South Bay Queer Solidarity

Takeaway: Whatever your passion is, you can use that to uplift your community.

Still thinking about the amazing talk @erininthemorning.com gave last week on trans resilience in the current moment.

Shout out also to Charity Spicer for opening the event with an inspiring talk about being a student journalist.

#TransRightsAreHumanRights

If you stopped by the SBQS table, you should have received an email from us. If you haven't, signup for our mailing list using the link on our website (link in bio). Check out our other posts for our upcoming events. (3/3)

Erin talked about how queer people have always been here, what brought us to the moment we're in right now, and how we can move forward.

Thank you to the Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs for hosting this amazing event! (2/3)

Erin Reed and another woman stand beside each other behind a purple table decorated with pride flags and SBQS fliers. Behind them, a large window is covered a mosaic of photographs and blocks of colors.

A woman and a man standing behind the table speak to interested people. In the background behind a nearby table is a trans flag poster with text over it that reads: Trans rights are human rights.

It was fantastic to meet @erininthemorning.com last night! She gave an inspiring and grounding talk on Community Resilience In the Modern Rainbow Scare. One takeaway: when you're trans, doing what brings you joy and sharing that joy with others can be activism, too. (1/3)
#TransRightsAreHumanRights

Red and pink graphic with an illustration of a first aid kit wearing a rainbow party hat. Text reads: Presented by South Bay Queer Solidarity: Disaster Preparedness Party! Sunday, March 15 at 1-4pm, San José Peace & Justice Center, https://sbqsolidarity.carrd.co/ | sbqsolidarity@protonmail.com | @sbqsolidarity.

Red and pink graphic with an illustration of a first aid kit wearing a rainbow party hat. Text reads: We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re prepared! Build-your-own emergency kit; Activity stations - get a sticker for each one you complete!; Emergency contact forms and maps; Digital security checklist; Plan for natural disasters.

Join us on March 15th for a FREE afternoon of fun and disaster preparedness!

Sunday, March 15
1-4pm
San José Peace & Justice Center

Extra thank you to Matthew Cortland for writing the guide above. We are not affiliated with Matthew but are grateful for these guidelines!

Learn more about the rules and what to say: www.patreon.com/posts/commen...

Direct links:
- Rule 1: Hospital Ban (CMS-3481-P): www.regulations.gov/commenton/CM...
- Rule 2: Medicaid/CHIP Funding Ban (CMS-2451-P): www.regulations.gov/commenton/CM...

Thank you for protecting trans youth. (3/3)

These rules would have a huge negative impact on trans youth seeking gender-affirming care.

Commenting will not make the administration to change course. However, each comment in support of gender affirming care makes a stronger case for upcoming lawsuits against these changes. (2/3)

Comment on Rules About Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth
Deadline to comment: Tues, Feb. 17, 2pm PT | 5pm ET

The 60-day public comment period on two proposed anit-trans Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules is coming to a close.

Details below. (1/3)
#TransRightsAreHumanRights

California AG Bonta Files Groundbreaking Lawsuit Against Rady Children’s Hospital for Dropping Trans Youth GAC “If my child had a different diagnosis, they would likely have a surgery date tomorrow. But because of who my child is, the door was closed.”

For the first time ever, a state AG has filed a lawsuit to force a hospital back into providing gender affirming care for transgender youth.

Our writer, S. Baum, dove deep and spoke with families that helped make this happen.

You're going to want to read our latest, incredible story.

🚨🏳️‍⚧️CALL TO ACTION: Let the U.S. CMS know you OPPOSE their proposed regulation to ban Medicaid and CHIP coverage for gender affirming care for trans youth!
🚨Please submit public comment before 2/17/26 to the Federal Register to let them know you are opposed: tinyurl.com/CMSYouthGAC

Rocks that have been painted with LGBTQ+ flags and colors. The one in the center says Your Gender Rocks! in trans flag colors.

A colander of oranges

A vegetable garden. A trans flag is visible in one corner

A person's hand holding a donut. The donut is glazed with bright pink icing. The person is white and their nail polish is iridescent green.

