John–

Being a trans person in America should not be difficult, and it should not be deadly. And yet for many people in this country's trans community, it too often is.

Since the beginning of this year, 22 of my fellow transgender and gender non-conforming Americans have been killed. 17 of them were shot and killed with a gun, and nearly all of them were Black trans women.

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, let us be clear about one thing: Violence against transgender people is a gun violence issue. Any solution to our nation's gun violence crisis must include legislation that will work to keep marginalized communities safe from hate-fueled acts of violence. We need to demand action today.

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Today is a day to remember the trans people whose lives were cut short by hate-fueled acts of violence. Too many trans people have been killed or victimized, with Black trans women repeatedly bearing the full force of that violence. But today is also a day to redouble our support for the trans people in our lives by pushing for gun safety policies that will work to keep them safe.

That work is sadly long overdue. In 2018, the FBI found an 11 percent increase in reported hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ community; 1,347 anti-LGBTQ hate crime incidents were reported last year, the second-highest number on record. That statistic includes a record number of hate crimes targeting individuals for their gender identity.

At a time when the basic rights of trans people — people like me — are under attack from the lowest levels of government all the way up to the nation's highest office, we need to reaffirm our support for marginalized communities. As gun violence prevention advocates, we have a role to play in making sure that America is a place where everyone, regardless of who they are or who they love, can be fully and unabashedly themselves without fear. Join me today in the fight to end gun violence.

I also want to highlight a story from one of our volunteers. Destini Philpot is a volunteer leader from Students Demand Action Baltimore. Read their powerful op-ed for Out Magazine about their experience as a nonbinary individual and explaining why violence against the trans community is a gun violence issue.

Thank you for being a part of this movement, both today and every day.

Sincerely,

Sophie Kozub
She/Her/Hers
National Digital Campaigns Associate
Everytown for Gun Safety