widening the gap between states with supportive policies and those perpetuating harmful legislation.

For TGNC people from diverse backgrounds—such as asylum seekers, refugees, and other newcomers—these challenges are compounded by a U.S. immigration system that fails to provide adequate support. Resettling in states with hostile anti-trans laws creates additional barriers to finding safety and affirming resources, leaving many vulnerable.

This intersection of discriminatory policies and insufficient protections forms a landscape where TGNC people continue to face significant obstacles to living authentically and safely in the U.S.

Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

On Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20th), we honor all the transgender and gender non-conforming lives lost to anti-transgender violence.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has recorded at least 27 transgender and gender-expansive people whose lives were taken by violent means in 2024.
In 2024, 74% of victims were people of color, and 48% were Black transgender women. 63% were killed with a gun, and 38% were killed by a romantic/sexual partner, friend, or family member. 37% of victims were misgendered or deadnamed by authorities or the press.

As we remember those lost, we remain committed to fighting for justice and safety for all transgender and gender-expansive people. Let us honor their memory and continue advocating for a world where everyone can live free from violence and discrimination.

A Message from Our Co-Founder & Executive Director

“We are proud to be a trans-led organization contributing to the fight to ensure that every transgender and gender non-conforming person knows where it is safe to go for help. As a trans man who used the free InReach platform to access affirming legal help and gender-affirming care during my own transition, I know firsthand our potential to help connect other trans people to lifesaving resources. In this moment, with anti-trans legislation and rhetoric on the rise, the need for allyship and action has never been more critical. Supporting trans justice means standing with trans people in tangible ways: by donating to trans-led organizations, volunteering your time, sharing trusted resources, and amplifying the voices and stories that reflect our diverse community. Together, we can resist harmful policies and build a world where every trans person has a future of safety, dignity, and opportunity.”
— Jamie, InReach Co-Founder & Executive Director

How InReach Helps TGNC People Thrive

In this uncertain time, InReach stands as a beacon of hope. Our platform will continue to connect folks in need to thousands of trans-led and trans-focused providers across the country, offering everything from gender-affirming healthcare and legal aid to safe housing and mental health support. InReach’s network of verified providers includes organizations supporting Black trans women, advocating for trans youth, securing asylum for trans people fleeing persecution, centering the needs and leadership of trans people of color, ensuring safety for gender non-conforming folks, uplifting trans masculine people, and more. Together, we’re building a resilient, supportive network—one that can withstand the challenges of the coming years.

Let’s Take Action Together

Here are five ways you can make a meaningful impact this Trans Awareness Week and beyond:

1. 💙 Suggest New Trans Affirming Resources
   Help expand InReach by suggesting trans affirming organizations in your community. Together, we can ensure trans people everywhere have access to the support they need: Suggest here

2. 💗 Share the Free InReach Platform
   Spread the word about InReach’s free, open source platform to TGNC people and their loved ones. Access our free marketing materials here: Marketing materials

3. 💙 Amplify Trans Joy with the #TransMascFutures Campaign
   Celebrate stories of trans joy by supporting the #TransMascFutures Campaign organized by InReach and GLAAD: Learn more

4. 💗 Make a Tax-Deductible Donation
   Help us keep the InReach platform free and accessible to all who need it. Your donation will help ensure more trans young people can reach their futures with safety and dignity: Donate

5. 💙 Join or Share the InReach Young Professionals Board (YPB)
   Join a coalition dedicated to advancing the InReach mission and trans justice across North America. Applications for the 2025 YPB are open, and we encourage allies and community members to join us in this important fight: YPB Program

This week, as we celebrate the beauty and strength of the transgender community and honor the memories of those we’ve lost, let’s commit to doing our part in building a world where every TGNC person has access to the resources they need to live safely, openly, and proudly.

Together, in solidarity, we’ll continue to fight for justice, connection, and a world where TGNC people don’t just survive—they thrive.

– The InReach Team