1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent report by the Heritage Foundation that falsely claims 50% of school shootings since 2015 are linked to "transgender ideology." This report is not only factually inaccurate but also dangerously misleading, and I urge you to take a stand against such misinformation that threatens the safety and rights of transgender individuals. An analysis by Wired magazine has thoroughly debunked the Heritage Foundation's claims. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there have been 48 school shootings since 2015. Of these, only three shooters were credibly identified as transgender or undergoing gender-affirming care. This represents a mere 6.25% of cases, far from the 50% claimed in the report. Furthermore, experts in the field have found no evidence to support the notion that transgender individuals are disproportionately responsible for mass violence events. In fact, the data suggests quite the opposite. Studies show that 95% of mass shooters since 1966 have been male, with the vast majority being cisgender. The real drivers of ideologically motivated gun violence are white supremacist, anti-government, and misogynist beliefs. The Heritage Foundation's call for the FBI to investigate "Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism" as a domestic terrorist threat is not only baseless but also potentially harmful. Such unfounded accusations can lead to increased discrimination and violence against an already vulnerable community. I implore you to publicly reject these false claims and to advocate for policies that protect transgender rights while addressing the real causes of gun violence in our schools. We need evidence-based approaches to public safety, not scapegoating of marginalized communities. Please use your platform to educate your colleagues and constituents about the true facts surrounding school shootings and to promote understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals. By doing so, you will be contributing to a safer and more inclusive society for all. I look forward to hearing about your actions to counter this misinformation and to support our transgender community members. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.