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Debi Jackson

@the-debijackson.bsky.social
764 followers 482 following 411 posts

Advocate for trans youth, trans-inclusivity trainer, defender of good, fighter of evil. she/her

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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 4h
Our three-year Spain-iversary came and went and I completely forgot. I had it on the calendar. I was planning a little family celebration. And then a flash flood happened, we lost boxes of books, art, and photos we'd carried across an ocean, and the date slipped right past me.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
“Fatties, tr-nnies, weirdos, and beardos” I don’t think I’ve seen a single news outlet or progressive pundit bleep out or on-screen edit that slur against trans people. In fact, many have read this quote out loud, saying the word themselves.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Over a fourteen-day stretch in August, four things came out of the federal government: a "fraud" report on gender-affirming care written almost entirely by advocacy staff rather than researchers...
debijackson.substack.com
So You Want to Talk About Grooming?
Two "reports," a podium full of lies, and a nursery rhyme — all in fourteen days, all built to make trans folks and their allies the villain.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
My new Substack essay is deeply personal. And it comes with a content warning. A message arrived Saturday from a man who's emailed me monthly for the past year — his own language shows he's actually been at this since 2014.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Whoopsie. 😬🤫
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I'm going to leave the legal breakdown of yesterday's Supreme Court ruling on trans athletes to the civil rights attorneys. That's their lane. Mine is connecting the dots between stories. And I want to share one that illustrates the issues with what happened yesterday.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Little-known fun fact: I was the student body Chaplain in my junior and senior years of high school. Yes, that happens (hopefully at this point I can say happenED) in Alabama. I read daily devotionals and lead silent prayer over the intercom every single morning during homeroom.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
When I first heard what Pete Buttigieg and his family experienced this week, I felt sick to my stomach. I'm sure you did, too, especially if you are a parent.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The past week in trans healthcare: The good — Hawai'i signed a shield law protecting trans patients, parents, and providers from being prosecuted by other states. debijackson.substack.com/p/the-state-...
debijackson.substack.com
The State of Trans Healthcare Right Now
A week in review: one state leading, one city flinching, two hospitals capitulating, one court ruling that leaves families exposed, and a president saying something that isn't true.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I earn my name on Substack (Debi Downer) by writing about heavy things — including my kickoff to Pride month. Today I needed to write something joyful. And I found it in Biloxi, Mississippi, of all places. 🏳️‍🌈
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Welcome to Pride Month. This is the week we got: A federal "Don't Say Trans" bill passed the House — with eight Democrats voting for it.
open.substack.com
Pride Month. And This.
The first week of June 2026, in review.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Avery turns 19 today. This morning I was making their birthday pie — Deltarune's cinnamon butterscotch pie — when they wandered into the kitchen. I asked if they were feeling older. Classic parent move.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Happy Pride Month. 🏳️‍🌈 I have a new essay up today and I want to tell you why I wrote it. Early in my advocacy work, I kept Avery's name and face out of everything. I thought I was protecting them. Avery thought it looked like I was ashamed of who they are.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
In January, a transgender student in Boise, Idaho died by suicide. She was a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the state's school bathroom ban.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Deadline: TOMORROW! That’s when the public comment period ends for the FCC’s proposed changes to the rating systems — changes that require a warning label for “transgender and gender non-binary programming” and “the discussion or promotion of gender identity themes”.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement with Texas Children's Hospital that should concern everyone working in healthcare, medical ethics, or civil liberties — regardless of where they stand on gender-affirming care.
open.substack.com
The Clinic Built from Coercion
What Texas Children's Hospital just agreed to do, and what it will cost the patients and physicians who had nothing to do with the decision.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Think about what it means for a child to see themselves, or a version of their family, on screen for the first time. That moment of recognition, of “oh, I exist in stories” is not a small thing. The FCC wants to make that moment impossible for a lot of kids. open.substack.com/pub/debijack...
