While we wrapped up Women’s History Month and celebrated Transgender Day of Visibility, media force, GLAAD, penned an open letter in support of transgender women and girls. The non-governmental organization’s effort invited all women and non-binary people to co-sign the initiative, now, preceding the names of over 600 feminist leaders including some of the most influentials names in music, fashion, entertainment, and more.

Founded during the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, GLAAD remains at the forefront of cultural change, fighting for the acceptance and inclusion of the LGTBQ community.

Following a long history of assaults against transgender women and girls, and bigoted government policies, award-winning writer, and trans activist Raquel Willis put together the letter to express solidarity between cisgender women, trans women and feminist allies. To name a few, the signatories include Laverne Cox, Bella Hadid, Janelle Mońae, Regina King, and Anna Wintour alongside activists and human rights groups such as Gloria Steinem and The Trevor Project.

“We all must fight against the unnecessary and unethical barriers placed on trans women and girls by lawmakers and those who co-opt the feminist label in the name of division and hatred,” states the letter. “Our feminism must be unapologetically expansive so that we can leave the door open for future generations.”

2020 was the deadliest year on record for the transgender community, mourning 44 killings, and, so far, this year has seen at least nine deaths reported in the U.S. On a daily basis, trans lives are threatened by individuals, policy and legislation. Just two days ago Arkansas passed a bill to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, to which Holly Dickson, ACLU of Arkansas executive director responded, “this bill flies in the face of common decency, basic human rights, and the advice of every major medical association – not to mention federal law.”

The fate of the bill and the lives of countless trans youths now fall in the hands of Republican, Governor Asa Hutchinson. Unless he vetoes it, Arkansas will become the first state to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. Head over here to take action against the bill, and read about how to support the trans community every day.