At the Heart of Democracy

Sunday, May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). This year's IDAHOBIT theme, "At the Heart of Democracy," serves as a powerful reminder that true democracy cannot exist when LGBTQ+ people are silenced, targeted, or deprioritized in health policy. Nearly every week in 2026 has seen a new piece of legislation proposed across the country that is harmful to our communities. The South in particular continues to see the highest surge of anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant legislation.

Right now, the ACLU is tracking 528 anti-LGBTQ bills across the county as of April 2026. These bills impact the ways in which people can freely express their gender identity, restrict what children can or cannot read in schools, and impact access to healthcare among other issues.  April 16, 2026 Governor Bill Lee signed into law HB2498 which now prohibits TennCare– the state's Medicaid program– from covering or reimbursing gender-affirming medical care. This means TennCare can no longer provide payment for puberty blockers, hormones, transition surgeries and distress related treatment for gender identity. In states like Tennessee with restrictive legislation, the emotional and psychological strain is significant for youth, with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, and demonstrates how the trans community is targeted in particular.

The attacks on the trans community are increasingly widespread. According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, an independent research organization tracking bills that impact trans and gender-diverse people across the United States, there are currently 39 anti-trans bills that have passed and121 more pending. The tracker also reports that the states with the most anti-trans bills under consideration right now are in the South. This includes South Carolina (45 bills), Tennessee (44 bills), Mississippi (16 bills), Florida (14 bills), Georgia (14 bills),  and North Carolina (10 bills). The presence of these bills force those who can, to move out of state– and out of the South– for their own safety and care. 

The South also continues to see harmful anti-immigrant legislation that has led to an increase in racial profiling and intensifying immigration enforcement. As recently as April 2026, the U.S. House approved an outline for $70 billion more in immigration enforcement. In Louisiana HB 307, enacted in late 2025, requires state agencies to verify the citizenship or immigration status of applicants for public benefits. Mississippi went as far as to pass a legislation that makes illegal entry a crime, meaning undocumented immigrants could face up to two years in jail.  Fear of retaliation, arrest, or deportation is detrimental to immigrant communities of all citizenship statuses. It creates fear, emotional distress, and economic instability for Latine immigrant families, including U.S. citizens. There is a clear escalation of anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ policies that are not only stigmatizing our communities but criminalizing their identities and realities. 

LGBTQ+ Latine already face challenges in accessing culturally competent and affordable healthcare. In states with both anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-immigrant laws, queer Latinos often avoid seeking medical care due to fear of deportation or discrimination, leading to unmet healthcare needs and worsening health outcomes. The anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-immigrant policies in the South and beyond also lead to job discrimination for communities that already face increased vulnerability to stigma and exploitation due to limited workplace protections. To make matters worse, across the nation, major slashes to health care and restricted/reduced access to social services are being rolled out. This is largely due to the passing of HR1, the“Big Beautiful Bill” which introduced work requirements to Medicaid that will disproportionately impact Black and Latino communities. Many Latinos work in industries vulnerable to economic instability, such as agriculture, service, or informal labor, where discrimination and legal restrictions further limit their economic mobility and ability to report.

However difficult these circumstances are, LITS and many other community-based groups continue to weave Latino, immigrant, and LGBTQ safety in the South. 

We invite you to join Zero’s May Week of Action against Homophobia/Transphobia, running May 18–22, 2026. The week's theme, “Our Pen, Our Mic,” is a declaration that we refuse to be erased or quiet in the face of injustice. Join us for the following virtual events. 

• May 20th: El Arte Sana (1PM - 2:30 PM EST): 
• May 21st: Centering Sexual Liberation in Latine Health & Wellness (1PM - 2:30 PM EST)
• May 28th: Protecting Care: HIV, Hepatitis & Policy Changes (2PM - 3:00 PM EST)

We also encourage our base to act locally! Identify organizations in your area that are connecting people with resources to navigate these challenges and providing safe spaces of support and connection. Get in touch with us directly to help find services in your area. 

There's a popular saying that says “As goes the South, so goes the nation”. It’s important to continue to track legislation that passes or is even introduced in the South because, for better or worse, it’s an indication of what's to come next in neighboring states or even across the country.