Over the last few years states have advanced a record number of bills that attack LGBTQ rights, especially transgender youth. In the 2023 legislative session alone, the ACLU is tracking 474 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. Politicians are fighting to restrict how and when LGBTQ people can be themselves, limiting access to books about them and trying to ban or censor performances like drag shows. Healthcare bills attempt to block funding to medical centers that offer gender-affirming care, or block insurance coverage of health care for transgender people. Simultaneously, corporations and organizations are gearing up for Pride, launching their yearly rainbow efforts, with companies like Target unveiling their pride collections of merchandise and apparel.

In this session, panelists will grapple with the paradox of the contemporary moment, where legislatively LGB—but specifically T(rans)—identities are under fire, and organization are grappling with what this means for how they engage with LGBTQ stakeholders. 

The discussion will be moderated Dr. Erica Ciszek, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin and feature Del Galloway, Vice President of Communications, Wells Fargo, Cathy Renna, Communications Director, National LGBTQ Task Force, Drew McCaskill, Career Expert & Global Communications, LinkedIn, Jonathan Lovitz, Executive Leadership Team, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Andy Slaughter, Corporate Communications Strategist, Amazon and Kells Jackson, Senior Account Executive, FINN Partners.