Spring greetings...

C. Scott Miller [CA] & Emilly Osterling [NC]
cochair@nea-lgbtqc.org

As we move further into 2026, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States remains as urgent as ever. Across the country, new laws and legal battles are shaping the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in areas of education, healthcare, and public life. From ongoing challenges to gender-affirming healthcare to the rise of “Don’t Say Gay” laws and transgender sports bans, this year has seen continued momentum in both the defense and restriction of LGBTQ+ rights.

As always, the NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus is committed to keeping you informed about the evolving legal landscape and supporting efforts to create a more inclusive society for all.

As of 2026, the landscape of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the United States remains a significant point of contention, with ongoing developments and shifting political dynamics. Here’s an updated overview of the current state of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and policies, reflecting the evolving legal and social climate.

Thank you for being part of this vital conversation. Together, we can continue to advocate for a future where equality is not just an ideal, but a reality.

In Pride,
Scott & Emilly
CoChairs

Key Trends in Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation (2026)

1. Ongoing “Don’t Say Gay” Laws and Expansion

In 2026, Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law (commonly known as “Don’t Say Gay”) continues to be one of the most well-known and controversial laws, expanding to include higher grades beyond just K-3. The law has been increasingly challenged in court, but it remains a powerful symbol for opponents of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in education. Other states, including Texas and Georgia, have passed similar laws in the years following Florida’s lead. These laws generally prohibit discussions about LGBTQ+ topics in public schools, particularly around younger students, and create an environment where educators are afraid to address LGBTQ+ topics for fear of legal consequences.

2. Transgender Healthcare Restrictions

Bans on gender-affirming care for minors remain a key battleground. States like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama continue to enforce restrictions on puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for transgender minors. However, the fight over healthcare access for transgender youth is ongoing, with legal challenges still taking place. In some states, such as California, New York, and Illinois, there are efforts to expand access to gender-affirming care and protect transgender minors from state-level bans. The American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other medical organizations continue to assert the importance of gender-affirming care for mental health, making this issue one of the most contentious in state legislatures.

3. Transgender Sports Bans

As of 2026, transgender women in particular continue to face challenges when it comes to competing in women’s sports. States like Florida, South Dakota, and Mississippi have enacted laws banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports at the high school and collegiate levels. These laws have led to significant legal and public debates about fairness, inclusion, and the potential negative consequences for transgender youth. While proponents argue that these laws preserve “fair play,” opponents argue that they further marginalize transgender people and do not take into account the many barriers transgender athletes face.

4. Bans on Drag Performances

Drag bans in various forms are still on the rise. Laws in states such as Tennessee, Montana, and Florida have made it illegal to perform drag shows in places where minors might be present. These laws are often portrayed as a defense of “public decency,” but critics argue they are aimed at suppressing LGBTQ+ expression, particularly drag culture, which has long been a hallmark of LGBTQ+ visibility and solidarity. In some cases, these bans have led to cancellations of drag events or performances, prompting significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and allies, who see it as a form of censorship.

5. Anti-Transgender Bathroom Laws

While some states like North Carolina have relaxed their bathroom laws following initial backlash, others,
including Kansas and West Virginia, have continued efforts to restrict transgender people’s access to public restrooms corresponding with their gender identity. These laws often spark major public debates around privacy, safety, and the rights of transgender people to live freely and access public spaces without discrimination.

6. Religious Freedom and Anti-Discrimination Laws

In some states, religious exemption bills have been introduced or passed, allowing businesses or individuals to refuse services to LGBTQ+ people based on religious beliefs. These laws are framed as protecting religious freedom, but they are widely seen as a legal shield for discrimination. There is also increased scrutiny of anti-discrimination policies at the federal level, with states like Texas and South Carolina pushing for laws that could allow businesses and healthcare providers to refuse services to LGBTQ+ people based on religious beliefs.

