Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 4hOur 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. 110
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. 130
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Over 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.comSo 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. 264
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 05/08/2026My 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. 121
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 01/07/2026I'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. 130
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Little-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. 110
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 27/06/2026When 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. 1267
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 16/06/2026The 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.comThe State of Trans Healthcare Right NowA 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. 143
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 11/06/2026I 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. 🏳️🌈 111
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Welcome 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.comPride Month. And This.The first week of June 2026, in review. 254
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 04/06/2026Avery 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. 161
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 01/06/2026Happy 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. 230
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/05/2026In January, a transgender student in Boise, Idaho died by suicide. She was a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the state's school bathroom ban. 140
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Deadline: 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”. 132
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 19/05/2026Last 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.comThe Clinic Built from CoercionWhat 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. 132
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Think 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.comA Warning Label for ExistingWhat the FCC's proposed TV ratings change would tell children about who they are. 121
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/05/2026SPAIN 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. 120
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 08/04/2026There 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.comWhich Nightmare Do I Write About Today?On the cost of paying attention — and the strategy behind making it this hard. 110
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 16/02/2026How 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. 141
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 06/02/2026Hi 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.comIt’s Been a Brutal Two Weeks — What’s Happening to Trans Youth NowHow a proposed federal rule, a malpractice verdict, and a surprise policy shift are colliding — and what’s at stake for trans youth. 132
Reposted by Debi JacksonRyan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 25/01/2026WOW 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." 489137326280
Reposted by Debi JacksonAaron Stewart-Ahn @badideas.bsky.social · 25/01/2026A 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. 10054690018037
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 19/01/2026Today 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.com14 Years of Truth: A Transiversary on MLK DayFrom a preschool classroom to a life of authenticity, my child’s journey is a testament to courage, resistance, and quiet revolution. 121
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 05/01/2026Despite 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.comTrans-Specific Immigration 101Guidance for Leaving the U.S. and Building a Life Abroad 173
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 31/12/2025Still 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. 161
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 20/12/2025Dear, 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. 0204
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 18/12/2025Yesterday, 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.comThe What-Ifs Are Worse Than the KnownHow the House's anti-trans bill is already hurting families — whether it becomes law or not 121
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 30/10/2025In 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. 151
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 29/10/2025I 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.comWhen the Safe Havens Disappear: Listening to Trans Students in TexasCollege campuses were once a refuge. Now, they’re becoming hostile terrain for students just trying to survive. 151
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 23/10/2025This 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.comFrom 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. 121
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/10/2025There’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 150
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... 062
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 28/09/2025From 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.comParental Rights, Medical Evidence, and the Hypocrisy Around Gender-Affirming CareParents deserve facts, not fearmongering — in Tylenol lawsuits or in decisions about our kids’ healthcare. 061
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 23/09/2025For 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.comWelcome to Debi DownerClaiming the name, telling the truth, holding it down for trans and non-binary youth 250
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 22/09/2025A 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. 120
Reposted by Debi JacksonAaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21/09/2025There 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. 13205843316167
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 21/09/2025Today 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. 250
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 18/09/2025Two 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... 131
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/09/2025Who are the un-godly, hateful people again? The hypocrites? The ones who represent a danger to individuals and society as a whole? 030
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. 020
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 11/09/2025I 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. 1102
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 31/08/2025This is the script. This is the winning message. 053
Reposted by Debi JacksonAdam Fare 🖤🤍💜 @adamfare1996.bsky.social · 31/08/2025We 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. 8685199
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 12/08/2025Am I kinda jaded when I see panicked posts about SCOTUS and a marriage equality case in my feed? Yeah. Yeah, I am. 230
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 03/08/202514 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. 141
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 01/08/2025Lord, help and protect Letitia James at all costs. Amen. 19thnews.org/2025/08/gend...19thnews.orgMore than a dozen states sue to protect gender-affirming care from federal investigationsA new lawsuit argues that the Trump administration is pursuing a backdoor strategy to restrict gender-affirming care nationally, while skirting state laws. 132
Debi Jackson @the-debijackson.bsky.social · 31/07/2025This 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.comTopeka transgender house damaged during police standoffThe Topeka Transgender House was seriously damaged overnight in Topeka. 112