1. United States
2. R.I.
3. Letter

I am a transgender woman and I am outraged to learn that the House of Representatives is considering legislation (H.R. 3492) from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene that would criminalize the healthcare that transgender people need. Subjecting providers of gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 18 to fines and up to 10 years in federal prison ignores the essential, even life-saving, role of this healthcare. Likewise, I am strongly opposed to a bill (H.R. 498) from Representative Dan Crenshaw that would ban Medicaid coverage of this care for transgender youth. We have seen wave after wave of similar measures in the states, in Congress, and from the Trump administration to criminalize and strip transgender people of their right to safety, dignity, and autonomy. I am writing – during a genuine moment of crisis – to urge you to oppose and vote NO on these extremely dangerous proposals to ban coverage of health care for transgender people under 18. I want to be very clear: Gender-affirming medical care, including for transgender people under 18, is evidence-based, necessary, safe, and lifesaving. This is why every leading medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly opposes efforts to criminalize and deny this care to transgender people. Patients and their doctors should be the ones making individual healthcare decisions, not politicians. As a member of Congress, you must fight against this. Transgender people deserve the same chance to thrive and live fulfilling lives as everyone else. Having the freedom to control our bodies and seek the healthcare we need, including gender-affirming medical care, is an essential right for all people. A yes vote from you will mean I will be voting for your challenger. Thank you.