Photo dump from January volunteer day at Quest House!

The CA Legislative LGBTQ Caucus issued the following statement after the release of 2 long-awaited proposed rules by the federal Department of HHS’ CMS that aim to limit life-saving, medically necessary health care for transgender youth across the nation.

lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/node/215
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[1] www.reckon.news/lgbtq/2023/0...
[2 ] www.advocate.com/news/cisgend...
[3] www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...
[4] www.advocate.com/news/2022/11...

SBQS Statement on SJSU Title IX investigation Today, the Trump administration concluded a one year investigation into San Jose State University, stating that San Jose State University (SJSU) has violated Title IX by allowing transgender Americans to exist on campus. From the same administration that rejected investigations into the executions of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, comes the conclusion of a yearlong intimidation campaign. Despite there being no federal laws that prevent transgender Americans from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity, the Trump administration tells you that Title IX demands it. At the same time, they argue in front of the Supreme Court that these demands should have no bearing on the court’s imminent ruling on Title IX. 1/5

SBQS Statement on SJSU Title IX investigation These attacks erode the rights of everyone. California has explicit protections for our rights to privacy, anti-discrimination, and gender identity. Regardless of your transgender status, these attacks by the administration will erode your rights to self-expression. By attempting to force SJSU to curtail Californians’ rights through limitations on bathroom access and expansive definitions of sex discrimination, the Trump administration wishes to transform Title IX into an attack on Title VII and California’s constitution. The witch hunts of the past targeted women with spurious claims under the pretenses of safety and social contagion. Similarly, today’s attacks on transgender individuals will affect trans and cisgender women particularly. 2/5

SBQS Statement on SJSU Title IX investigation There are under 10 transgender athletes in the NCAA. Transgender people account for less than 2% of the population. And as we have seen time[1] after time[2] after time[3] after time[4] again, attacks on transgender status often become proxies to attack any woman. When anyone can force segregation by claiming you belong to a specific class of people, we all are segregated. Trans, nonbinary, and intersex people should be able to play sports with the team that best aligns with their identity. Nobody should be required to show their papers to use the bathroom. Anything else is discrimination. 3/5

SBQS Statement on SJSU Title IX investigation We appreciate SJSU’s handling of the situation thus far, and we call on them to continue to fight for our rights as Californians. This administration aims to divide and punish us, and we call on SJSU to stand resolute in its defense of the rights of all members, not just those of transgender status. Everyone’s rights are at stake. We stand in solidarity with affected members of our community, and we will continue to stand with institutions that stand with us. - South Bay Queer Solidarity 4/5

SBQS' statment on the federal government's intimidation campaign against SJSU.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs pro-LGBTQ+ bills, but vetos "critical" trans medication bill - LGBTQ Nation The California governor is playing catch up with trans community, but some say he dropped the ball with one particular veto.

Unfortunately, Newsom vetoed SB 418 (Ensure Equal Access to Care for All). However, the bills he did sign are a huge step forward in trans rights for Californians—and we can fight again another day. Learn more about these and other pro-LGBTQ+ bills he just signed: www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/gov-...

Remember those bills we called Governor Newsom about? It worked! He signed 4 of the 5 bills into law.

Together, they strengthen the privacy protections to reduce the risk of doxxing for #trans Californians, and they streamline the name and gender change process.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights

Action Needed: Urge Governor Newsom to Sign Five Critical Trans Rights Bills TransFamily Support Services is proud to co-sponsor five critical trans rights bills that have officially passed the California Legislature. This is a major victory—one made possible through a powerfu...

A huge win for trans people in California: the state legislature passed five bills protecting our rights!

Now it's time to call on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign them. Contact him before October 12th: transfamilysos.org/action-neede...

