Washington DC — The National Federation of Stonewall Democrats calls on all 47 Democratic United States Senators to unanimously vote against cloture on HR 28, banning women who are transgender from participating in sports, as just the first step in a reinvigorated defense against the right wing extremists of the Trump Administration, who have launched unprecedented  attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. It is imperative that Democratic leaders take decisive action to protect the freedoms and dignity of LGBTQ+ Americans, who are facing all out assaults on everything from marriage equality, transgender rights, and access to lifesaving healthcare—including PrEP and HIV treatment.

 

“It’s time for Democrats to reject the lies that Trump and his puppets are telling to whip up anti-transgender sentiment, “ said Jeremy Comeau, President of the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats. “We cannot wait for courts to act or for elections to shift the balance of power. Democrats need to be vocal and vigilant in rejecting the attempts to find legislative cover for Trump’s illegal Executive Orders.”

This reinvigorated effort should not be limited to the federal level, said Kristen Browde, Vice President of the Federation. “Now is the time for bold Executive Orders from Democratic Governors, emergency legislative action in states where reason still prevails, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every LGBTQ+ person has the right to live freely and safely.”

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In the face of unprecedented attacks on marriage equality, transgender rights, and access to lifesaving healthcare—including PrEP and HIV treatment. States like Iowa,Texas, and Tennessee are blatantly violating the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and Equal Protection under the Constitution by enacting discriminatory laws against LGBTQ+ individuals. These attacks demand an urgent and forceful response from Democratic leaders at every level.

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The National Federation of Stonewall Democrats urges Democratic leaders at all levels of government to take immediate and concrete actions, including but not limited to:

• Passing state-level protections for marriage equality, ensuring that LGBTQ+ couples’ rights are safeguarded regardless of federal uncertainty.

• Strengthening and expanding nondiscrimination laws in employment, housing, healthcare, and education to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.

• Enacting executive orders to defend gender-affirming care and prevent healthcare bans targeting transgender people.

• Allocating funding for expanded access to PrEP, HIV treatment, and affirming medical care for LGBTQ+ communities.

• Protecting LGBTQ+ youth from forced outing policies, book bans, and censorship in schools that erase queer history and identities.

• Implementing sanctuary state policies for transgender individuals and families fleeing persecution from hostile states.

• Publicly condemning the Department of Homeland Security’s allowance of surveillance on individuals based on sexual orientation, an egregious violation of privacy and civil liberties that must be immediately reversed.

• Calling on Senate Democrats to use every legislative tool at their disposal to slow down and block any bill that targets LGBTQ+ rights, ensuring that discriminatory legislation cannot advance unchecked.

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With extremist-led legislatures in multiple states actively working to roll back hard-won rights, Democratic-led states must be the firewall against bigotry. The National Federation of Stonewall Democrats calls on every Democratic governor and legislative leader to introduce, advance, and sign legislation that ensures LGBTQ+ individuals—particularly transgender and nonbinary people—are not left vulnerable to discrimination and harm.

 

“History will judge our leaders on how they respond to this moment,” added Comeau. “Democratic-led states must not only protect LGBTQ+ rights but also lead the charge in expanding them. Silence is complicity, and inaction is unacceptable.”

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The National Federation of Stonewall Democrats stands ready to assist in these efforts and will continue to advocate fiercely for the LGBTQ+ community in every state and at every level of government.

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