Vicious right-wing attacks, hateful rhetoric, and discriminatory laws

Everyone should be able to be their authentic selves and love whomever they choose.

Unfortunately, this year has been marred by vicious right-wing attacks on LGTBQ+ youth, specifically trans youth.

Laws have been passed in 18 states to limit or ban transgender women and girls from participating in sports.

Texas has declared that gender-affirming care is "child abuse," and over a dozen states are considering legislation banning gender-affirming health care.

Republicans in many states are talking about banning youth from child-friendly drag spaces, such as story hour, citing "child endangerment."

Last week, 157 House Republicans voted against codifying the right to marry whomever you choose.

Hateful rhetoric and laws from GOP leadership are riling up their extremist base.

Just last month, 31 people were arrested from the white nationalist group Patriot Front for conspiracy to riot near a Pride event in Idaho.

In San Francisco, Proud Boys, another white nationalist group, showed up at a drag queen story hour and began hurling insults and making violent threats.

Transgender Americans in every state are under constant threat by right-wing extremists hellbent on demonizing marginalized people.

We all want the same things for our loved ones: health, safety, and the promise of a secure future. But our fellow Americans who identify as transgender cannot count on health, safety, and security.

I am so thankful for President Biden's executive order aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ Americans. Now we must go further.

I've cosponsored and helped pass several acts in the House, including the LGBTQIA+ Data Inclusion Act, which would help the federal government collect more accurate and inclusive data, and the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

It's time for the Senate to act.

Enough is enough.

LGTBQ+ youth are 3.5 more likely to attempt suicide than their heteronormative peers. And the number jumps even higher for trans youth.

Picking on vulnerable people is cruel. Too many Republican politicians are playing dangerous games with people's lives. This has to stop.

Jim