Dear Friends, 

Today is Trans Day of Visibility! As a member of the Equality Caucus, I'm proud to stand with the trans community and fight for their right to live freely and authentically.

As states across the country continue to pass anti-trans legislation, now more than ever, we need to uplift the trans community. 

That's why I secured $750,000 in federal funding for a non-profit organization in my district, the Translatin@ Coalition, to help transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) individuals access services they need to enter the workforce. From ESL classes to professional development courses, this funding will help close the employment gap in the TGI community while building our economy.

And it's important that they receive the support they need. Here's why:

• Latino/a transgender people have a high unemployment rate at 20%.
• Latino/a transgender people often live in extreme poverty, with 28% reporting a household income of less than $10K/year.
• 47% of Latino/a respondents reported having attempted suicide.

This is the reality that many transgender people of color face. Lack of health care access, employment and housing discrimination, and mental health issues are among the many challenges impacting Latino/a trans individuals — all stemming from racism, bigotry, and transphobia.

Extremists are going after trans youth, drag queens, and our LGBTQ+ neighbors and attacking me for securing this funding. But if they think their transphobic smears will stop me from supporting the LGBTQ+ community, they're mistaken. As your Congressman, I will always be an unapologetic ally to our LGBTQ+ friends and family.

I fought for this funding, and I won't back down.

Sincerely,