#TransRights #TransYouth #TransCalifornia

The bills are:
🏳️‍⚧️SB 418 (Menjivar) – Ensure Equal Access to Care for All
🏳️‍⚧️AB 82 (Ward) – Health Data Privacy and Safety
🏳️‍⚧️SB 59 (Wiener) – Transgender Privacy Act
🏳️‍⚧️SB 497 (Wiener) – Transgender State of Refuge
🏳️‍⚧️AB 1084 (Zbur) – The Transgender Records Act

#TransRightsAreHumanRights

Action Needed: Urge Governor Newsom to Sign Five Critical Trans Rights Bills TransFamily Support Services is proud to co-sponsor five critical trans rights bills that have officially passed the California Legislature. This is a major victory—one made possible through a powerfu...

A huge win for trans people in California: the state legislature passed five bills protecting our rights!

Now it's time to call on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign them. Contact him before October 12th: transfamilysos.org/action-neede...

#TransRights #TransYouth #TransCalifornia

Graphic with the same info about the potluck and meeting

It's time for our monthly potluck and general meeting!

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
✨Potluck: 6-7 PM, San Jose, CA
✨Meeting: 7-8:30 PM (hybrid: in person and over Zoom)

For location, sign up with SBQS: form.jotform.com/250456912942...

Can't make it to our next volunteer day on August 16th but still want to help? Donate directly to Quest House to help them continue to provide a comfortable, affirming, and safe atmosphere for trans folks healing from surgery! (2/2)
questhousesf.org/donate/

A pile of pulled weeds

A garden full of vegetables with a trans flag visible in the background

A bed of herbs with a small trans flag in the dirt

A cute dog

SBQS organizes a monthly volunteer day at @questhousehealing.bsky.social. We garden, pull weeds & flip rooms to prepare for the next guest. We also eat a lot of donuts! Join us at our next volunteer day to do something tangible to improve the lives of trans folks. (1/2)
#TransSolidarity #BayAreaLGBT

Poster for the musical at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

Support trans artists tell stories and show Mountain View's Center for the Performing Arts that queer art is beautiful and popular! SBQS is going to this musical together. We get discounted tickets. Sign up for our newsletter to get details!

Orange and yellow poster with the SBQS logo and graphics of different kinds of chips and dip. Text reads: SBQS Social: 1st ever... Chip Off! Bring your favorite chip flavor and/or dip or come and enjoy different kinds of chips! What is the best flavor? Will your favorite win? May the best chip flavor win! When: July 13th and 3PM. For location and more information, join the SBQS newsletter: https://sbqsolidarity.carrd.co/

SBQS Social: Chip-off!
Sunday, July 13 at 3pm in Mountain View

What is the best chip? SBQS is going to decide once and for all! Bring a bag of your favorite chip. We'll taste-test and cast votes for Best Chip! (Do not bring assorteds/medleys such as Chex Mix or Munchies.)

Sign up for details!

Graphic with date of the potluck and general meeting and a QR code to sign up.

Join us for our first ever ✨potluck✨! It will be followed by our monthly general meeting.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025
✨Potluck: 6-7 PM, San Jose, CA
✨Meeting: 7-8:30 PM (hybrid: in person and over Zoom)

For location, sign up with SBQS: form.jotform.com/250456912942...

At times like these, supportive electeds who are open to learning about our lives will be essential to protecting our futures. To schedule a Trans 101 for your group or office, email sbqsolidarity@protonmail.com (2/2)

Eight people stand in front of a TV screen that reads Trans 101

We had a great time presenting our Trans 101 talk to @liccardo.house.gov's staff last week at his district office here in San Jose. It was great sharing our experiences and learning more about how Rep. Liccardo has supported the trans community. (1/2)

#Trans #PrideMonth #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

Sign now to take action against Trump's transphobic attacks Trump’s anti-trans agenda is clear: stripping protections, banning gender-affirming care & forcing trans women into men’s prisons. California can fight back with SB 59 to protect trans privacy! Sign n...

California must lead with courage – not cave to hate.

✊🏽 Add your name to demand SB 59 is passed and signed into law. 👉 action.allout.org/en/m/faf13ca...

#TransRights #SB59 #ProtectTransPrivacy #California #AllOut