Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, June 18th, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Skrmetti, allowing Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth to remain in effect. This decision endangers lives, strips rights, and sets a devastating precedent: that transgender and intersex people—especially youth—are not entitled to the care they need to survive and thrive.

In the face of this cruelty, we love, we care, we need each other.

When the world attacks us, we are our own refuge.
When systems abandon us, we pursue each other in love.
When the law discards us, we show up with care.
When resources are stripped away, we lean in and meet the need.

As we gather in Baltimore at UUA General Assembly, your Unitarian Universalist Association and UUs from across the country and beyond are here with you. Know that your faith affirms you and welcomes you.

Queer, trans, and intersex people of faith are responding with love and care to the need during this challenging time. So much of what is happening at GA is suited for how we should be in community—and how our faith movement is responding to hate in all its forms.

The UUA has issued a powerful response to this ruling, which you can read here: The Unitarian Universalist Association Condemns U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in the United States v. Skrmetti Case

This moment is heartbreaking—but it is not the end. Our love is defiant. Our care is revolutionary. Our community is resilient.

WE are here. You are not forgotten. You are beloved.

Much Love,
Michael

Also read Unitarian Universalist and Civil Rights Lawyer Sam Ames’ article in the Medium: What U.S. v. Skrmetti Did, What it Didn’t Do, and What It Can Never Do