1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am outraged to learn that the House of Representatives is considering legislation (H.R. 3492) from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene that would criminalize the healthcare that transgender people need. Subjecting providers of gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 18 to fines and up to 10 years in federal prison ignores the essential, even life-saving, role of this healthcare. We have seen wave after wave of similar measures in the states, in Congress, and from the Trump administration to criminalize and strip transgender people of their right to safety, dignity, and autonomy. I am writing – during a genuine moment of crisis – to urge you to oppose and vote NO on this extremely dangerous proposal to criminalize healthcare for transgender people under 18. I want to be very clear: Gender-affirming medical care, including for transgender people under 18, is evidence-based, medically necessary, and life-saving. This is why every leading medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly opposes efforts to criminalize and deny this care to transgender people. Patients and their doctors should be the ones making individual healthcare decisions, not politicians. As a member of Congress, you must fight against this. Transgender people deserve the same chance to thrive and live fulfilling lives as everyone else. Having the freedom to control our bodies and seek the healthcare we need, including gender-affirming medical care, is an essential right for all people. I urge you to oppose and vote NO on this proposal to criminalize gender-affirming medical care (H.R. 3492). I also urge you not to remain silent in this moment. Use your voice to show support for the transgender community publicly. Most importantly, use your power to protect life-saving healthcare for trans youth and adults alike.