Southern Legal Counsel, Inc.

This TBT, we are thinking back on a message from SLC attorney Simone Chriss from 2019 : “I stand here at the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil listening to the reading of the names of the 331 transgender individuals who have been murdered, burned, stoned, lynched, stabbed, shot, and dismembered this year alone. My candle burned down to nothing while the list went on and on, and I realized how unbelievably lucky I was to be standing amongst my LGBTQ brothers and sisters, all of us here, alive, allowed to be ourselves, allowed to mourn the lives lost to senseless violence. #TDOR2019”

??? Honoring Trans Lives on National Trans Day of Remembrance ??? Today, on National Trans Day of Remembrance (#NTDOR), we come together to honor the lives tragically lost to anti-transgender violence and prejudice. It's a day to reflect on the challenges and discrimination our transgender siblings face simply for living authentically. In today's climate, standing in solidarity with the transgender community is more critical than ever. As the fight for equality and acceptance continues, let us amplify our voices, advocate for change, and protect those who are most vulnerable. Take a moment to remember, to honor, and to recommit to building a more inclusive and just world for all. #NTDOR #TransRightsAreHumanRights #SLCStandsWithFlorida #TogetherForJustice

We know you’re already dreaming about and making preparations for the perfect Thanksgiving meal with turkey, fixings and all that family goodness, but as we get ready to celebrate this bountiful holiday, we’d love for you to take a moment to remember all those who are experiencing food insecurity, scarcity or who may be displaced this Thanksgiving. And we invite you to go a step further and take action. Please consider donating or volunteering at your local food pantry or shelter to spread some light, love and resources for those in need. TIP: Get the whole family involved and make it a bonding experience that they’ll remember for years to come. Pass it forward and have a wonderful day of giving. #Thanksgiving #Volunteer #GiveBack #MakeADifference #BeTheChange #Grateful #southernlegalcounsel #SLC #civiljustice #civilrights #socialjustice #humanrights

? TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENT ? - If you want to register for our Free Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic that is happening TONIGHT, TUES. NOV. 19th at 6:30PM ET on ZOOM, you must email Simone Chriss ([email protected]) ASAP with the following information: ?? (1) affirmed name; ?? (2) the county in Florida where you currently live; ?? (3) whether you are seeking a name change for yourself as an adult or as the parent on behalf of your minor child; and ?? (4) whether you have access to a printer to print the PDF packet of forms or, rather, whether you need a fillable PDF packet to fill in on the computer. ?? Registrants must email attorney Simone Chriss BEFORE 5:00pm ET in order to be included in the clinic. Please DO NOT leave a comment on this post or send a message on social media. Only the email provided ([email protected]) will be monitored for registrants seeking to attend the clinic tonight. ?? ?? NOTE: If you are not able to register in time, or you are not able to attend tonight, we will be having additional clinics in the near future. Please email attorney Simone Chriss that you would like to register for one of the upcoming clinics, and also be sure to provide responses to the four questions posed above. We will do everything in our power to help everyone update their documents before the inauguration of the incoming administration. Thank you!

? TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENT ? - If you want to register for our Free Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic that is happening TONIGHT, TUES. NOV. 19th at 6:30PM ET on ZOOM, you must email Simone Chriss ([email protected]) ASAP with the following information: ?? (1) affirmed name; ?? (2) the county in Florida where you currently live; ?? (3) whether you are seeking a name change for yourself as an adult or as the parent on behalf of your minor child; and ?? (4) whether you have access to a printer to print the PDF packet of forms or, rather, whether you need a fillable PDF packet to fill in on the computer. ?? Registrants must email attorney Simone Chriss BEFORE 5:00pm ET in order to be included in the clinic. Please DO NOT leave a comment on this post or send a message on social media. Only the email provided ([email protected]) will be monitored for registrants seeking to attend the clinic tonight. ?? ?? NOTE: If you are not able to register in time, or you are not able to attend tonight, we will be having additional clinics in the near future. Please email attorney Simone Chriss that you would like to register for one of the upcoming clinics, and also be sure to provide responses to the four questions posed above. We will do everything in our power to help everyone update their documents before the inauguration of the incoming administration. Thank you!

