Oppose H.R. 7661 - Harmful Ban on Acknowledging Trans Students

I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 7661, a federal bill that would ban all federally funded K-12 schools from developing, implementing, facilitating, hosting, or promoting anything involving what the bill defines as "sexually oriented material," which explicitly includes anything involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism. This legislation is dangerously broad and would effectively prohibit virtually all K-12 schools from mentioning or acknowledging trans people in any capacity. The bill would ban books that mention trans people, prevent sex education programs from discussing trans identities, shut down support groups and GSAs that provide crucial resources to vulnerable students, and may even force trans teachers into the closet. Schools would be unable to affirm trans students' identities out of fear of losing federal funding. Perhaps most troubling is that H.R. 7661 codifies the false and harmful idea that trans people are inherently sexually explicit. Under the bill, the only other thing designated as sexually explicit is depictions of sexual intercourse as defined under 18 U.S.C. § 2256. This equation is not only factually incorrect but deeply stigmatizing. It goes beyond even Florida's extreme Don't Say Gay law passed in 2022. Trans students already face tremendous political pressure and discrimination. This nationwide ban would write trans people out of the US education system entirely, denying students access to accurate information and support systems that can be lifesaving. Research consistently shows that affirming environments reduce suicide risk and improve mental health outcomes for trans youth. Schools should be safe spaces where all students can learn and be themselves. H.R. 7661 would do the opposite, erasing an entire community from public education and putting vulnerable young people at greater risk. I strongly urge you to oppose this harmful legislation and stand up for the dignity and safety of all students.