IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 561 
Expressing support for support of transgender acceptance. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 10, 2015 
Mr. HONDA (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. NORTON, Mr. 
QUIGLEY, Mr. POCAN, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. LEE, Mr. TED LIEU of 
California, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. GUTIE´RREZ, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. 
PALLONE, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. KEATING, Ms. 
BONAMICI, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, and Mr. TAKANO) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for support of transgender acceptance. 
Whereas at least 700,000 adults identify as transgender 
across our Nation; 
Whereas every person has an innate gender identity, and 
transgender people have a deeply held gender identity or 
gender expression that differs from their assigned sex at 
birth; 
Whereas our country needs more data on the transgender 
community for an accurate representation of the 
transgender population and their experiences; 
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Whereas the United States Government should modernize its 
surveys so that transgender individuals can be counted 
along with everyone else; 
Whereas violence against the transgender community is a 
state of emergency for our Nation which calls for urgent 
action based on an understanding of the daily challenges 
transgender people face, whether it be harassment, dis-
crimination, or violence for simply being who they are; 
Whereas at least 21 transgender individuals have been mur-
dered in our Nation during 2015, with most being women 
of color; 
Whereas according to the 2011 National Transgender Dis-
crimination Survey, 22 percent of transgender people who 
had interacted with police reported bias-based harass-
ment from police, with transgender people of color report-
ing higher rates and 15 percent reporting being sexually 
assaulted while in police custody or incarceration, and al-
most half (46 percent) of all transgender people reported 
they would be uncomfortable seeking police assistance; 
Whereas there is an increasing legal consensus that Federal 
sex discrimination laws prohibit bias based on sexual ori-
entation and gender identity, there is a continuing lack 
of and need for explicit protections in employment, edu-
cation, housing, public accommodations and other set-
tings to ensure individuals’ rights are understood and re-
spected; 
Whereas 20 percent of transgender people will experience 
homelessness, with more than half reporting being har-
assed at a homeless shelter by residents and staff; 
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Whereas transgender people continue to experience discrimi-
natory and unlawful denials of health care and coverage, 
including anti-transgender insurance exclusions; 
Whereas 82 percent of transgender youth report that they 
feel unsafe at school, 44 percent had been physically as-
saulted, 67 percent had been bullied online, and 64 per-
cent had reported their property stolen or destroyed; 
Whereas people of all ages, groups, and backgrounds may be 
victims of bullying, marginalization, and discrimination, 
and bullying may contribute to or worsen depression, 
anxiety, social isolation, or suicidality; 
Whereas transgender people are disproportionately impacted 
by identification documents reflecting their gender iden-
tity—according to a 2014 study by the Williams Insti-
tute, an estimated 84,000 transgender individuals are 
disproportionately affected by strict voter ID laws across 
ten States; 
Whereas it is estimated that more than 15,000 dedicated 
transgender members of our military are forced to serve 
in silence because of medically unjustified policies; and 
Whereas America’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths; 
and our great Nation strives to promote the principles of 
equality and justice, and the inalienable rights of all peo-
ple to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the systematic and structural 
challenges facing the transgender community and 
the need for action to improve safety and oppor-
tunity for transgender people; and 
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(2) supports the transgender community and al-
lies through the LGBT Equality Caucus and 
Transgender Equality Task Force. 
Æ 
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