1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I'm asking you to oppose age verification and digital ID laws that are locking trans people out of online spaces. These systems are discriminatory by design, and they're spreading fast—over half of US states have already passed them. The technology itself fails trans people at disproportionate rates. Facial age estimation algorithms measure features like brow ridges and skin texture, which change dramatically during hormone replacement therapy. A trans man on HRT gets his age overestimated, while a trans woman gets hers underestimated. Document verification systems flag anyone whose ID doesn't match their appearance, which describes most trans people after states like Kansas invalidated their licenses with SB 244. These aren't bugs—they're features of systems specifically designed to detect discrepancies. The laws use vague language requiring "any commercially reasonable method" without mandating accuracy standards or appeal processes. Third-party vendors disclaim liability in their terms of service, and platforms face legal risk if they don't implement something. Nobody is accountable when trans people get locked out. This goes beyond pornography. Definitions of content "harmful to children" are flexible enough to target LGBTQ+ information and birth control resources. For trans people who found community online, these laws destroy irreplaceable support systems. Vote against any age verification legislation that lacks explicit protections, accuracy requirements, and appeal mechanisms.