JOhn, the GOP has thrown its chips in with a despicable campaign to attack the transgender community.

House Republicans just introduced a trans sports ban bill. Several GOP-led states have recently passed or advanced legislation that targets the healthcare of trans youth. And at CPAC this past week, a Republican speaker said that “transgenderism must be eradicated.”

I'm disgusted by the wave of discriminatory legislation we're seeing and the alarming rhetoric that's been platformed by the far right. This kind of hate-fueled disinformation endangers the lives and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in communities all across the country — and everyone with a public platform has a responsibility to call it out.

One of my first actions as a Congresswoman was to display a transgender pride flag outside my office. I did this to show the trans community (which includes friends and family of mine) that they are seen, heard, and not erased. Today, we are seeing renewed efforts to erase them — and these efforts are being mainstreamed by a major political party.

It is absolutely outrageous and terrifying to see a sustained propaganda campaign against a vulnerable community. I want LGBTQ+ folks to know that they are still loved and still valued, and that protecting their rights and dignity remains a top priority of mine in Congress.

I will keep using my platform to uplift trans visibility and call out misinformation — and I'll be urging my colleagues to do the same.

As scary as this moment is, I believe that our path still takes us to greater equality and justice. I'll be doing everything I can to keep us on that path together.

— Jennifer