open.substack.com
A Warning Label for Existing
What the FCC's proposed TV ratings change would tell children about who they are.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
SPAIN TOPS THE LIST! ILGA-Europe just released its 2026 Rainbow Map — the annual ranking of LGBTQ+ rights across 49 European countries. For the first time in a decade, Spain has taken the #1 spot, breaking Malta's long hold on the top ranking.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
There were several anti-trans legal issues in the news the last couple of weeks. And in the middle of watching it, we also all held our collective breath for several days wondering if a strike would trigger a wider war, or if a nuclear bomb was actually about to be dropped somewhere in the world.
open.substack.com
Which Nightmare Do I Write About Today?
On the cost of paying attention — and the strategy behind making it this hard.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
How about swapping a president out for a prime minister to celebrate today? Meet Pedro Sánchez — Spain's Prime Minister. To be serious for a moment, if you're making plans to move abroad with your sights set on Spain, I've just opened the registration for my masterclass.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Hi friends, We’ve known about the proposed HHS rule that could strip Medicaid funding from hospitals offering gender-affirming care to minors. open.substack.com/pub/debijack...
open.substack.com
It’s Been a Brutal Two Weeks — What’s Happening to Trans Youth Now
How a proposed federal rule, a malpractice verdict, and a surprise policy shift are colliding — and what’s at stake for trans youth.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
WOW on Pretti's denial of medical treatment "I informed the ICE agents that I am a physician, and I asked to assess the victim. At first, the ICE agents wouldn't let me through. ... But none of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, ... None of the agents were helping him."
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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Holy shit.
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Aaron Stewart-Ahn @badideas.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Today marks 14 years since Avery first told the world who they are. It happened on an MLK Day, which has always felt symbolic — a day about truth, justice, and liberation. open.substack.com/pub/debijack...
open.substack.com
14 Years of Truth: A Transiversary on MLK Day
From a preschool classroom to a life of authenticity, my child’s journey is a testament to courage, resistance, and quiet revolution.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Despite some viral posts (bots, maybe?) telling you Canada is giving LGBTQ refugees a year’s pay as support…it ain’t so. Please don’t count on meme-sharing accounts for your news. Count on reputable news sources (always fact-check) and people who have lived experience.
shop.debi-jackson.com
Trans-Specific Immigration 101
Guidance for Leaving the U.S. and Building a Life Abroad
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Still Here. 2025 was a brutal year for trans rights in the U.S. As a parent of a trans teen, I’ve watched in horror as the federal government erased protections, banned affirming care, and stripped away our children’s right to exist on paper — including my child’s passport.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Dear, Government: Please explain how Gender Dysphoria isn’t a “real enough” medical condition to warrant access to medical care or be included as a protected disability by the ADA or 504 plans, but it’s a real enough medical condition that clothing (binders) must now be regulated as medical devices.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Yesterday, the U.S. House passed a bill to criminalize GAC for trans youth. It’s unlikely to become law (fingers-crossed), but it’s already doing damage. open.substack.com/pub/debijack...
open.substack.com
The What-Ifs Are Worse Than the Known
How the House's anti-trans bill is already hurting families — whether it becomes law or not
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
In light of news today, lets be clear: Gender-affirming care is not dangerous. In fact, we all receive some form of gender-affirming care — yes, even cisgender people.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
I wrote this post a few days ago and had it scheduled it to publish today. It was written before any of us heard the heartbreaking news of the death of Lia Smith, the trans student at Middlebury College. open.substack.com/pub/debijack...
open.substack.com
When the Safe Havens Disappear: Listening to Trans Students in Texas
College campuses were once a refuge. Now, they’re becoming hostile terrain for students just trying to survive.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
This summer, my family and I were interviewed for this article about trans Americans who have left or are leaving the U.S. in search of safety and dignity. The piece was released today and includes several families I know — friends, more accurately — and deeply respect. time.com/7327131/tran...
time.com
From Haven to Exodus: Trans Americans Are Fleeing The U.S.
