1,000 signatures reached
To: America
End Anti-Transgender Legislative Violence Now!
We are writing to you today to bring attention to the deeply troubling wave of anti-trans rhetoric and cultural actions, particularly in the form of legislation actively moving across the United States. As recent as this year’s Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, President Joe Biden said, “Transgender Americans deserve to be safe and supported in every community – but today, across our country, MAGA extremists are advancing hundreds of hateful and extreme state laws that target transgender kids and their families. No one should have to be brave just to be themselves. Let me be clear: These attacks are un-American and must end.”
Despite this stand, we continue seeing a rapid ascent of anti-trans actions and legislative efforts nationwide. As of May 11, 2023, there were over 541 anti-transgender pieces of legislation being introduced across 49 states, with nearly 70 percent of them actively progressing through legislatures. These bills represent a dangerous attack on the rights and dignity of transgender people, particularly BLACK transgender individuals already facing disproportionate levels of discrimination, violence, and marginalization.
Why is this important?
With this movement, we are being actively, methodically, and intentionally eradicated. We’re getting a front seat to how a society divides itself and turns against those that are different. The leaders of these movements are not just trying to eradicate the existence of transgender individuals; they are eradicating anything that does not support the continued dominance of what this country was founded on. This means it will not stop at transgender issues; it will continue to expand and spread and will redirect to the next segment of society that poses the next risk to their position.
And while it might seem that the concurrent attacks on reproductive rights, religious freedom, books, African-American history, and science are disparate, we know the truth. They are coordinated and intentionally designed to whittle away our power. Let’s call it what it is: political warfare. Political violence.
Now is the time for us to band together across differences across cultural or societal norms, or societal norms and stand in the gap for trans people, not only in this country but all of the rest of the world. Because America's power has implications for others. And the world is watching. We've got to unite urgently and show our PRIDE.
This is not something the BLACK transgender community can fight without additional support. Even if people are not trans or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, they can relate to the experience of being hidden, unseen, and afraid. We need to unite around that commonality and build solidarity around our unity.
We must speak out against these anti-trans bills and work to oppose them at every turn. We call on lawmakers at every level of government to reject these harmful and discriminatory measures and to instead support policies that promote equity, collaboration, reparations, and justice for the people these policies have always minimized.
These bills, including those that target trans youth and seek to limit their access to healthcare and athletics, are being promoted by politicians who are using fear and misinformation to advance their own political agendas. We must hold these elected officials accountable for their attacks on our community, and we must work together to resist and oppose these regressive and harmful policies.
We urge you to join us in taking action to protect the rights of BLACK transgender people and all members of the trans community by honoring these demands:
1. Commitment to the protection and safety of BLACK trans people
2. Increase access to gender-affirming healthcare
3. Autonomy for trans youth, adults, and their families
4. End legislative violence against trans people
By signing this petition, you are standing up to the hateful rhetoric and harmful policies that seek to erase us and deny us our basic human rights. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that all people, regardless of gender identity, are treated with dignity, respect, and equality under the law. We are grateful for your support and advocacy on behalf of this critical issue.