7. Federal and State Court Challenges

Many of these state laws are facing ongoing legal challenges in court. Courts have overturned some laws, while others remain in effect, with appeals ongoing. A major shift in 2024 saw the Supreme Court hear several cases related to LGBTQ+ rights, including the legality of transgender sports bans and bathroom laws. Legal experts predict that as the 2026 elections approach, the outcome of these cases could influence not only the future of LGBTQ+ protections but also the political landscape in the U.S.

LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Mobilization

• LGBTQ+ activists and advocacy organizations are continuing to mobilize and challenge anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Groups like Lambda Legal, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have been active in litigation, lobbying, and public education efforts to resist anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
• Public support for LGBTQ+ rights has generally grown, especially in the wake of major events like Pride Month and high-profile moments of solidarity from corporations, celebrities, and social media influencers.

Shifting Political Dynamics

• The 2026 midterm elections and future presidential races will likely play a significant role in shaping the trajectory of LGBTQ+ rights. In states where LGBTQ+ issues are key political issues, candidates on both sides are engaging in debates over the role of government in regulating LGBTQ+ rights.
• National organizations continue to push for federal protections for LGBTQ+ people, but with a divided Congress and shifting political allegiances, it’s uncertain whether significant federal legislation like the Equality Act will pass.

Overall Outlook

While significant progress in LGBTQ+ rights has been made over the past decade, the U.S. continues to see a patchwork approach to LGBTQ+ issues, with some states offering strong protections while others enact more restrictive measures.

LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth, are feeling the pressure of these laws, and while activism and legal challenges continue to grow, there are signs that the next few years could see significant legal and social battles on these issues.

From the Desk of the Treasurer

Michael Hill[CA]
treasurer@nea-lgbtqc.org

Happy spring, caucus members, from the treasurer’s desk!

It’s that time of year when you can begin renewing your caucus membership for 2026-27. If you renew prior to the NEA RA and are an elected delegate you can pick up your membership materials at the caucus booth. Those who do not attend the RA, your membership materials will be mailed from Denver at the conclusion of the RA.

If you have not purchased your tickets for Robert Birle Memorial Dinner do so soon, the dinner is almost sold out and is set to be the largest we have ever had.

We are currently in a very strong financial condition and it’s incredibly important that we maintain that position in these very difficult times. We need to leverage our financial resources to continue to fight against the tide of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country.

In Solidarity & Pride,
Michael, Treasurer

From the Desk of the Secretary

Sonia Martin-Solis [CA]
secretary@nea-lgbtqc.org

Happy Spring! 

I hope that you all have been able to enjoy some of the beauty that usually comes with this time of year. If you are in California, like I am, I know you are looking forward to some cooler weather.  Unless you love scorching heat. I know that our Northeastern states have been experiencing the exact opposite. I hope your cold weather eases up so that you may enjoy the beauty that Spring promises you. 

I have just a few notes for all of you, and a couple of reminders. Also, I highly suggest reading all of the zone reports (even if it is just skimming them) you may find some great information that will inspire, inform, or even educate you about some of the other things that are available out there.

NEA CRSJ Pre-Conference:

If you are attending the NEA Representative Assembly this summer, also consider attending the CRSJ Pre-Conference. Registration was scheduled to open on April 1st. Let’s have a presence there and make sure that we are active participants of the Center’s work. Social Justice includes all of our communities. Be a part of the work and gather information first hand. Your presence, especially in all of our intersectional identities, is critical. This conference is a bargain, and if you are already scheduled to attend the RA, come in a couple of days early and learn about a multitude of issues that may interest you personally and/or professionally. 

Denver Pride Parade:

I know some of you like to go in early for the RA, or stay late, after the end of the RA. This year, Denver Pride will be happening a couple of days before the Center for Racial and Social Justice Pre-Conference. If this is something you are willing to participate in, we are trying to get a group organized to march in the parade, or to help with a potential booth that will be hosted by the Denver local, the Colorado state association, or the National Education Association (NEA). The parade will be on June 28, 2026. Consider coming out and showing your pride, your support, and your joy.

