1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am a transgender Illinoisan. I’m terrified of the federal government’s attacks on my community. I don’t want to have to leave the country, but if and when the state of Illinois is no longer able to protect me, I will have no choice. I’m also worried because several prominent Democrats, including our own Rahm Emanuel, have turned their backs on the trans community. If Democrats are complicit, then the Republicans’ genocidal goals will become reality. Illinois is especially important to the trans community because it is home to so many internally displaced refugees from the rest of the Midwest and the South. We must stay strong in order to continue to be a refuge for half the country. Please stay strong in your support of the trans community. I am proud to call you my governor.