Supporting the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Supporting the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility. Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 to honor the achievements and contributions of the transgender community; Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is designed to be encompassing of a large community of diverse individuals; Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate the lives and achievements of transgender individuals around the world and to recognize the bravery it takes to live openly and authentically; Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is also a time to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence that the transgender community still faces, which make it difficult and even unsafe or fatal for many transgender individuals to be visible; Whereas the transgender community has suffered oppression disproportionately in many ways, including through (1) discrimination in employment and in the workplace; (2) discrimination in educational institutions; and (3) violence; Whereas forms of transgender oppression are exacerbated for transgender individuals of color, individuals with limited resources, immigrants, individuals living with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and transgender youth; Whereas a record number of anti-transgender State bills have been introduced in recent years, including more than 700 anti-transgender bills during the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, targeting areas including (1) education, including bans on books and curricula relating to gender identity; (2) health care; and (3) identification documents, including restrictions on realignment or correction of birth certificates and other forms of identification documents; Whereas the transgender community has made it clear that transgender individuals will not be erased and deserve to be accorded all of the rights and opportunities made available to all; Whereas, before the creation of the United States, Indigenous two-spirit, transgender individuals existed across North America in many Native American communities, with specific terms in their own languages for these individuals and the social and spiritual roles they fulfilled in their communities, and, while many traditions were lost or actively suppressed by the efforts of missionaries, government agents, boarding schools, and settlers, these traditions have experienced a revival in recent decades; Whereas transgender individuals continue to tell their stories and push for full equity under the law; Whereas the civil rights struggle has been strengthened and inspired by the leadership of the transgender community; Whereas transgender individuals in the United States have made significant strides in elected office and political representation; Whereas not fewer than 29 States have at least 1 transgender elected official at the State or municipal level; Whereas there are 17 transgender, gender-nonconforming, or nonbinary elected officials in State legislatures, specifically (1) Gerri Cannon; (2) Emily Dievendorf; (3) Leigh Finke; (4) S.J. Howell; (5) Dominique Johnson; (6) Alicia Kozlowski; (7) Sarah McBride; (8) Samantha Montano; (9) Alissandra Murray; (10) DeShanna Neal; (11) Danica Roem; (12) James Roesener; (13) Taylor Small; (14) Izzy Smith-Wade-El; (15) Brianna Titone; (16) Mauree Turner; and (17) Zooey Zephyr; Whereas voters in the State of Virginia elected Danica Roem to be the first openly transgender female State legislator in the United States; Whereas voters in the State of Delaware elected Sarah McBride as the Whereas voters in the State of Oklahoma elected Mauree Turner as the first openly nonbinary State legislator in the United States; Whereas, in the State of Illinois, Mike Simmons became the first openly gender-nonconforming State senator in the United States; Whereas voters in the State of New Hampshire elected James Roesener as the first openly transgender male State legislator in the United States; Whereas 8 States have at least 1 transgender jurist on the bench; Whereas Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D., was the first openly transgender Federal official confirmed by the Senate and is the highest ranking openly transgender Federal Government official in the history of the United States; Whereas more transgender individuals are appearing in movies, on television, and in all forms of media, raising awareness of their experiences and the importance of living authentically; Whereas transgender individuals have created culture and history as artists, musicians, organizers, and leaders; and Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate the transgender community around the world: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) supports the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility; (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe International Transgender Day of Visibility with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; (3) celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of transgender individuals; and (4) recognizes the bravery of the transgender community as it fights for equal dignity and respect.

Summary: This resolution supports the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility.