A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 32 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 32

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 22, 2024

   Mr. Schatz (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Carper, Ms. Hirono, Ms. 
   Baldwin, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Casey, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
Bennet, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Van Hollen, 
 Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Booker, Mr. Coons, Ms. Warren, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. 
  Padilla, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                             the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  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--

    (1) discrimination in employment and in the workplace;

    (2) discrimination in health care and housing;

    (3) discrimination in access to public services;

    (4) discrimination in educational institutions; and

    (5) violence;

Whereas forms of anti-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 bills in 2021, 2022, and 2023 
        combined, targeting areas such as--

    (1) education, including by prohibiting school staff from acknowledging 
or respecting transgender pupils, colleagues, and family members, and 
barring transgender students from accessing gender-appropriate programs and 
facilities;

    (2) health care, including both medically necessary transition-related 
medical care and general health care services;

    (3) public accommodations, such as safe access to public restrooms; and

    (4) identification documents, including by restricting the ability to 
realign or correct birth certificates and other forms of identification;

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 members of their communities and the social and spiritual roles 
        they fulfilled, and while many were lost or actively suppressed by the 
        efforts of missionaries, government agents, boarding schools, and 
        settlers, two-spirit individuals have promoted increased public 
        awareness 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 at least 31 States and the District of Columbia have at least 1 
        transgender elected official at the State or municipal level;
Whereas there are at least 18 transgender, gender-nonconforming, or nonbinary 
        elected officials in State legislatures, including--

    (1) Lorena Austin;

    (2) Gerri Cannon;

    (3) Brion Curran;

    (4) Emily Dievendorf;

    (5) Leigh Finke;

    (6) S.J. Howell;

    (7) Dominique Johnson;

    (8) Sarah McBride;

    (9) Samantha Montano;

    (10) Alissandra Murray;

    (11) DeShanna Neal;

    (12) Danica Roem;

    (13) James Roesener;

    (14) Abigail Salisbury;

    (15) Taylor Small;

    (16) Izzy Smith-Wade-El;

    (17) Brianna Titone; and

    (18) Mauree Turner;

Whereas voters in the State of Virginia elected Danica Roem to be the first 
        openly transgender State legislator in the United States;
Whereas voters in the State of Delaware elected Sarah McBride as the first 
        openly transgender State senator in the United States;
Whereas voters in the State of Oklahoma elected Mauree Turner as the first 
        openly nonbinary State legislator in the United States;
Whereas voters in the State of New Hampshire elected James Roesener as the first 
        openly transgender man State legislator in the United States;
Whereas 6 States have at least 1 transgender or gender-non- conforming 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
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (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.
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