LGBTQ+ advocates rallied at the New Hampshire Statehouse this week in protest of a slate of bills which they say aim to demonize members of their community.

One bill would ban what advocates said is essential medical care for transgender minors as well as ban the teaching of gender identity in schools. Another bill labels gender-affirming care as child abuse.

Linds Jakows, co-founder of the group 603 Equality, said the bills are part of a coordinated effort nationwide meant to criminalize transgender people.

"Just knowing that these attacks are happening, whether or not they come to pass, is harmful because no one's existence should be up for debate," Jakows asserted.

Roughly 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced nationwide so far this year.

Another bill introduced this session is dubbed a "parents bill of rights" and would require schools to notify parents of any developments related to their child's gender identity or expression.

Abi Maxwell's daughter is transgender. She said the slate of bills has been "terrorizing," and added her family has already had to move once due to bullying and wonders if they'll have to relocate again.

"I just can't believe that if anybody actually looked into our home and saw the harm they were needlessly causing, I can't believe anybody would ever stand for this," Maxwell stated.

Advocates noted one bill has been introduced to provide protections to out-of-state patients accessing gender-affirming health care or mental health care in New Hampshire.


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Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Nevada and around the country are concerned about what a second Trump presidency could mean for their safety, rights and protections.

The Trevor Project's Director of Communications Zach Eisenstein said following Election Day, his organization saw a 700% increase in calls, texts and chats compared to weeks prior.

That's the biggest daily surge since they started offering 24-7 services in 2019.

For years, the organization has provided LGBTQ+ youths help and support for health challenges like depression, anxiety and suicide.

Eisenstein said despite the real fear, he knows the LGBTQ+ community will be resilient.

"We have to acknowledge this is a difficult time and there are many challenges that lie ahead, but this is not new for the LGBTQ+ community," said Eisenstein. "Throughout our history, our community has had to fight for our rights and we will continue to do so just as we always have."

Eisenstein said The Trevor Project's mission will remain the same in 2025 and for years to come no matter who is in the White House.

He added that they've developed a new guide to help folks navigate these challenging times.

It encompasses taking time to disconnect and prioritize mental health to finding community and getting involved with local LGBTQ+ organizations.

Eisenstein said he wants to remind folks that laws and policies don't change overnight.

He added there were some notable wins at the state level with various LGBTQ+ candidates winning state offices.

States also passed ballot measures that'll add protections for marriage equality in Colorado, Hawaii, and California.

"So we are really encouraging folks to just give themselves the permission," said Eisenstein, "to take things one step at a time, and really take care of themselves and their mental health right now."

Nevada's 83rd legislative session begins in February. Eisenstein said his organization will be keeping a close eye and continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ young people.

If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach The Trevor Project by calling 1-866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678-678.

Jackson Lewis, 19, is ready and eager to sit on the nonpartisan Canyons School Board in the south end of Salt Lake Valley. Lewis, who is gay, is also the youngest elected official in Utah. He said winning was a surreal moment, and he will ensure the student perspective is included in education policy discussions and decisions.

Lewis said he's been contacted by folks across his district who are thrilled with his victory and added he's even received messages from people globally who have been paying attention to the recent election, especially in conservative and traditionally 'red' Utah.

"As a gay man, it means a lot to me and it means a lot to the queer students in the district and in Canyons, but even I've spoken to members of the football team, I've spoken to members of the debate team, right? They are all excited about the fact that someone this young, right, is going to be occupying this seat and representing student interests on this board," he said.

The lifelong resident of Midvale and a Hillcrest High School graduate says he is a proud product of the state's public school system and understands the value it holds. Lewis promised to address issues such as chronic absenteeism, increasing teacher pay, and promised to be a "loud" opponent to future book bans.

During Utah's most recent legislative session, House Bill 29 passed and allows parents to challenge books they deem to have "sensitive materials."

Lewis said while he did garner support from younger voters, he also made a conscious effort to connect with older folks who might have been a bit more apprehensive about electing a younger person to office. But he says he found their reception and support to be welcoming and invigorating.

Regardless of who you are or who you voted for, Lewis encourages everyone to get informed and involved.

"You don't have to run for office if you don't want to, if you don't have the time or energy to put into it but just get involved. Know who your elected officials are and make sure that they know who you are too," he continued.

Lewis added that can look like attending local party conventions and meetings, or getting involved at the community level with events of various kinds. He contends Utahns will feel less alone and more connected to their communities during a time of high polarization.


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A New Mexico, LGBTQ civil rights group says a debunked claim by the Trump-Vance presidential campaign that "sex changes" are taking place in schools is being repeated by some state candidates.

Trump has regularly promoted claims that educators are "grooming" or "indoctrinating" children to become gay or transgender.

Equality New Mexico Executive Director Marshall Martinez said the fear tactic also is being used by a handful of Republican New Mexico candidates, who frame transphobic messaging as support for women.

"Regardless of the political stance that people have on trans folks and the issues they face," said Martinez, "when these lies are told in our communities, it hurts the trans people in that community."

Republican former member of Congress Yvette Herrell, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez - D-Las Cruces - has been accused of using coded anti-transgender rhetoric.

She has denied the allegation, stating that "pro-woman" is not anti-LGBTQ.

But Herrell previously voted against bipartisan legislation to protect marriage equality, and supported an abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest.

Martinez said that research done by Equality New Mexico found 53% of state residents have a close personal relationship with someone who is transgender.

"When these politicians or candidates are spreading lies about surgeries," said Martinez, "and about forcing young people to become trans or pushing an agenda, what they're doing is attacking those close personal relationships we all have."

There is no evidence that gender-affirming surgery has ever occurred at a public school in the U.S, or that a school has sent a student to receive the surgery elsewhere.

Already about half of U.S. states ban transition-related surgery for minors - and where it's legal, it's still very rare.

Transgender young people who experience discrimination have been linked to suicidal ideation and self-harm.