An Update from the CEO
A Mid-Year Update from CEO Yamani Yansá Hernandez
At Groundswell, we believe that true freedom means being able to define your body, your family, and your future. Whether it’s accessing abortion or gender-affirming care, these rights aren’t side issues; they are the cornerstone of self-determination. And without them, freedom is an illusion.
The recent Supreme Court decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth is a devastating setback and a clear indication of how entrenched anti-trans ideology has become. It underscores the urgent need to protect bodily autonomy in all its forms.
As someone who is non-binary, intersex, and pansexual—and who has experienced abortion, pregnancy loss, and gender-based discrimination—I know how deeply these rights shape our lives.
The ability to define one’s own gender is just as important as the right to choose whether, when, and how one makes a family. Both are central to democratic freedom. That’s why authoritarian regimes—past and present—move quickly to strip those rights away. These attacks aren’t just cultural, they’re political strategies to consolidate power. And they are working.
We saw this devastating truth play out in Minnesota earlier this month, with the targeted assassinations of Minnesota Speaker Emerita and House DFL Caucus Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the attempted murders of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Authorities report that the shooter left behind an anti-abortion manifesto and a hit list of more than 70 names. This was not an isolated act of violence—it was a clear act of political violence, rooted in anti-abortion extremism, fueled by white Christian nationalist ideology, and part of a broader assault on our democracy. [See Groundswell’s statement]
Right now, we’re witnessing a disturbing paradox: as fascism rises, funding for reproductive and gender justice is falling. Our Chief Strategy Officer, Naa Amissah-Hammond, recently wrote about this crisis in Ms. Magazine, describing how even well-meaning funders are retreating just when movements most need bold, sustained investment. When people lose the ability to make decisions about their own bodies, it becomes easier to control every other part of their lives. Bodily autonomy is a first line of defense against authoritarianism, and our movements need deeper, not diminished, support.
At Groundswell, we don’t treat reproductive justice and gender justice as separate lanes. We fund both at the intersections. One of the reasons I came here after a decade in sexual health and abortion access was to lead in a space that refuses “either/or”—where I could show up whole and not put pieces of myself on a shelf.
Our grantee partners deserve that, too.
As we celebrate Pride Month, we’re also nearing the close of our strategic visioning process. Since February, we’ve been in deep conversation with grantees, donors, and movement partners. The insights have been clear, challenging, and energizing. In August, we’ll begin sharing the next chapter of Groundswell’s vision with you, a bold recommitment to our values and to the people building a multiracial feminist democracy from the ground up.
That vision is taking shape at a time of profound consequence. Authoritarianism doesn’t just attack our rights—it reshapes the future. And winning this fight requires more than short-term solutions. It demands multi-layered, long-view strategies that invest in the people and movements with the clarity, resilience, and proximity to lead.
Funders who are serious about defending democracy must invest in organizations rooted in movement, grounded in intersectionality, and committed to both the urgency of now and the possibilities beyond.
Because Pride isn’t just about celebration … it’s about truth, resistance, and the freedom to lead full lives. Thank you for being in this fight with us.