1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take a firm stand against any anti-transgender provisions in the upcoming budget negotiations. Recent inflammatory rhetoric from former President Donald Trump has falsely claimed that Democrats are demanding "transgender operations for everybody" as part of budget discussions. These statements are not only untrue but also deeply harmful to our transgender community. The facts paint a very different picture. Gender-affirming surgeries for minors are extremely rare, with fewer than 1,200 performed in the highest volume year nationwide. Furthermore, only about 2.8 million people in the United States identify as transgender, which is less than 1% of our population. Claims of "operations for everybody" are wildly inaccurate and serve only to spread misinformation and fear. We must not allow such baseless accusations to influence critical budget decisions. The rights and well-being of transgender individuals, a vulnerable minority group, should not be used as a political bargaining chip. I strongly urge you to reject any budget riders that would discriminate against or harm the transgender community. If necessary, I believe we should be prepared to allow a government shutdown rather than compromise on the fundamental rights of minority groups. While a shutdown is not ideal, it is preferable to passing a budget that enshrines discrimination into law. Our government should be focused on protecting all citizens, especially those most vulnerable to discrimination. By standing firm against anti-trans provisions, you will be upholding the principles of equality and justice that our nation aspires to embody. I ask that you publicly commit to opposing any anti-transgender budget riders and work diligently to ensure that our federal budget reflects our values of inclusivity and respect for all Americans. The integrity of our democracy and the lives of countless transgender individuals depend on your unwavering support in this critical moment.