Protect trans and LGBTQ+ North Carolinians

As a North Carolinian, I write to express grave concerns about S.631 and urge you to reject this bill, which would be bad for North Carolina, especially for our schools and our young people. S.631 would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics. This bill has no place in North Carolina. It is unnecessary, mean-spirited, and would damage the mental health of our young people. I oppose S.631 because I believe that transgender students, like any other students, deserves the same chances to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers. We know the extreme damage that bills like this have on the mental health of transgender youth; a recent study showed that 85% of trans or nonbinary youth say anti-transgender bills negatively impact their mental health. I strongly believe that every North Carolinian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. Please reject S.631.