Help Arkansas Trans Girl Get Safe Medical Care

Shirley and AJ currently live in Northeast Arkansas, where they have little support. This spring, the state passed HB 1570, making it illegal for transgender youth to receive appropriate medical care. It is one of many anti-trans bills, making Arkansas the most dangerous state for transgender youth. [Read more here: https://time.com/5953363/trans-youth-arkansas/ ] Not only is AJ prevented from receiving gender affirming care, she also faces harmful (and state sponsored) hate and maltreatment at school and in public. 

Arkansas is one of only three states that doesn’t have an anti-hate crime law. With the new laws, teachers must now deadname, misgender, and out their trans students, and trans students must use the restroom that corresponds with the gender assigned at birth. Further, mtf trans students may not participate in sports, and adults have authority to INSPECT a suspected trans athlete to determine gender assigned at birth. 

As many families with transgender children and teens flee the state, the most vulnerable, those without resources or means to leave, are left to fend for themselves. Please help give Shirley and AJ a fighting chance at a safe and peaceful existence in a place without barbaric laws, and with the support that all children deserve, especially our most vulnerable. Shirley hopes to relocate to Olympia, WA this spring/summer, but as a single mom with a fixed income, she needs our help. No donation is too small. Every single bit helps. If you can’t donate, please share. Share far and wide.