Self Identification at registration:

One request from all of our members who are attending the Representative Assembly in Denver. When you register for the NEA RA, please consider filling out ALL sections of the registration process. NEA will only have an accurate view of who our members are if they SELF IDENTIFY. This is critical to NEA’s Bylaw 3.1-g as it pertains to the ethnic minority representation. We also want to make sure that our LGBTQ+ numbers are also accurate. We need to be visible for NEA to understand how many of us come to do the business of the NEA, and how that business needs to include our LGBTQ+ Community.

Caucus Elections:

The nominations for Female/non-Binary Co-chair and the Secretary closed on April 15th. After April 15th, the nominations for the Female/Non-Binary Co-Directors for each zone will open. After that day, if you are interested in running for one of the 4 positions, email the co-chairs and inform them of your intent to run. Be sure to indicate, in your email, what zone you will be running for. Elections, if there is a need, will take place during the RA via electronic voting.

One final note:

The Campaign Lab:

At the end for February, beginning of March, we had a Campaign Lab training opportunity for State and Local members who wished to participate in some joint work. If you wanted to “do a thing” in your state or local, and you have a group of people who want to “work on that thing” with you, you could have come and learned some skills, strategies, ideas, etc. on how you could move forward with your idea.

This being our first time doing this work, on this scale, was very successful. We had member teams from 19 different states who worked the entire time and were very engaged throughout. As an officer of the caucus, I was thrilled to be there to support the various teams with some of the work they were doing, including being caught off guard by an impromptu Q & A (thank you Montana) that was meant to help craft their “pitch” to members when recruiting back home. I know that all the officers present felt this time was well worth it for all present.

We are looking forward to seeing how all of your campaigns develop and continue to evolve so that you are able to have more impact on the work you are doing back in your locals and your states.

In Unity & Pride,
Sonia, Secretary

A Message from the Outreach Director

Darell Crawford-Parker [CO]
outreach@nea-lgbtqc.org

Building Community in a Time of Challenge and Change

As Outreach Director for the National Education Association LGBTQ+ Caucus, I am reminded daily that outreach is more than communication—it is connection, protection, and collective action.

We are living in a time when LGBTQ+ students and educators are navigating increasing legislative attacks, curriculum restrictions, book bans, and harmful misinformation. Across the country, policies targeting transgender and nonbinary youth, restricting inclusive curriculum, and silencing educators are creating uncertainty and, in many cases, fear. Yet even in this climate, our commitment remains unwavering.

Legislative Shifts Impacting Our Schools

From pronoun policies to restrictions on LGBTQ+ representation in classrooms, education has become a central battleground. As educators and union members, we must stay informed and prepared. Outreach means ensuring our members understand their rights, have access to accurate information, and know how to mobilize when harmful legislation emerges. Solidarity across state lines matters more than ever.

Mental Health and Safe Schools

For many LGBTQ+ students, school is the safest place they know. Affirming educators, visible allies, and inclusive policies are not symbolic—they are lifesaving. We must continue to champion trauma-informed practices, support Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), and advocate for policies that protect every student’s dignity. Outreach means building networks of care so no educator or student feels isolated.

Protecting Inclusive Curriculum and Academic Freedom

The rise in book challenges and curriculum censorship is an attempt to erase lived experiences. Representation in literature and history affirms identity and fosters empathy. As a Caucus, we must equip educators with tools to respond professionally and strategically while standing firm in defense of academic freedom.

Intersectionality Must Remain Central

Our LGBTQ+ community is not monolithic. Race, disability, immigration status, faith, and socioeconomic background all shape lived experiences. Outreach requires intentional inclusion—amplifying the voices of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ educators, supporting colleagues in rural districts, and ensuring disability justice is part of our advocacy. Equity must be layered and comprehensive.

