The new anti-trans bill in Kansas is one of the most severe and harmful limits that we’ve seen on the freedom and civil rights of our community. We brought the power of our network to Kansas last week when 42 Equality Federation member organizations signed a letter of solidarity with transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and gender diverse Kansans affected by it.

SB 244 restricts the ability of transgender people to use public bathrooms, allows others to sue those in violation of the law, and immediately invalidates Kansans' driver's licenses and birth certificates if the sex marker is different than what was assigned at birth. This law has left countless Kansans scrambling with the knowledge that their driver's licenses and other documents are no longer seen as valid by the state. The ACLU of Kansas has already filed suit to block the law.

The passage of SB 244 is a dangerous step backward. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the community of Kansas and every person impacted. 

"Kansans who cross the border into Missouri every single day woke up unsure if their driver's license is valid," said Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director of PROMO in Missouri. "They don't know if they can legally drive to work, pick up their kids from school, or if they'll be able to vote in upcoming elections. Kansans are our neighbors, friends, and partners. This attack is strategic — the goal is to keep trans Kansans out of public life."

Identification documents are how the government recognizes who we are as individuals, and are a foundational tool for travel and transportation, housing, healthcare, voting, employment, even opening a bank account. Invalidating these documents and restricting access to restrooms are grave attacks on transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and gender diverse Kansans, carrying immediate and practical implications.

Cole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, sees a familiar playbook. "What happened in Kansas is exactly what we're fighting to prevent in Oklahoma. Politicians pick on a small group of people, pass something that restricts freedoms as fast as they can, and count on everyone else looking away. We're not looking away. Borders are arbitrary. Policies that try to further restrict our ability to move freely should scare us all."

"When something like that happens next door, we cannot stay silent," added Nadine Bridges, executive director of One Colorado. "Colorado stands with Kansas. As attacks on LGBTQIA+ people escalate across state lines, we stand in solidarity with our neighbors. Everyone deserves dignity, privacy, and the freedom to live their daily lives without unnecessary government interference. This isn’t partisan. It’s common sense."

To trans and gender diverse Kansans: you are not alone. We see you, we stand with you, and we are not going anywhere.

We encourage you to stand with them by supporting Kansas-based organizations, including Loud Light, the LGBTQ Foundation of Kansas, Trans Women of Color Collective, Equality Kansas, ACLU of Kansas,Our Spot KC, Transformations, and others. The fight is far from over, and we're grateful to organizers, community members, and local groups on the ground in Kansas leading the way.