InReach has launched a bold initiative to connect 1 million LGBTQ+ people to affirming care by 2030 as anti-LGBTQ+ laws increase across the U.S.
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In response to rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and increasing barriers to affirming care, InReach—a trans-led tech nonprofit behind the world's first open source verified LGBTQ+ resource platform—today announced the launch of the 1M Lives by 2030 Initiative. Building on its success in connecting over 420,000 people to affirming resources, this bold initiative aims to link 1 million LGBTQ+ people to verified services by 2030. The urgency of this initiative is underscored by a recent 270% surge in InReach users following the 2024 U.S. general election, as essential care—such as gender-affirming healthcare and abortion services—becomes increasingly restricted. Amid these rapidly changing laws, the 1M Lives by 2030 Initiative aims to expand access to safe, reliable, and affirming resources for the diverse LGBTQ+ community.
This year alone, over 660 anti-trans bills have been under consideration in 43 states, with 48 passing into law. A recent peer-reviewed study found that these laws have driven suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary young people up by as much as 72%. Against this backdrop, InReach's confidential, verified resource platform is more crucial than ever, serving LGBTQ+ people across all 50 states and D.C.
Jamie Sgarro, InReach's co-founder and executive director, stressed the urgency of this new initiative in light of the U.S. election results, stating, "With the return of the Trump administration, this is an urgent moment for our community. The 1M Lives by 2030 Initiative is our commitment to expanding access to life-saving, affirming care in the face of renewed threats to gender justice and LGBTQ+ rights. We envision a future where every LGBTQ+ person can easily access the support they need through a scalable, shared resource platform that improves with every interaction. Right now, LGBTQ+ people across the country are relying on InReach for verified resources—especially those at heightened risk under a second Trump presidency. This includes community members who are asylum seekers, undocumented, transgender or gender non-conforming, BIPOC, and/or women. We cannot afford to be complacent."
The 1M Lives by 2030 Initiative focuses on four key areas to ensure every LGBTQ+ person can access the support they need to thrive:
- Engineering: Improve and scale InReach to meet rising demand during this pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Vetting and Accessibility: Sustain and grow InReach's verified resource database by incorporating public suggestions and translating data to enhance accessibility for non-English speakers.
- Outreach: Amplify InReach's visibility, especially in states with restrictive laws, to ensure LGBTQ+ people can access verified affirming resources anytime, anywhere.
- Data and Policy Advocacy: Leverage InReach's anonymous, aggregated search trend data to assess demand for LGBTQ+ resources across states, helping funders, local governments, and stakeholders identify and fill critical service gaps.
Christina Tong, InReach's governing board chair, emphasized the initiative's importance, "The LGBTQ+ community is facing unprecedented challenges, from shifting laws to escalating discrimination, creating an urgent need for innovative solutions. InReach is a vital, scalable technology platform designed to address the critical resource-matching gaps impacting our community. As a digital lifeline, InReach ensures access to life-saving, affirming services for those who need them most. We call on foundations and companies to support our 1M Lives by 2030 Initiative and help us ensure that every LGBTQ+ person can thrive. Now is the time to invest in InReach and champion the integration of technology into the LGBTQ+ movement."
About InReach
InReach (formerly AsylumConnect) is a trans-led tech nonprofit building the world's first open source verified LGBTQ+ resource platform. For more information, visit InReach.org.
Media Contact
InReach Press, InReach, 1 646-970-6968, [email protected], https://inreach.org
SOURCE InReach
Share this article