The California Endowment has announced a $1 million pledge aimed at boosting public awareness of health, economic, and educational disparities affecting the transgender community.

The funding is focused on building a durable transgender movement infrastructure that reinforces and provides technical assistance and learnings to transgender organizations fighting discriminatory policies. In addition, the pledge is intended to encourage other funders and philanthropic organizations to contribute and leverage investments as part of a national campaign.

“An unprecedented number of legislative efforts nationwide now take aim at the transgender community,” said California Endowment president and CEO Robert K. Ross. “Many of these policies directly target the health care and life-saving gender-affirming care that transgender youth and their families need. We know that California is positioned to forge a leadership position supporting efforts to bring about crucial systemic changes in the country. The endowment strongly believes that lessons learned here in California can serve as a way forward for others throughout the nation.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Nicky Ebbage)