To the editor:
On Trans Day of Visibility, Athens community members gathered to watch the documentary “Heightened Scrutiny” and hear from a panel of local advocates. The film follows ACLU lawyer, Chase Strangio, the first openly transgender person to argue in front of the United States Supreme Court in U.S. v Skrmetti — a case challenging Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban for youth. The screening was held just a week after the ACLU of Ohio argued its case against Ohio’s gender-affirming care ban in the Ohio Supreme Court.
The screening served as a fundraiser for Trans Ohio’s Emergency Fund, with all funds raised dedicated to transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming, two-spirit, and intersex Southeast Ohioans to access in their time of need. You can continue donating to this fund until April 30.
So far, we’ve raised over $6,000! People can apply to receive funds beginning May 1. We’re excited to have this resource to share with our Southeast Ohio trans community — especially when we know the already strained rural healthcare infrastructure has been drastically impacted due to Trump-era polices.
While having this monetary fund for our trans neighbors is incredibly impactful, it is not the only way we can stand together as a community and demand more protections for one another. As more and more anti-trans legislation is introduced nationally and in the Ohio General Assembly, we must encourage our local elected officials to pass local protections of their own. We’re already off to a great start, thanks to Athens’ non-discrimination ordinance and safe haven resolution! We must urge our city council to continue this advocacy by passing a policy that will require all public facing single-occupancy restrooms within Athens city limits to be gender-neutral. Single occupancy restroom ordinances ensure that public facilities are safe and accessible for trans and gender-nonconforming people. Additionally, the affirming signage will remind our trans community members that they are visible, we do see them, they are welcome, and they are loved.
Natalie Johnson
ACLU Ohio, Providers at Queer Care Community Connections (QCCC); and United Campus Ministry (UCM)
Athens, Ohio