Supporting LGBTQ+ Educators

Many LGBTQ+ educators still weigh the risks of being fully visible in their schools and communities. Creating professional safe spaces within our union, building mentorship pipelines, and cultivating leadership opportunities are critical. Outreach is relationship-building. It is ensuring every member knows they belong—not just in theory, but in practice.

Combating Disinformation with Facts and Courage

Misinformation about gender identity and inclusive education continues to spread. Our response must be grounded in research, compassion, and clarity. We must provide members with talking points, policy guidance, and moral support when facing hostile rhetoric. Knowledge is power, but collective action is impact.

Centering Joy and Excellence

While we respond to urgent challenges, we must also celebrate. LGBTQ+ educator excellence. Student leadership. Pride initiatives in our schools. Stories of resilience. Joy is not a distraction from advocacy—it is fuel for it.

As Outreach Director, I ask:

• How are we connecting?
• How are we mobilizing?
• How are we protecting?
• How are we uplifting?

Outreach is not just about sending messages. It is about building community in times when community is most needed. It is about ensuring every LGBTQ+ educator and ally within our union feels informed, supported, and empowered to act.

Together, we will continue to advocate, educate, and organize—because our students deserve nothing less, and our members deserve everything we can build collectively.

In solidarity,
Darell, Outreach Director

ZONE 1

Kirsten Frazier [MA] & Tony Martinet [VA]
zone1@nea-lgbtqc.org

Hi Zone 1 Members -

Just a short note from your Zone 1 Co-Directors this time. We want to celebrate the work that was done at the Campaign Lab gathering in Philadelphia, where teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey were hard at work planning campaigns to increase membership and grow union power at the local and state levels.

We look forward to seeing the progress of these teams and are cheering them on! If you are interested in participating in a Campaign Lab program, please reach out to one of us for more details.

We also want to remind folks that the NEA RA is coming up soon! The caucus has several exciting events planned, including the Ichabod Crane Debating Society reception on July 3 and a family-friendly Drag Brunch on July 6 (both at Champagne Tiger), as well as the Caucus Dinner on July 5 at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel.

There are still tickets available for the dinner; please read the recent email from the Steering Committee Co-chairs for ticket information. We are looking forward to seeing you all in Denver!

As always, please reach out to either of us if you have any questions or need support for your local caucuses!

In solidarity,
Kirsten & Tony, Zone 1 Co-Directors

ZONE 2

Kristel Behrend [NC] & Zach Fisher [KY]

ZONE 3

Stacy Schmidt [IA] & Frank Burger [MI]
zone3@nea-lgbtqc.org

Hello and Happy Spring from your Zone 3 co-directors, Frank and Stacy!

As we head into spring and the mad rush to the end of the school year, we want to take a moment to pause and focus on a major issue facing our community within our Zone.

By now many of you have probably heard about the anti-trans legislation that was passed in Kansas. SSB 244, passed into law over the governor’s veto, prohibits trans people from using public restrooms on government property that align with their gender identity. Perhaps the most heinous portion of this law is that it establishes a private right of action that allows anyone who suspects someone is transgender and in violation of the law to sue that person for “damages” totaling $1,000. Yes, you read that correctly - a trans person can be sued and fined for using a restroom on government property that does not align with their sex assigned at birth. 

The law also invalidates Kansas driver’s licenses with updated gender markers that do not align with a person’s sex assigned at birth and prohibits Kansans from updating the gender marker on state-issued birth certificates and driver’s licenses in the future. 

Thankfully, two brave Kansans, with the support of the ACLU and other organizations, have filed suit against this law. But as the challenge works its way through the courts, trans Kansans are facing significant hardships and difficult decisions. Even the choice of whether to drive to work on what is now a suspended license is one that some Kansans are having to make every day. 

We know that our community has a history of stepping up to help when needed. And our trans siblings in Kansas need us now. Please check out the links on the image below for ways to help contribute to trans Kansans. If you’re unable to donate or are too far away to help support in Kansas, look into local mutual aid groups in your own states and communities to help closer to home.

