Each month of the church year, we share one of our offering plates with a partner organization as part of our congregation’s commitment to social justice and being part of a larger ecosystem working towards a more just and equitable planet. November's dedicated plate will go to the Pink Haven Coalition.

The Pink Haven Coalition is part of a national movement of transgender organizers and allies that formed in response to the increasingly hostile treatment of trans and non-binary individuals who seek gender-affirming counseling and care. In recent years many states have proposed and/or enacted more than 550 legislative acts to criminalize not only those needing such services, but also their providers. This has forced hundreds of American trans or non-binary adults, youth, and their families to travel great distances for counseling and treatment, leading to their being designated as internally displaced people (IDPs) by the United Nations. They have also faced a wave of hate crimes, including homicides, fueled by right-wing disinformation.

In partnership with the UUA and UUSC, Pink Haven has created a support network for trans people and their families who need to relocate across state lines to access healthcare in a safe environment. UUC has its own Pink Haven group that is responding to this crisis by preparing to welcome new arrivals (called “Travelers”) with temporary housing and connection to trans-friendly health and human services. It is important to note that the states and cities where these resources are available (like Seattle) are also places with the highest costs-of-living, particularly in housing. 

It is not clear yet how large a response will be needed locally but, nationally, the trans/non-binary community is bracing for a surge in repressive policies. Funds raised through this plate collection will be split between local and national efforts to help defray some of the financial burdens that Travelers will face. UUC members can also help by offering lodging, rides to appointments, and other basic support.

History has taught us that targeted stigmatization of vulnerable populations is often a precursor to wider authoritarian repression. We can expect this pattern to worsen as a result of this year’s election. We are all pondering how we can be agents of positive change, both in the world and locally. Supporting Pink Haven’s work provides one way to do that. Thank you for your contribution!

Resources:

You can learn more about Pink Haven in this March 2024 article in UU World:

https://www.uuworld.org/articles/relocation-help-trans-people-pink-haven-support-resources-how-it-works.

Also see: Jessica Sapalio. “Living Our Love in the World: Accompaniment as Antidote to Fascism.” UUSC, February 13, 2024:

https://www.uusc.org/living-our-love-in-the-world-accompaniment-as-antidote-to-fascism/

Pink Haven Coalition website:

https://www.pinkhaven.org