1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

Trans people deserve the same fundamental rights as everyone else, including the right to make decisions about their own healthcare. Efforts to criminalize or deny gender-affirming care go against the recommendations of major medical organizations and deprive trans individuals of essential, life-saving treatment. As an elected representative, you have a duty to safeguard the wellbeing and autonomy of all your constituents, including the trans community. I urge you to publicly oppose any measures aimed at restricting access to gender-affirming care and take concrete steps to protect the rights and healthcare needs of transgender people. The context provided highlights the alarming escalation of discriminatory policies across many states that ban or criminalize gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults. These laws undermine crucial medical guidance and infringe on the basic freedoms of an already vulnerable group. Furthermore, proposed federal legislation like that introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens to escalate this crisis nationwide. A ban on gender-affirming care would have devastating consequences, denying medically necessary treatment and further marginalizing the trans community. Leading health authorities like the AMA, APA, and AAP have all affirmed that gender-affirming care is safe, ethical, and often lifesaving for those who need it. Medical decisions should be made between patients and their doctors, not by politicians pushing ideological agendas. As a representative, you must resist the spread of fear-mongering and misinformation, and instead stand up for evidence-based policies that uphold human rights. The transgender community deserves dignity, respect, and equal access to the care they require to live authentically. I implore you to be a vocal advocate against discrimination, safeguard trans healthcare rights at all levels, and ensure trans people can thrive as their true selves. Your leadership on this issue is crucial to protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Thank you for your consideration.