President Joe Biden on Friday blasted "MAGA extremists" for targeting transgender Americans in a growing number of Republican-led bills.
"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," Biden said in a statement Friday marking Transgender Day of Visibility.
"No one should have to be brave just to be themselves. Let me be clear: These attacks are un-American and must end. The bullying, discrimination, and political attacks that trans kids face have exacerbated our national mental health crisis."
Biden added: "I want every member of the trans community to know that we see you. You’re each made in the image of God, and deserve love, dignity, and respect. You make America stronger, and we’re with you."
Democrats on Thursday reintroduced a bill to codify federal protections for transgender Americans as "the right of transgender and nonbinary people to seek lifesaving gender-affirming care is under threat across the United States," the legislation states.
The Transgender Bill of Rights, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., would amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex.
If passed, students would be able to join sports teams that match their gender identity. Federal election laws would also be amended to ensure trans students are not discriminated against.
Since 2020, 19 states have enacted laws or policies that ban trans women and girls from competing on sports teams for women and girls.
"Day after day, we see a constant onslaught of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation coming from elected officials. Today we say enough is enough," Jayapal, one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Equality Caucus’s Transgender Equality Task Force, said Thursday in a statement.
"With this resolution, we salute the resilience and courage of trans people across our country, and outline a clear vision of what we must do in Congress in order to allow trans people to lead full, happy lives as their authentic selves," she said.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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