Zone 3 Advocacy Check- In

We would also like to make sure you all mark your calendars for our next Zone 3 Advocacy Check-In on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 8 PM Eastern Time. This will be a time to come together as a Zone once again and share fellowship, get updates on what is happening in our Zone, and how we can help support each other.  Please watch your email in early April on how to sign up to attend this event.

As always, we are here to assist you and support you in your states.  Please reach out to us at our Zone 3 email at zone3@nea-lgbtqc.org.

In Solidarity and Pride,
Stacy & (she/they)Frank (he/him/his)

ZONE 4

Elise Sotello [CA] & Joe Bento [WA]
zone4@nea-lgbtqc.org

As union educators, we know to our core that we are stronger together. This adage is even more apt for LGBTQ+ educators. Have you built a network in your community? When there’s a crisis or problem that needs solving involving an LGBTQ+ student or fellow educator, do you know who to turn to?

I’m in a red pocket in a blue state, so it’s become paramount to form a strong network. Last fall, at a Tehachapi Unified School District board meeting, I met Jocelyn Frias, a LGBTQ+ Justice Program Community Worker with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. We were both there to speak out about some transphobia happening at the high school.

Having made that connection, when planning our annual spring forum for LGBTQ+ students, I knew who to call for a “Knowing Your Rights” break-out session. Jocelyn and a CRLA attorney had an amazingly informative Kahoot! on LGBTQ+ students’ rights in public schools last month.

Then, when a teacher from my district asked for guidance in light of the recent Supreme Court decision on Mirabelli v. Bonta, I turned once again to Joceyln. She could not offer legal advice but gave me some great information to share with my district. (If you’d like more information, see this document she shared with me.)

I encourage you to continue forming and building relationships with co-conspirators and members of the LGBTQ+ community, because you never know when you need their help.

In Pride and Solidarity,
Elise, Zone 4 Co-Director

Hey everyone! I hope you’re having a great school year!
I’m Joe Bento (he/him), a teacher and IB Career Program Coordinator from Kent, Washington. I’m honored to serve as your Zone 4 Co-Director of the NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus, alongside my amazing colleague Elise from California.

In addition to my role on the NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus steering committee, I also serve as Co-Chair of the WEA LGBTQ+ Caucus (www.wea-lgbtq.org). Please know that I’m here to support you and am always happy to answer questions.

A Busy March

A wise person once told me that March Madness didn’t have anything to do with Basketball, and everything to do with how the school environment felt in March.

For those of you who don’t know, NEA hosts a variety of conferences in March including the National Leadership Summit, National Higher Ed Summit, National ESP Conference, and NEA Retired Conference.  In my Council, we sent members to a variety of these conferences in order to bring back information to support our locals.

I had the pleasure of attending the National ESP Conference in Anaheim. I think the ESP conference is NEA’s premier conference highlighting the wonderful Education Support Professionals in our schools. We heard great speakers, participated in an evening social with apps and music, and celebrated the new ESP of the year (who happens to be from Washington State!)

What’s Happening in Our States?

Do you have LGBTQ+ initiatives, events, or advocacy happening in your state that others should know about? Share them with me so we can spotlight them for the whole caucus community.

Growing Membership at State RAs

Some states allow caucuses to sell memberships at their State RA. If yours does — or if you’d like to explore that option — please reach out! Elise and I are open to traveling to support Zone 4 caucus work at your state RAs.

Let’s Connect

I’d love to hear from LGBTQ+ Caucus leaders in Zone 4 to discuss what’s happening in your states and how we can grow membership together.

Elise and I will also be reaching out directly to connect with leaders soon.

In the meantime, feel free to email me with any questions, ideas, or updates. Let’s keep building our caucus stronger than ever.

Wishing you a great school year,
Joe Bento, Zone 4 Co-Director