1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to you on Trans Day of Remembrance, a day that honors the trans people whose lives have been taken by violence, discrimination, and neglect. It is a day for mourning — but also for reckoning. And it’s impossible to ignore that many of the policies and messages coming out of Congress are making things worse, not better. Trans people are not a political inconvenience or a cultural talking point. They are members of our communities, families, workplaces, and schools. They deserve to live without fear. Yet harmful rhetoric, scapegoating, and discriminatory policies coming from elected officials continue to fuel hostility and misinformation, contributing directly to the climate that endangers them. When leaders use their platforms to misrepresent trans people or treat their existence as a debate, it creates real-world harm. When laws restrict access to healthcare, erase trans students, or criminalize self-determination, they don’t “protect” anyone — they endanger an already vulnerable community. You cannot claim to care about safety while advancing policies that make people less safe. I’m asking you to reflect seriously on the role Congress plays in shaping the conditions that lead to violence and stigma. I’m asking you to listen to the trans community instead of speaking over them. And I’m asking you to legislate with humanity, accuracy, and responsibility. Honor Trans Day of Remembrance not with silence or symbolic gestures, but with action that protects trans lives: reject harmful bills, end scapegoating, and support policies that ensure dignity, healthcare access, and equal rights. Your leadership has the power to save lives or put them at risk. Please choose the former.