In honor of Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20, President Biden cast a spotlight on the continuing struggle for the rights and safety of transgender people.
In a statement released on Monday, President Biden stressed the ongoing crisis, stating, "Today, we are reminded that we have not yet fulfilled the promise of equality as we mourn the loss of 26 transgender Americans who had their lives violently taken this year."
The President recognized each of these losses as a unique tragedy, noting that the true count could, in reality, be much higher, and that these acts of violence disproportionately impact women of color.
Concurring with this grim reality, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released a report on Monday highlighting an "epidemic of violence" affecting the transgender and gender non-conforming community in America. The report emphasizes disproportionately high risks for transgender women and people of color.
In highlight of these findings, the report detailed, "For Black transgender women, the risk is compounded. They represent the majority of victims of fatal violence against trans and gender non-conforming individuals."
In a separate statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken upheld the rights of transgender individuals around the world with the words, "We affirm the humanity and human rights of transgender persons globally. Trans individuals form an intrinsic part of every country, culture, and faith tradition."
Echoing this sentiment earlier this year, the HRC declared an unprecedented "state of emergency" for LGBTQ+ Americans. Triggered by an influx of over 220 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislature, primarily targeting trans individuals, the organization identified significant socio-political threats to this community.
The global situation isn't much better, with over 300 reported murders of trans and gender-diverse people between October 2022 and September 2023, according to data from nonprofit Transgender Europe.
Blinken stressed the collective responsibility to protect transgender individuals from violence and discrimination. "Each one of us has a part to play in ensuring that trans individuals can live fulfilling, dignified lives without fear of harm or violence," he said.
Despite ongoing social and legal battles over trans rights, research shows more young people resonating with transgender identities and finding positive reflections of themselves in society.
President Biden ended his statement with an impassioned commitment to continue fighting hate towards the transgender community until all Americans are free from discrimination. "We must never stay silent in the face of bigotry, and must continue advocating for transgender rights," he said.
In a statement released on Monday, President Biden stressed the ongoing crisis, stating, "Today, we are reminded that we have not yet fulfilled the promise of equality as we mourn the loss of 26 transgender Americans who had their lives violently taken this year."
The President recognized each of these losses as a unique tragedy, noting that the true count could, in reality, be much higher, and that these acts of violence disproportionately impact women of color.
Concurring with this grim reality, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released a report on Monday highlighting an "epidemic of violence" affecting the transgender and gender non-conforming community in America. The report emphasizes disproportionately high risks for transgender women and people of color.
In highlight of these findings, the report detailed, "For Black transgender women, the risk is compounded. They represent the majority of victims of fatal violence against trans and gender non-conforming individuals."
In a separate statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken upheld the rights of transgender individuals around the world with the words, "We affirm the humanity and human rights of transgender persons globally. Trans individuals form an intrinsic part of every country, culture, and faith tradition."
Echoing this sentiment earlier this year, the HRC declared an unprecedented "state of emergency" for LGBTQ+ Americans. Triggered by an influx of over 220 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislature, primarily targeting trans individuals, the organization identified significant socio-political threats to this community.
The global situation isn't much better, with over 300 reported murders of trans and gender-diverse people between October 2022 and September 2023, according to data from nonprofit Transgender Europe.
Blinken stressed the collective responsibility to protect transgender individuals from violence and discrimination. "Each one of us has a part to play in ensuring that trans individuals can live fulfilling, dignified lives without fear of harm or violence," he said.
Despite ongoing social and legal battles over trans rights, research shows more young people resonating with transgender identities and finding positive reflections of themselves in society.
President Biden ended his statement with an impassioned commitment to continue fighting hate towards the transgender community until all Americans are free from discrimination. "We must never stay silent in the face of bigotry, and must continue advocating for transgender rights," he said.
