1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

As a constituent of yours, I am deeply concerned about H.R. 2616, a bill that would strip schools of federal funds for even acknowledging the existence of transgender people and would make school less safe for all students by putting barriers between vulnerable students, their teachers, counselors and other trusted adults. America is a country of freedom of speech and freedom of ideas. Those freedoms end when politicians start banning books and censoring curriculum simply because some people find them uncomfortable. Children deserve an honest and accurate education that enables them to learn about diverse identities and experiences to help create a better future. A public-school education helps students prepare for their future by encouraging curiosity and critical thinking through math and science, art and music, history and literature. But H.R. 2616 would force schools to purge books from their libraries that merely acknowledge that transgender people exist. It sets a dangerous precedent when politicians simply start censoring school content and books they don’t like. The politicians and groups behind these bills want to use our laws to control what students can and cannot read, what they can and cannot learn, and—most troublingly— who they can and cannot be. Our schools should protect all students—including LGBTQ students—so they can learn and thrive in a safe environment where they can see themselves reflected in the books they read. H.R. 2616 also forces school counselors, teachers, and other staff to out transgender children to their parents, regardless of the child's wishes and well-being. What this bill does is tell every student, LGBTQ+ or not, that they cannot trust the adults at school. Kids who have one trusted adult in their life are more likely to reach out for help when they need it and less likely to engage in harmful or self-harming behaviors. Take away the possibility of trust, and what options remain for a vulnerable kid? For LGBTQ+ youth, the process of coming out is deeply personal and involves risk—because four in 5 LGBTQ+ youth face stigma, discrimination and harm at school and 2 in 5 youth who are homeless are LGBTQ+ kids whose parents rejected them. Having a trained, trusted adult who can help a student navigate the coming out process safely, including helping them develop a safety plan to bring in their parents, is vital to an LGBTQ+ youth’s safety. H.R. 2616 yanks their safety net away. Please OPPOSE H.R. 2616 and get back to work ensuring ALL students can get a quality public education.