The rain and chilly temperatures didn’t deter a whole lot of individuals from gathering in Union Square on Jan. 10 in a powerful present of support for trans youth in New York City and throughout the nation simply three days earlier than the US Supreme Court was set to listen to two pivotal circumstances difficult state legal guidelines that ban trans women and girls from taking part in sports.
“I want people to know that trans kids are just kids, we just want to live normal lives and be accepted,” mentioned Bea, a scholar, talking on the “Together we Win” rally. “We don’t need to be debated, we need to be cared for.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments within the circumstances West Virginia v BPJ — difficult a state regulation requiring colleges to separate college students on the premise of so-called “biological” intercourse, which was handed in 2021 and struck down in 2024 — and Little v Hecox — which challenges the nation’s first ban on trans women and girls for taking part in sports below any circumstances, and was signed into regulation in Idaho in 2020 however blocked by a decrease courtroom in August 2023.
The consequence of the circumstances will possible decide whether or not states can categorically bar trans women and girls from taking part on ladies’s sports groups, and will extra broadly allow additional marginalization of the trans group.
While trans rights are below assault nationally, “New York will always hold the line, and will continue to be the beacon of both dignity and respect that trans people deserve,” affirmed Kei Williams, government director the NEW Pride Agenda, which organized the rally together with PFLAG NYC, Trans formative Schools and ACT UP, with support from dozens of different organizations.
“Say it loud, say it clear, trans youth are welcome here!” chanted the gang all through the afternoon.
Elected officers additionally pledged their unconditional support to trans youth in New York.
“The full force of my office stands with the trans community now and forever,” mentioned New York Attorney General Letitia James, denouncing that “right now across our nation we are seeing a coordinated attempt to erase and silence the transgender community.”
“New York City will always support trans youth,” mentioned out queer City Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “Transgender lives are not up for debate. Transgender existence is not up for debate.”
This isn’t the primary time New Yorkers turned out sturdy within the face of relentless assaults in opposition to the trans group. Last yr on Feb. 8 1000’s of trans advocates and allies gathered in the same place to face up in opposition to the Trump administration’s assaults, together with the president’s try and ban gender-affirming care for people below the age of 19.
The rally offered a second for trans kids and youth to make their very own voices heard at a time when they’re usually silenced whereas concurrently being incessantly mentioned by lawmakers.
“I came out as a trans girl two years ago, approximately, but I have always been a girl since the day I was born,” defined Valerie, an eighth grader, who described the challenges she confronted adjusting to center college.
“I want people — more people — to voice their support and stand up and stand together with us, so that me and my friends can just be kids and have a happy life,” Valerie mentioned.
“We’ve been told that we’re not real, that we’re bad,” mentioned Simon, a non-binary and trans 12-year-old, who defined, “If I tell someone my pronouns, it means I know you care about me, and I trust you.”
“We will stand together, we will win,” Simon emphasised.
“It’s been a terrifying year for particularly trans youth, whose healthcare is under serious threat, and for all gender non-conforming kids who are being subject to erasure by our president, our federal government,” Stacey McMath, the mom of a trans and nonbinary 12-year-old, informed Gay City News.
“It’s like every day brings yet another completely unfathomable development in the life of our country,” McMath mentioned, referring to the Supreme Court circumstances. “I would like to be hopeful about justice for trans youth, but it’s hard. It’s really, really hard to be hopeful.”
Across the US in 2025, legislators thought of 1,020 anti-trans payments, 125 of which have been handed into regulation, each report excessive numbers, in accordance with the impartial analysis group Trans Legislation Tracker.
“The amount of chronic stress that we live with is out of control,” one other mother or father of a trans baby, who requested to be recognized by their initials T.C., informed Gay City News. “They are being scapegoated, and our children are losing their rights, losing everything that’s promised to them in this country.”
Striking a extra constructive observe, they added, “It always feels amazing to come out here and be surrounded by people who not only love my child, but will fight for my child.”
Speaking from his personal lived expertise, Chris Mosier, the primary trans athlete on Team USA, spoke in regards to the significance of sports in his personal journey.
“Some people say it’s just sports, but sports saved my life,” Mosier mentioned. “They gave me confidence. They gave me community and a purpose. They helped me feel at home in my body. But right now, [across] our country, young trans and non-binary kids do not have that chance.”
Most of the gang watching the rally, made up of queer and trans folks and allies, stayed via its total period, holding up mild blue and pink indicators and umbrellas.
Among them have been Sage and Alex, who held up a hand-painted signal studying “We were trans kids and we’re still trans,” which they made for the event.
“I was a trans kid who played sports, and I stopped partially because I was coming out as trans,” Alex mentioned.
Sage mentioned they felt “powerful” seeing the group’s present of support, however sooner or later they’re hoping to see much more.
“Queer and trans people have already stood up for each other, but we need our cisgendered allies, and I don’t feel like we have enough of that support,” they mentioned.
Naim, who is sort of 13 years outdated, gave the rally’s closing phrases.
“It’s hard enough when you’re figuring out that your body doesn’t match who you know yourself to be. It’s hard enough to have to constantly educate people as though trans and non-binary people haven’t existed for all of eternity,” they mentioned. “But on top of it all, for your government to come after you … now that’s over the top.”
The crowd erupted in cheers as Naim recited the tune “Golden” from the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters: “I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be.”
“We dreamin’ hard, we came so far, now I believe … We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment,” the gang sang in unison.
See some extra photographs beneath:
