04: Inviting in the Moveable Middle
Reflections on How We Move Forward
A few friends recently sent me this interview with Representative Sarah McBride—a trailblazer from my home state of Delaware and the first openly trans person elected to the U.S. House.
It arrived at a moment when I, like many of you, are asking: How did we get here? How did our momentum toward equality erode so quickly?
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two rulings with major implications for LGBTQ+ youth. The first upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors—even when recommended by medical professionals. The second ruled that parents can opt their children out of school lessons with LGBTQ+-inclusive books if those lessons conflict with their religious beliefs.
Together, these rulings reinforce bans on care and representation—and send a heartbreaking message to LGBTQ+ youth: that their safety, dignity, and visibility remain up for debate.
And these rulings are just two in a much larger, accelerating trend.
Since 2020, nearly 2,000 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the U.S.—almost 600 just this year alone. These include:
Bans on trans youth in sports
“Don’t Say Gay” laws
Pronoun refusal laws
Bathroom bills
Mandatory outing in schools
(Want to see what these laws say and how they impact youth-serving organizations? I’ve created a free training you can access at Mentorist.org.)
The far right has been remarkably effective at messaging—reframing inclusion as a threat, leaning on language of “fairness” and “safety,” and weaponizing “sincerely held beliefs” to justify exclusion.
Many people that could be potential allies—neighbors, educators, and those in that space known as the moveable middle—are slowly absorbing that narrative. Our difficult truth is that we have been losing them.
What Sarah McBride Invites Us to Reflect On
Representative McBride’s interview offers us a reminder we still have opportunities for progress if we engage in honest reflection and strategic grace. Here are a few of her insights and recommendations:
We can’t lead change from miles ahead.
Social movements must stay close to public understanding. Instead of demanding immediate perfection, we need to walk people toward deeper inclusion.
Grace makes the difference.
When people fear being shamed for not getting it right, they check out—and sometimes find community elsewhere. We need to create room for growth, not just correctness.
Coalition-building requires care.
Progress depends on proximity and trust. It’s not just about calling out injustice—it’s about staying in relationship, even when it’s messy.
How Allies Can “Invite In”
If you consider yourself an ally—or want to be—this is a moment to reorient yourself and begin exploring how to build broader networks that can make a difference.
In our day-to-day, this includes:
Creating space for empathy and vulnerability through stories and research
Building trust through consistent, human connection
Choosing education over judgment
Offering space to learn—not just perform agreement
Meeting people where they are, without abandoning who you are
Humanizing LGBTQ+ lives and values we all share
Reflection Prompts:
How do my actions invite potential allies in?
What’s one way I can meet someone where they are—without compromising who I am?
Resource Highlight
Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People
(Straight for Equality / PFLAG, 2022)
This free, downloadable guide is a thoughtful roadmap for anyone exploring allyship—from the quietly curious to the deeply committed.
Why it’s helpful:
Frames allyship as a lifelong practice, not a fixed identity
Features an “ally spectrum” to help readers identify where they are
Offers everyday examples of showing up with humility and intention
Encourages curiosity and learning from lived experience
In Closing
A few invitations:
I’m currently collecting stories for my book proposal, Now Is the Time for Hope, which explores how LGBTQ+ people hold onto future possibility and resilience—especially during painful political moments. If someone ever helped you imagine who you could become, or if you work with young people who are finding hope in this moment, I’d love to hear from you.
I’m also offering free technical assistance to youth mentoring programs. Whether you’re revising policies, launching training, creating a logic model or an evaluation plan, or are unsure where to begin—I’d be honored to help.
Feel free to reply directly or share with someone who might benefit.
With hope,
Christian