Dear John,
Today is a new day for transgender service members. President Biden has issued an executive order reversing the discriminatory transgender military ban.
We are delighted that within a week of him taking office, President Biden has acted on his commitment to repeal the discriminatory ban. Thousands of transgender Americans already serve in our military and are putting their lives on the line. This executive order will allow them to once again serve openly and with honor and integrity.
Today’s action demonstrates that transgender people – like all Americans – should be judged for their qualifications, nothing more, nothing less.
As we celebrate today, we know the work continues to ensure all transgender people are treated fairly in the communities they call home, especially in the states where legislatures are attacking transgender youth right now.
This week alone, anti-LGBTQ state lawmakers are holding hearings and voting on bills meant to discriminate against transgender youth.
- In Montana, the House voted to pass two anti-transgender bills today. HB 112 seeks to ban transgender kids from playing sports and, HB 113 seeks to ban health care for transgender kids.
- In North Dakota, the House held a hearing today on HB 1298, a bill that seeks to bar transgender youth from playing sports and prohibits any government facility from being used for any sports event that might include transgender kids.
- In South Dakota, there will be a hearing tomorrow on HB 1076, which bars transgender people from updating their birth certificate and codifies an anti-transgender definition of sex.
We are supporting our members who are working on-the-ground to combat these harmful, discriminatory bills. Please help us fight against any and all forms of anti-transgender legislation in 2021 by donating $21 right now.
While we celebrate the federal news today, we know the states are where our greatest challenges and opportunities lie. That is where the LGBTQ community needs us most.
Together,
Fran Hutchins
Executive Director
Equality Federation
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