As we enter this season of giving thanks, we invite you to think on these words by Mother Teresa, "It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving." #mondaymotivation #givingtuesday #gratitude

Happy TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK** everyone! SLC's Trans Rights Director Simone Chriss has been busy helping as many folks in our community as possible this week - including hosting legal name and gender marker change clinics to ensure all trans folks in Florida have access to legal authenticity, presenting Town Halls and ensuring everyone knows their rights and is prepared to self advocate, and more! ? Wednesday, Nov. 13th: presented webinar "Prepare & Protect: Facing Trump 2025 Together" (with Fla. Rep. Anna Eskamani), which was shared with more than 1,800 people! ? Thursday, Nov. 14th: Provided a free statewide name change clinic and assisted 198 people in need of legal name and gender marker changes! ? Friday, Nov. 15th: Provided free legal assistance to transgender youth and families in the UF Health Youth Gender Clinic! ? Saturday, Nov. 16th: Presented a free legal name change clinic with the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law and other local partners serving the transgender community in South Florida! ? Sunday, Nov. 17th: Presented a post-election know your rights Town Hall for the LGBTQ+ community in Gainesville at First Magnitude alongside our partners at the Pride Center and Equality Florida! ** Transgender Awareness Week, observed Nov. 13th - Nov. 19th, is a one week celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20th. TDOR is an annual observance on November 20th that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year.

Happy TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK** everyone! SLC's Trans Rights Director Simone Chriss has been busy helping as many folks in our community as possible this week - including hosting legal name and gender marker change clinics to ensure all trans folks in Florida have access to legal authenticity, presenting Town Halls and ensuring everyone knows their rights and is prepared to self advocate, and more! ? Wednesday, Nov. 13th: presented webinar "Prepare & Protect: Facing Trump 2025 Together" (with Fla. Rep. Anna Eskamani), which was shared with more than 1,800 people! ? Thursday, Nov. 14th: Provided a free statewide name change clinic and assisted 198 people in need of legal name and gender marker changes! ? Friday, Nov. 15th: Provided free legal assistance to transgender youth and families in the UF Health Youth Gender Clinic! ? Saturday, Nov. 16th: Presented a free legal name change clinic with the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law and other local partners serving the transgender community in South Florida! ? Sunday, Nov. 17th: Presented a post-election know your rights Town Hall for the LGBTQ+ community in Gainesville at First Magnitude alongside our partners at the Pride Center and Equality Florida! ** Transgender Awareness Week, observed Nov. 13th - Nov. 19th, is a one week celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20th. TDOR is an annual observance on November 20th that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year.

Your Support Matters Now More Than Ever! This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to be a part of something bigger by empowering change and igniting hope—a movement toward justice, equality, and compassion. Southern Legal Counsel stands as a beacon of hope for those who face adversity and discrimination, but we can't do it without you. Your contribution today holds the power to transform lives. With every dollar, you help us fight for those who are unheard and protect rights that should never be compromised. Together, we can light the way toward a future where justice prevails, and every individual is treated with dignity and respect. ? Join us in this vital mission. Your support means the world to those who need it most. ?? Donate Today: https://bit.ly/4fKSiUG #GivingTuesday #SupportSLC #JusticeForAll #BeTheChange

Following the recent election results, concerns over potential changes to LGBTQ+ rights are surfacing. In a recent TIME article, SLC attorney Simone Chriss, Director of the Transgender Rights Initiative, shared insightful perspectives on potential impacts: ?? Key Concerns: ?? Redefining Sex & Gender: Trump's administration may seek to redefine sex in ways that exclude transgender individuals. This could affect everything from education policies to access to identification documents. ?? Impact on Identification Services: Chriss highlights the importance of updating legal identification, including passports, as changes could significantly impact transgender people's access to employment, housing, and daily life. "Lack of access to identification documents that reflect who you are is something that impacts every interaction a person has," Chriss emphasized. Stay informed and support our ongoing efforts to protect and advance LGBTQ+ rights. ?? Read more: https://bit.ly/3CsWMky #LGBTQRights #TransRights #SupportSLC #StayInformed