Kum & Go speaks out for trans rights & people don’t know what to think

Iowa-based convenience store and gas station brand Kum & Go is taking a stand for trans youth.

In a recent Twitter thread, the company spoke out against the relentless Republican efforts to pass laws restricting trans youth from accessing gender-affirming care, banning them from sports teams that align with their lived gender, and restricting their rights at school.

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The first tweet was short and simple: “protect trans kids. period.”

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After that, the company explained that 52% of trans and nonbinary youth in Iowa considered suicide last year, linking to a study from the Trevor Project.

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44% of LGBTQ youth in Iowa seriously considered suicide in the past year including 52% of transgender and nonbinary youth (source: @TrevorProject) https://t.co/1a1fEcxPtW (2/5)

— Kum & Go (@kumandgo) March 9, 2023

“We’re people first and that means speaking up for our community,” the thread continued. “yesterday, we voted against SF482 and SF538 in the state of Iowa. we know that this is just the beginning, and we still have work to do to continue to advocate for the LGBTQ+ members of our community.”

S.F. 482 and S.F. 538 – both anti-trans bills – passed the state senate last week. S.F. 482 is still awaiting a House vote, but S.F. 538 has passed both chambers. The former would ban trans students from using locker rooms and bathrooms that align with their gender identity, and the latter would ban trans youth from receiving gender-affirming care.

By “voted against” the bills, the tweet likely was referring to the fact that two lobbyists associated with Kum & Go voted on record against the bills.

“One way we can all grow is through education,” the tweet thread continued. “an org we partner with is the Trevor Project, whose mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth and they provide great resources to educate yourself. Join us in continuing to learn how these issues affect our community and find ways to support inclusion across the US.”

one way we can all grow is through education. an org we partner with is the Trevor Project, whose mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth and they provide great resources to educate yourself (4/5)

— Kum & Go (@kumandgo) March 9, 2023

While there was the usual backlash from anti-trans trolls, many thanked the brand for using its influence in this way.

I've always loved your lighters.

But this.

This I really love.

Nicely done, friends.

— ®️Jonesing (@RJonesing) March 10, 2023

I did not have the Kum & Go championing trans youth on my bingo card but I am her for it!!!

— Suburban Housewife (@ThatCdnMichelle) March 10, 2023

Fuck yea driving to des moines to fill my tank

— willyam