question: what would you do if you could make things better for LGBTQ+ youth in your community or at your school?
second question: what if you could get a grant to actually help fund your project and make it a reality?
well we gotchu!
since 2022, we've awarded $1.6 million in funding to 170 youth-led projects across the U.S., including things like gender-affirming clothing closets, regional LGBTQ+ youth conferences, student wellness programs and safe spaces, and inclusive arts and education projects.
and yup, we're doing it again.
with It Gets Better: Changemakers, we want to help you create a lasting impact at your school, your library, your local LGBTQ+ center, or wherever it’s needed most in your own local community.
maybe a community service project? hosting a Queer Homecoming? painting a downtown Pride mural? let's dooo it!
you can apply now for a grant through May 3, 2026 at itgetsbetter.org/changemakers.
P.S.: Look out for upcoming info sessions where we'll answer all your FAQs about the application and funding process. Can't wait to see your ideas. 💜
new single out today for pride month. “we’re still here.”
all proceeds split between the LGBT Foundation of Newark and Mermaids UK.
half to my local org. half to trans youth support across the atlantic.
i’ve made a lot of noise under different names. different genres. this one’s just a pride anthem from an enby bi singer‑songwriter who’s still here. we’re still here.
pay what you want. every cent goes to the charities.
https://lowercaset.bandcamp.com/track/were-still-here-charity-single
I will die before I willingly let you hurt them. I am not one for gender roles and I am not one for tradition. But as a man I feel like as if it is my duty and honor to protect these demographics. To ensure a world where they can grow happy and live extremely fruitful lives.
The history of transgender people is complex and varied, stretching back to ancient civilisations and continuing through to the present day. While there is no single narrative that can capture the full breadth of transgender experience, there are certain key moments and figures that have helped shape our understanding of gender identity and expression.
One of the earliest recorded examples of transgender identity comes from the ancient Sumerian civilisation in Mesopotamia, where priests and priestesses of the goddess Inanna would sometimes dress in clothing associated with the opposite sex and perform rituals that blurred traditional gender boundaries. In other cultures, such as the Native American tribes of the Two-Spirit tradition or the hijra communities of India, individuals who did not conform to traditional gender roles were often revered as having special spiritual or healing powers.
The modern concept of transgender identity emerged in the mid-20th century, when medical professionals began to recognise that some people experienced a persistent and distressing sense of incongruity between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth. This led to the development of gender-affirming medical treatments such as hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery.
One of the earliest known examples of gender-affirming medical treatment took place in Germany in the 1920s, when Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld established the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin. The institute offered medical and psychological support to people who experienced gender dysphoria, as well as advocating for legal and social recognition of transgender identity.
Unfortunately, the institute was destroyed by the Nazis in 1933, and many of its patients and staff members were killed or forced into hiding. It was not until the 1950s and 60s that transgender identity began to be more widely recognized in Western medical and psychological circles, thanks in part to the pioneering work of researchers such as Dr. Harry Benjamin.
In 1952, Benjamin published "The Transsexual Phenomenon," which outlined a clinical framework for understanding and treating gender dysphoria. He argued that transgender people should be allowed to access medical interventions such as hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery in order to align their bodies with their gender identity, and he helped establish the standards of care that are still used by many medical professionals today.
Throughout the 20th century, transgender people faced significant discrimination and marginalisation, particularly in the United States. Laws and social norms restricted their access to healthcare, education, employment, and other basic rights, and they were often subject to harassment and violence.
In the 1960s and 70s, however, transgender activists began to organise and advocate for their rights, paving the way for greater recognition and acceptance of transgender identity in the decades that followed. In 1975, for example, the first international conference on transgender rights was held in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing together activists from around the world to share their experiences and strategies.
Today, transgender people continue to face many challenges, including discrimination, violence, and lack of access to healthcare. However, there have also been significant gains in terms of legal protections and social acceptance, particularly in many Western countries. Transgender celebrities such as Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner have helped to raise awareness and visibility of transgender issues, and many organisations and advocacy groups are working to promote transgender rights and equality.
The history of transgender people is one of resilience and resistance, as individuals and communities have fought to assert their identities and secure their rights. While there is still much work to be done, the progress that has been made in recent decades provides hope for a more inclusive and just future.
I really have nothing to say here, I just really appreciate the steps my family’s been taking to help me and I hope that it happens with all of your families too
Arkansas Governor Vetoes Anti-Trans Bill That Would Have Limited Health Care For Minors https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arkansas-governor-vetoes-anti-trans-bill_n_606b5382c5b6832c793a1fc9 https://www.instagram.com/p/CNS2sRrh0As/?igshid=1j5g8n3osbswv
