Statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today we recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance across the country to honor the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. As we continue to fight for equality for all people, it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered and that we remain vigilant in our calls for justice.

There are many simple ways in which to support the transgender community on this day of remembrance and awareness, such as taking a moment to learn proper pronoun usage, or listening to stories of those impacted by anti-transgender violence. These small steps can go a long way toward making our world a more inclusive place for everyone.

We must also continue to push for inclusive policies at the federal and state levels. There are still many states that lack protection for trans people in areas such as housing and public accommodation, and that is why I will continue to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Equality Act. The Equality Act would bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, public accommodations, education and employment, among other areas.

In Wisconsin I also co-authored Assembly Bill 319, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s gender identity or gender expression while also adding sexual orientation and gender identity or gender expression as bases of discrimination in certain other laws prohibiting discrimination.

It is long overdue that trans people, and the entire LGBTQ community, are afforded these protections, and I will keep using my platform to advocate for these rights.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.