Honda Fights for Acceptance of Transgender People

Honda Continues to Lead Congress in Raising Awareness of Challenges Facing the Transgender Community
Dec 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Mike Honda (D-Silicon Valley), Chair of the Transgender Equality
Task Force, along with all members of the task force, introduced a resolution Expressing Support for Transgender
Acceptance to promote transgender acceptance, recognize the challenges facing the transgender community, and
improve safety and opportunities for transgender people.

This is another much-needed step in our fight to ensure that the transgender communitys voice is represented in
Congress. The transgender community faces widespread bullying, harassment, and violence, and these individuals
do not yet have sufficient legal means of protection from such discrimination in many states. We cannot achieve
equality without acceptance. This resolution is a step toward greater acceptance of the transgender community. We
must work to address the challenges and risks that transgender individuals face on a daily basis in their places of
work, education, and housing, and ensure that their individual rights are understood and respected, said
Congressman Honda.

The resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality,
Equality California, BAYMEC, LGBT Technology Partnership

In November, Congressman Honda, along with members of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, also hosted a first-
ever Congressional Forum on Violence Against Transgender Individuals. Honda chairs the Transgender Equality Task
Force, the first congressional task force devoted only to issues impacting the transgender community, which he
launched last month in the U.S. House of Representatives. In September, the Congressman introduced a House
Resolution to protect transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual congressional employees from employment
discrimination. He is also the founding member and Chair of the Congressional Caucus to End Bullying.

The full text of Congressman Hondas resolution is available here: https://www.scribd.com/doc/293020475/House-

Resolution-Expressing-Support-Transgender-Acceptance

The statistics hide the murders never reported, the hate crimes that went uncounted because police or family
members did not respect the victims gender identity, and the transgender youth and adults, who, facing hostility
from their families and communities, took their own lives, said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality
California. This resolution would send a signal of support and affirmation to those among us who are still fighting a
desperate battle not just for civil rights, but also to simply stay alive. Equality California is leading, together with the
Transgender Law Center, a groundbreaking coalition to educate Californians about their transgender neighbors,
and we're grateful to have an ally like Rep. Honda in Congress."

"The Bay Area Municipal Elections committee is proud to stand behind Congressmember Honda's efforts to create a
month that brings our transgender community to the nation's attention. Too long have transgender community
members suffered in silence, unheard by mainstream media, by insurance companies, by many in the medical
profession, and by many policymakers across the country. The price of silence has been prejudice, lack of
transgender sensitive healthcare and horrific hate crimes. Now is the time for people to understand the plight of
our transgender brothers and sisters," James Gonzales, President of BAYMEC.

We are currently in the midst of a nationwide State of Emergency and crisis in the trans community. Trans and
gender non-conforming people should not have to fear violence and discrimination for the simple act of living
authentically while navigating daily society. Visibility and awareness are first steps in recognizing and accepting
transgender humanity. A House Resolution validating transgender lives is a critical step forward, said Tiffany
Woods, Trans Advocate and LE Consultant.

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