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

I am writing to express my deep concern over the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 proposal to designate transgender activism as a form of violent extremism. This alarming suggestion to create a new FBI category called "Trans Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism" (TIVE) is not only baseless but also poses a severe threat to civil liberties and the rights of transgender individuals. The proposal, if implemented, would allow for the use of surveillance and intelligence gathering tools against transgender rights activists and organizations. This is reminiscent of dark chapters in our nation's history when government surveillance was used to suppress civil rights movements. It's crucial to remember that transgender individuals are not inherently dangerous; they are simply seeking to live authentically and without fear of harm. The potential consequences of such a policy are far-reaching and deeply troubling. Even if the stated intent is to target only those inciting violence, the reality is that it could lead to widespread crackdowns on legitimate transgender advocacy. This echoes recent developments in Russia, where similar tactics have been used to silence LGBTQ+ organizations. Furthermore, reports that the FBI is developing tools to identify transgender suspects, coupled with statements from former Trump administration officials about targeting certain nonprofits, paint a disturbing picture of potential overreach and discrimination. I urge you to take a strong stance against this proposal and any similar initiatives. Our law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, should not be used as tools to oppress minority groups or stifle protected speech and advocacy. Instead, we should be working to ensure that all individuals, including transgender people, can live and express themselves freely without fear of government surveillance or persecution. Please use your position to speak out against this dangerous proposal and work towards policies that protect the rights and dignity of all Americans, regardless of their gender identity. The strength of our democracy depends on our ability to protect the rights of all individuals, especially those who have historically faced discrimination and marginalization.