11.18.25 Action Center Update

Side With Love

Welcome to the Action Center Weekly Update. Each week, we’ll share:

  • A brief analysis of critical issues in this political moment

  • Immediate actions you can take

  • Resources to deepen knowledge and strengthen our collective work to side with love

Nothing is inevitable. Justice movements are built by ordinary people who come together to defeat oppression and nurture a loving world. You are not alone. We have power. Together, we can create a just and thriving future.

Movements are strongest when we act together. Organize with your teams and networks, and take these actions in community. For practical tools, see our Organizing School and Skill Up resources.

Democracy

Core Principle: Democracy is not a destination but a practice rooted in interdependence and the worth and dignity of all. While authoritarianism consolidates power, we are the majority—and we must organize to build a truly multiracial democracy.

The Update: Many are referring to this moment as the Third Reconstruction, where the people are coming together to build a nation that works for the people, not billionaires and corporations. We are reclaiming our power—at the polls, in the streets, and in our workplaces. Veterans are marching for democracy. Voters are turning out in record numbers. Workers and faith communities are taking on corporations who side with authoritarianism.

Democracy is not something we watch happen, it’s something we build. Every one of us has a role. And we will hold the line together until our communities, our companies, and our country reflect the values of justice, dignity, and freedom for all.

Take Action:

Resources:

Gender & LGBTQ Justice

Core Principle: Every body is sacred. We affirm that trans people are divine, abortion is a blessing, and no one is disposable. Attacks on identity are designed to divide us—solidarity is our moral and strategic mandate.

The Update: As the Supreme Court considers cases that will shape the future of LGBTQI+ rights, our Unitarian Universalist tradition calls us to continue to show up with clarity and conviction beside our transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and genderfull kin. On Wednesday, November 19, Rev. Jami Yandle and Sam Ames, Esq., MTS, will offer a one-hour conversation grounding us in the current legal landscape, the potential shifts ahead, and what these decisions may mean for trans individuals, families, congregations, and communities. Their discussion is part of our wider commitment—affirmed in the UUA’s recent interfaith statement alongside eight other denominations—that trans, nonbinary, and intersex people deserve respect, love, and equal rights. We also uplift resources like ACOG’s evidence-based reproductive rights toolkit, reminding us that advocacy for bodily autonomy and compassionate, science-backed care is inseparable from our faith commitments.

This week, we honor Transgender Day of Remembrance (and Resilience) on Thursday, November 20, with services created by and for trans, nonbinary, and intersex participants—a sacred space for grief, connection, and collective strength in a year marked by profound challenges. Allies will have opportunities to engage through other UUA offerings, but these gatherings center the safety and wholeness of trans people themselves. As we learn, witness, and act together, may we hold fast to the truth echoed throughout our tradition and our communities: trans and nonbinary people are beloved, resilient, and essential to the fabric of our shared liberation and all of life.

Take Action:

  • Upcoming Conversation on Key LGBTQI+ Supreme Court Cases

    Wednesday, November 19 at 12 PM ET / 11 AM CT / 10 AM MT / 9 AM PT

    Join Rev. Jami Yandle, Transgender Support Specialist for the Unitarian Universalist Association, and Sam Ames, Esq., MTS, for a one-hour discussion on the Supreme Court cases shaping the future of LGBTQI+ rights—especially for transgender and nonbinary people. They’ll cover current law, potential changes, and what these developments may mean for trans individuals, their families, congregations, and communities.

Resources:

  • Read:

    • ”The Unitarian Universalist Association joined eight other denominations in issuing an interfaith collective statement of support for trans, non-binary, and intersex people, affirming that they “deserve respect, love, and equal rights.” Read more from the UU World article here.

  • Learn:

    • The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) is the leading professional membership organization for ob-gyns. ACOG champions ob-gyns in providing equitable, evidence-based care for patients today and into the future.

      ACOG comprises more than 62,000 members across 12 Districts, representing regions in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America. These members maintain the highest professional standards and are united in their delivery of exceptional, respectful, science-backed care for patients. ACOG members include medical students, residents, practicing and retired physicians, and health professionals in related fields. Find their toolkit on reproduction access and right here.

  • Join:

    • Transgender Day of Remembrance (and Resilience)

      Thursday, November 20

      Two service times available: 1:00 PM ET & 7:00 PM ET

      This year has been especially heavy for our trans and nonbinary kin. Our TDOR(R) observance is intentionally created for trans people, by trans people—a sacred space for grief, remembrance, and connection within our own community.

      To protect the depth and safety of this space: These services are open only to trans and non-binary participants. Opportunities for allies will be available through other UUA departments.

      Registration (Required):

      1 PM ET — TRANS ONLY

      7 PM ET — TRANS ONLY

Decriminalization & Immigration

Core Principle: Criminalization and dehumanization deny the dignity of our communities. Safety cannot come at the expense of others. As people of faith, we proclaim a future of care, abundance, and mutuality—not domination.

The Update: On Sunday, UUs in Illinois joined movement partners at 18 AT&T stores to say No to AT&T until they stop contracting with ICE. Meanwhile in Charlotte, NC, border patrol invaded the city and ICE took at least 81 people. As ICE continues to escalate and overreach, everyday people are getting trained up in know your rights, ICE patrols, and economic campaigns on companies that contract with ICE like AT&T and Avelo Airlines. Many of these trainings are hosted at UU congregations because we are a people who share our resources, like our meeting space, with our communities. All of us deserve to get to school, work, worship and back home safely. We cannot stop every ICE abduction, but let us continue to unite in solidarity across every part of the country because an organized community is a safer community.

