01/23/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EgvcwZXSR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
A letter from our Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Today marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, one that comes with profound challenges for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. As we look ahead, it is clear that we are entering a period where our fundamental rights, identities, and very humanity may face heightened threats.
The LIAM Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to protect and support our community. We are already witnessing an alarming rise in legislation and rhetoric targeting LGBTQ+ people—policies that seek to ban gender-affirming care, restrict discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in schools, and deny access to inclusive spaces. These are not just legal maneuvers; they are deliberate attempts to marginalize and erase our identities.
Alongside these legislative attacks, hate crimes and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly Black trans women, remain at crisis levels. And the mental health challenges within our community—compounded by anxiety, depression, and systemic oppression—demand urgent attention.
Now is not the time for quiet patience. This is the moment to demand accountability, to speak up, and to act. If you witness discrimination, report it. If you see violence or hate crimes, document and report them. If someone’s rights are under threat, be their advocate. We must stand up for one another, refuse to be bystanders, and hold systems accountable.
We cannot let these attacks divide us. As much as there may be efforts to pit communities against one another, we must resist and remain united. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. This is why solidarity is so critical—showing up for each other is a powerful act of resistance.
At The LIAM Foundation, we are committed to providing safe spaces, support systems, and advocacy for our community. These lifelines are crucial, especially now. Together, we can ensure that every person has a place to turn, a voice to amplify their needs, and a community that embraces them.
As we face these challenges, let us hold tightly to the truths that sustain us: the right to self-determination, bodily autonomy, and the freedom to exist as our true selves. These are not just ideals; they are the foundation of our humanity.
Until every person can live in the full expression of these rights, our work is not finished. Together, we will continue to build a world where everyone’s personhood is respected, protected, and celebrated.
In solidarity,
Phyllis Gallisath
Executive Director
The LIAM Foundation
