Activists Block 90% of Anti-LGBTQ Bills Over 15 Years

Love keeps winning, and the numbers prove it.

Over the past 15 years, advocates have successfully defeated roughly 90% of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the United States, according to Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project. That's thousands of proposed restrictions stopped in their tracks by organized communities who refused to back down.

Ben Greene, a trans author and advocate behind the newsletter "Good Queer News," wants more people to understand this track record. Despite the scary headlines about legislative attacks, he says the most powerful response is community solidarity and celebration.

Greene recently released a guide with 50 concrete actions allies can take to support trans and nonbinary people. The suggestions range from simple gestures to sustained advocacy work, all designed to help people move from concern to meaningful action.

Some of his recommendations focus on education. He suggests podcasts like NPR's "Tested" about the history of sex testing in sports, and books like "Before We Were Trans" by Dr. Kit Heyam that show the long global history of gender diversity.

Other actions center on direct support for trans people in your life. Greene recommends sharing good news stories instead of forwarding every frightening headline, asking "What's bringing you joy right now?" instead of "How are you?", and offering specific help like accompanying friends to stressful appointments at the DMV or doctor's office.

For those wanting to support trans youth specifically, Greene highlights resources like his own book "My Child is Trans, Now What?" and Rebecca Minor's "Raising Trans Kids." He encourages people to research their local school boards, attend meetings, and get involved with organizations like PFLAG that provide both support and advocacy.

The Ripple Effect

What makes Greene's approach powerful is the reminder that individual actions add up to collective change. Every person who learns more, speaks up at a school board meeting, or supports a trans-owned business contributes to that 90% success rate.

The guide also emphasizes joy as resistance. Greene suggests creating safe spaces where young trans people can feel completely seen, whether that's a fancy dress up dinner, a spa day, or simply helping them find affirming communities where they can gather with peers.

For those feeling overwhelmed about where to start, Greene's advice is simple: ask the trans people in your life what they need. His favorite question lately is "What does a good friend look like to you right now?"

The message behind all 50 suggestions is clear: pessimism about the future isn't supported by the data, and there are more ways to help than most people realize.

When communities organize, educate themselves, and show up for their trans neighbors, they win far more often than they lose.