Take Action:

Resources:

  • Read:

  • Learn:

    • A Troublemakers’ Guide: Principles for Racial Justice Activists in the Face of Political Repression from the Catalyst Project. As the current regime unleashes its war on the left and much of the liberal establishment, we need to fortify ourselves to resist the political repression we know is likely to intensify. It’s a moment that requires integrity and courage – and collectivity. One of the strongest ways for us to protect our movements and each other is to develop a strong culture of resistance based on solidarity and connection. This guide contributes to building a culture that will help us stay strong, resilient, and focused with our eyes on the world we are hungry for. It draws on lessons we’ve learned from mentors, current and past movements led by people of color, and our own organizing experience. Please read the guide, share it with your community, share it on social media and help get these principles in front of as many people as possible so we are as prepared as possible.

  • Join:

    • Family Detention: Realities and Resistance under Trump 2.0

      Tuesday, November 18 at 5 pm ET / 4 pm CT / 2 pm PT

      #FreeFamilies campaign launch webinar hosted by the newly formed National Coalition to End Family Detention. This interactive, bilingual (English/Spanish interpretation provided) webinar will cover the history of family detention in the U.S., the current conditions families face in detention and the policies that fuel this unjust practice, what people across the country are doing to oppose family detention and protect their communities, and how you can join the movement to #FreeFamilies from detention once and for all.

    • US Airstrikes in the Caribbean and Implications for Domestic Militarization in U.S. Cities Policy Talk

      Thursday, November 20, 8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT

      Sponsored by UUs for Social Justice with Brett Heinz, Global Policy Coordinator for Economic and Climate Justice, American Friends Service Committee (the Quakers). Heinz will speak to us about U.S. airstrikes in the Caribbean, the broader history of efforts to merge the War on Drugs with the War on Terror, and implications we need to be aware of for the Trump administration’s domestic militarization and threats to use the Insurrection Act to target U.S. cities militarily.

    • Colonialism is the Problem, Solidarity is the Answer: 6th Annual ‘Rethinking Thanksgiving’ Webinar!

      Sunday, November 23

      Join us to challenge the legacy of the ‘thanksgiving’ holiday. We will discuss how to collectively work together to confront colonialism and defend Mother Earth. Indigenous-led movements can create a liberated future in these times of climate collapse and fascism! We'll uplift movements of Indigenous Peoples, and confront the ongoing reality of genocide and ecocide, from Turtle Island to Palestine.

Climate Justice

Core Principle: A just and loving world is also a flourishing one. A fossil-free future is possible, where clean energy is a human right and all beings thrive. To get there, we must create new systems, norms, and practices.

The Update: Small actions can yield tremendous results. Take, for example, the outstanding work of the UUs in Georgia who—inspired by their UU Climate Justice Revival—put their efforts into utility justice, pressuring the public utility commission to lower the cost of electricity and add more clean energy to the grid. People don’t often advocate at the regulatory level but we can make serious impacts when we do. The voter education and direct advocacy work that communities all around Georgia resulted in two fossil-fuel supporting commissioners losing their seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission to a clean energy consultant and a health management and community development executive. That’s a win! Widely recognized as a direct response to Trump’s fossil-fuel focused, cost-raising agenda that is hurting Americans, this is one example of how our small efforts can build the kind of power we need right now. From making public comments to protect critical environmental policies to visiting with our neighbors about high energy bills, our commitments to climate justice and community care matter. Hats off to our UU friends in Georgia and to Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Side With Love’s Congregational Justice Organizer, for channeling people power into a win for energy justice.

This is a fantastic example of the ways we can work together to advance climate actions that respond to climate injustice while building community resilience. Side With Love is thrilled to honor the UU Congregation of Gwinnett with Green Sanctuary Recognition for 2025. The completely revitalized Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice includes Four Essentials for Climate Action that support congregations to rise to the challenges of our times and fulfill our moral commitments. Taking action on the Four Essentials—Congregational Transformation, Community Resilience, Justice, and Mitigation—ensures that our climate work is balanced, responsive, and comprehensive.

If your congregation also participated in this campaign, Share your Progress then Request Recognition today!

Take time to celebrate the good work of UUs in Georgia, learn about Utility Justice, and start making a plan to take action in your community.

Take Action:

  • Research what nonprofits and community organizations are actively working to improve energy efficiency and energy justice in your community.

    • Find out who is on your Public Service or Public Utility Commission.

    • Who’s on your Citizen’s Utility Ratepayer board.

    • Find out if those people are serving the best interests of the public by advocating for clean energy, energy efficiency, and a livable future or if they’re protecting monopoly utility big money interests.

    • Make a plan to engage!

  • Renew your Commitment to Climate Justice with the new Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice process and materials, then share how your congregation is advancing climate justice through transformative actions on the Four Essentials—Congregational Transformation, Community Resilience, Justice, and Mitigation.

  • What ideas emerged from the Revival and how are those actions taking shape in your community? Add to the ongoing inspiration that we all need so much right now by sharing the story of your Revival!

Resources:

Together, we practice the world we long for. Together, we win.

11.11.25 Action Center Update