John,

Republicans at the state and federal level are attacking transgender and nonbinary people. We need to counter these attacks and strengthen protections to ensure that all people can live safely and with dignity.

I’m a proud co-sponsor of the Transgender Bill of Rights, a Congressional resolution calling on the federal government to protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, including ensuring that trans people have access to gender-affirming care.

Please add your name to tell Congress: Pass the Trans Bill of Rights this Pride month! People’s lives are at stake.

In 2023, state legislators introduced 500 anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including bans on gender-affirming care.

Some states and municipalities have also passed “forced outing” policies, mandating school and government employees out trans people to their parents. This can be extremely dangerous, risking physical violence and homelessness for trans youth.

Last year, the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to ban trans athletes from women’s and girls’ sports. President Biden has said he’ll veto such a bill if it passes the Senate and comes to his desk. However, if Trump or another Republican were President and the Senate had a Republican majority, bills like this would become law.

We cannot leave people’s rights up to the unelected right-wing Supreme Court or a future Republican presidential administration. Instead, we must enshrine these fundamental rights into federal law as soon as possible.

By passing the Trans Bill of Rights, Congress would affirm “that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement” legislation that would protect transgender and nonbinary Americans’ access to healthcare, employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and services, inclusive education, and more.

The resolution urges investments in mental health services designed for transgender and nonbinary people, as well as community services to prevent anti-trans violence. This is essential, because more than 40% of trans Americans have attempted suicide, and they’re at least 4 times more likely than their cisgender peers to be victims of violent crime.

The Trans Bill of Rights also calls for banning harmful “conversion therapy” practices and for designating an office within the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to enforce the civil rights of transgender people.

Please sign on now to urge Congress to pass the Trans Bill of Rights. With an unprecedented onslaught of anti-trans attacks, we need urgent action.

As Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who introduced this bill in the House of Representatives, said:

“Our Trans Bill of Rights says clearly to the trans community across the country that we see you and we will stand with you to ensure you are protected and given the dignity and respect that every person should have.”

No matter your gender identity or sexual orientation, I will keep fighting in solidarity for your safety, liberation, and human rights.

Always serving you,

Rashida

P.S. If you’re a trans or non-binary adult in crisis, the Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support line at 877-565-8860. For young people under 25 years old, the Trevor Project offers support if you call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or by online chat.

If you want to do more to support your LGBTQ+ neighbors, here’s a resource from the Trevor Project about being an ally to trans and non-binary youth, and a guide for creating safer spaces in schools for LGBTQ+ people.