For many of us, the administration changes in Washington have brought feelings of fear and anxiety about potential changes and what they could mean for LGBTQ+ rights. Even today, there’s a lot of uncertainty and a lot of misinformation. That’s why we’re reaching out—to share some information, offer support, and remind you that we’ll face this together, like we have for the last 30 years.

This week’s anti-trans executive orders will have major implications for LGBTQ+ Americans, but we urge our communities to remember that most aspects of these executive orders will take time to implement. So, for the moment, take a beat until we know more. There are very few immediate impacts now, and between rule changes and legal challenges, it could take months or even years to see these changes implemented.

These executive orders are intended to cause fear and confusion in order to push people towards preemptively complying, but we will not go back. As a movement for LGBTQ equality in this country, we have tools to push back, litigate, and navigate through many of the most harmful aspects of these orders.

So, if you’re ready to act, here are some things you can do right now:

  • SEND A MESSAGE to our US Senators to encourage them to join the Georgia Congressional Democrats in voting NO on the federal trans sports ban.
  • SEND A MESSAGE to thank those members of Congress who have already voted to oppose the trans sports ban.
  • SIGN UP to attend one of the upcoming advocacy events:
  • SIGN UP to help us expand non-discrimination protections for even more local governments.

Here’s what we understand the anti-transgender executive order to do as of now (This list is not exhaustive and legal interpretation is subject to change as further analysis is completed.):

  • Creating a binary “biological sex” framework for all federal policy and work under this new administration.
  • Reversing pro-LGBTQ+ Biden-era executive policies, guidance, and interpretations, including:
    • Reverses the Biden administration’s broad implementation of Bostock v. Clayton County. This could also be interpreted to rescind Title IX guidance which currently protects trans people.
    • State Department “X” gender markers on passports and visas. The White House has said that this will not retroactively apply to those who already have the X marker, but will apply for any new passport applications or renewals.
    • Rolling back DEI initiatives in federal agencies.
    • Bathroom bans in federal buildings and facilities. It is unclear how broadly or whether or not this will be implemented.
    • Significant impacts for transgender women in women’s detention facilities and prisons.

Here’s how we have been preparing for this moment:

  • Eighteen local and county jurisdictions in Georgia have already passed non-discrimination ordinances. These protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity remain intact, regardless of the executive orders.
  • For years now, we have lead the Georgia Unites Against Discrimination coalition to pass statewide and local protections for LGBTQ+ people in Georgia. Given the new federal administration, it will be even more important moving forward to pass state and local protections against discrimination.
  • Georgia Equality works constantly to offer resources to trans and gender-expansive people in our home state.

The next several days and weeks to come are uncertain, but one thing is certain: all of us have come together before to stand up for LGBTQ people in our state and this country, and that WILL continue.

Thank you for being in this fight.

Jeff Graham is the executive director of Georgia Equality, an organization that works to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities throughout Georgia.