Across the country, our transgender siblings are facing aggressive attacks on their civil and human rights. Bills in at least 11 states have been enacted to restrict or ban gender affirming care for minors, and there are bills in over a dozen other states that, if passed, would violate the human rights of transgender people.
As our UCC General Synod has affirmed, transgender and nonbinary people are beloved by God. We are called not just to affirm and stand in solidarity with our trans siblings, but to actively work toward equitable access to the full sphere of public life for trans folks.
Sentor Markey (D-MA) and Representative Jayapal (WA-07) recently introduced the Transgender Bill of Rights to Congress. This resolution would protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, and would ensure equitable access to healthcare, housing, employment, and education. This includes making sure transgender kids can live into their gender expression at school and in sports, and importantly ensuring access to life-saving care.
The bill also requires the development of community resources to protect against violence perpetrated against transgender people and designates a liaison within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to be dedicated to advising and overseeing enforcement of the civil rights of transgender people.
We as people of faith either work to combat this wave of hate, or are complicit in its perpetuation. We have a call to uphold the dignity and value of each person, knowing all of us bear the Imago Dei.