OutWords Vol. 1 Issue 6 September

Written By Forward 701

Welcome to OutWords! 

The North Dakota Supreme Court Just Turned Its Back on Trans Youth

An update from our friends at Gender Justice on T.D. v. Wrigley:

Last Thursday, the North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the state’s sweeping ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

This decision stops doctors from providing best-practice medical care. It forces families to consider uprooting their lives from North Dakota to protect their children’s wellbeing. And it singles out trans youth, denying them their rights in the cruelest of ways.

We are furious. We are devastated. And we are far from done.

“This ruling is devastating for transgender youth and their families in North Dakota — and it should worry every North Dakotan who believes private medical decisions should be made by families in consultation with their trusted medical providers, not by politicians,” said Jess Braverman, Legal Director at Gender Justice. “If the North Dakota Constitution does not ban the government from interfering with North Dakotans’ private medical decisions, then all North Dakotans are vulnerable to the whims of politicians when it comes to their ability to access life and health preserving medical care.”

The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that the state’s constitution provides very few protections from government overreach when it comes to health care for North Dakota youth. This means that the life and health of North Dakotans are in the hands of untrained politicians rather than medical experts. Not only does this ruling harm North Dakotan families, it opens the door to outright discrimination by the government against its own citizens.

Major medical organizations — including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association — support gender-affirming care as safe, effective, and evidence-based. Thursday’s ruling disregards that medical consensus and stops doctors and families from acting on best-practice medical information.

We hope you will join us in lifting up the importance of this case and standing up for every person’s right to access the health care they need without political interference. Sign the open letter standing with trans youth and their right to thrive.

Subscribe to OutWords

News & Features

Maine school board’s anti-trans policies were shaped by conservative activists, records show

Newly public emails and text messages are offering an inside look at how one Maine school district pushed to restrict transgender students, as well as the role conservative activists played behind the scenes.

Donald Trump admits he uses trans issues as a campaign tactic

President Donald Trump has admitted to discussing trans people as a campaign tactic.

Two women sentenced to life without parole for killing trans man Sam Nordquist

Two women who pleaded guilty to kidnapping, torturing and killing Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man, have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Judge strikes down Texas ban on drag shows, tells people offended by them ‘just don’t go’

The federal judge, who cited Dolly Parton in his ruling, found that the state law violated the First Amendment.

Opinions & Columns

How the Federal Government is Collapsing a Pillar of Civil Rights - Swing of the Hammer with Faye Seidler

Events & Announcements

We are just over 2 weeks out from the 9th Annual ND LGBTQIA2S+ Summit! It's not too late to snag your ticket and plan your weekend!

We hope to see you there!

Tickets: https://www.ndhrc.org/event/9th-annual-nd-lgbtqia2s-summit-2026/

Speakers: https://www.ndlgbtqsummit.com/2026-program-speakers

Schedule: https://www.ndlgbtqsummit.com/2026-schedule

Calls to Action

Join a board!

Learn more about joining the Stonewall Sports Fargo Board of Directors!

Apply by October 1st here -> 2026 Board Interest Application

Gender Justice is seeking passionate, innovative volunteer leaders to join their Board of Directors! Learn more and join an upcoming in-person and virtual meet & greets in Minnesota and North Dakota: https://www.genderjustice.us/join-our-board/

Check out a meeting!

OutWords needs YourWords! 

This new endeavor for connecting and creating community by informing queer North Dakota is a new and growing effort. That effort needs you. If you’d like to help create original content by being a regular or occasional writer, contributor, or volunteer, please let us know! Contact forward701network@gmail.com and let us know how you can offer some skill, talent, and time.

In Case You Missed It

At least 21 hospitals have ended or restricted trans care for minors since January

The disruptions follow multiple efforts by the Trump administration to block such care for patients younger than 19.

Forward 701
Next

OutWords V1, Issue 4