As restrictions on trans rights mount under the Trump Administration, more transgender Americans are emigrating.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
There’s a quiet beauty in what endures — even when time leaves its marks. This photo from my recent trip reminded me how much we carry. The cracks, the wear, the weight of years…and still, there is strength. Still, there is grace. #advocacy #burnout #sustainability #lgbtq
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
“All things transgender” keeps getting tossed around as political shorthand. But what if it actually means something beautiful — freedom, self-knowledge, and dignity for everyone? I unpack that here → debijackson.substack.com/p/what-all-t...
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
From Tylenol lawsuits to gender-affirming care bans, the pattern is the same: ignore the evidence, inflame the fears. The added twist is hypocrisy. debijackson.substack.com/p/parental-r...
debijackson.substack.com
Parental Rights, Medical Evidence, and the Hypocrisy Around Gender-Affirming Care
Parents deserve facts, not fearmongering — in Tylenol lawsuits or in decisions about our kids’ healthcare.
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Dale Ryder @kryton3298.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
For years, I’ve been called a “Debi Downer” whenever I spoke out about anti-trans laws or the real harm aimed at families like mine. Instead of rejecting it, I’ve decided to own it. So, I've launched a new Substack called Debi Downer. debijackson.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
debijackson.substack.com
Welcome to Debi Downer
Claiming the name, telling the truth, holding it down for trans and non-binary youth
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
A dangerous new framing is emerging, and it’s aimed squarely at trans people. I’ve had a few allies ask me, though, if it really could extend to them. Let’s talk about it.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21/09/2025
There is no world in which it is normal for the president to publicly call upon his attorney general to hurry up and prosecute his political foes. It’s like the Watergate tapes but posted on social media. Let’s get a grip on what’s happening here.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Today marks two years since we arrived at our new home. Two years since leaving everything behind… a house still filled with most of our belongings, with all of our memories. Two years since leaving our close-knit community and our kids leaving behind their childhood friends.
A rainbow arcs across storm clouds, briefly interrupted by a glowing orange cloud — light and storm colliding.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Two Republican elected officials — Nancy Mace and Ronny Jackson — have now openly called for the institutionalization of transgender people in the United States. Let that sink in. www.erininthemorning.com/p/two-republ...
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Who are the un-godly, hateful people again? The hypocrites? The ones who represent a danger to individuals and society as a whole?
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
@weeknightmsnbc.bsky.social who is this man saying the shooter could be a woman because of his hands? Is he trying to push the trans narrative?! Stills show quite an Adam’s Apple, which is what “trans-vestigators” love to focus on.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
I do not have complicated feelings about the death of Charlie Kirk. I am not sad. I am not going to mourn him. I am numb.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
This is the script. This is the winning message.
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Adam Fare 🖤🤍💜 @adamfare1996.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
We haven’t had a mass school shooting in the UK in my lifetime. We have the same issues regarding mental illnesses, etc… as the US does. The difference? Gun laws. Saying “it’s not the guns” is total bullshit.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Am I kinda jaded when I see panicked posts about SCOTUS and a marriage equality case in my feed? Yeah. Yeah, I am.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
14 years ago, we sought help from experts to understand our transgender child. 11 years ago, I gave a speech about that experience that went viral because so few people were talking about trans kids. That same year, I testified against the 1st bathroom ban proposed in our area, a local ordinance.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Lord, help and protect Letitia James at all costs. Amen. 19thnews.org/2025/08/gend...
19thnews.org
More than a dozen states sue to protect gender-affirming care from federal investigations
A new lawsuit argues that the Trump administration is pursuing a backdoor strategy to restrict gender-affirming care nationally, while skirting state laws.
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Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
This is such a bizarre and heartbreaking story. The Transgender House in Topeka — now known as the Mott House, renamed in honor of Stephanie Mott — means so much to our family. fox4kc.com/news/kansas-...
fox4kc.com
Topeka transgender house damaged during police standoff
The Topeka Transgender House was seriously damaged overnight in Topeka.
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