John,

Our country is in transition. We’re at a pivotal moment where we have to decide who we are and who we want to be. Today, on this Transgender Day of Remembrance, I want us to honor those transgender individuals we have lost and to double-down on our commitment to fight in their memory for a more compassionate, inclusive and just society.

The numbers are staggering and heartbreaking:

• 26 deaths of transgender or gender non-conforming individuals due to violence in 2018

• 22 deaths in 2019

• More than half of transgender male teens report attempting suicide

• Nearly 30% of transgender female teens report attempting suicide

• 41.8% of non-binary youth report attempting suicide

Trans rights are human rights, John. LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. But we’re still learning and fighting as a nation to accept that human rights apply to everyone. Every person on this planet deserves to feel supported in their community, to feel safe in their homes and secure in their right to the healthcare they need.

Our current administration has made it a priority to attack the LGBTQIA+ community by perpetuating stereotypes and dehumanizing entire groups of people. Transgender individuals should be able to serve in our military, but they are not allowed. Healthcare should include gender reassignment surgery, but, most of the time, it does not. Every person, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves the same protections under the law, but that is not the case. As your Senator I will support and work for passage of the Equality Act.  

Right now, we have to decide: What matters? Who matters? What is right? How will we fight for those we have lost?

I have been a member of and fought for the LGBTQIA+ community my entire life. To me, days like today are more than reminders on a calendar. Days like today remind me that the fight is far from over. Days like today make me grateful I am able to raise my voice and advocate for those whose voices have been silenced.

My hope is that we can seize this moment, John. We can transition our country to be a leader in human rights. If we stand up together and fight, I know we will prevail.

With love,

Betsy

Sources:

https://www.hrc.org/resources/violence-against-the-transgender-community-in-2019
https://www.hrc.org/blog/new-study-reveals-shocking-rates-of-attempted-suicide-among-trans-adolescen

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