More than 200 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are demanding that House Speaker Mike Johnson take action against the surge of anti-trans rhetoric in Congress.
On Tuesday, 212 House Democrats, led by Rep. Mark Takano and trans Congresswoman Sarah McBride, signed an open letter urging Johnson to enforce the House’s rules of decorum and stop the spread of harmful language targeting transgender Americans.
The letter cited comments from members of Congress suggesting transgender people are mentally ill, inherently violent, or a national security threat. Signatories warned that such rhetoric, paired with “a rising number of legislative and administrative attacks,” is taking a measurable toll on the community.
Federal data from last year recorded 463 hate-crime incidents motivated by gender identity bias, underscoring the real-world consequences of inflammatory statements.
“Attacks on the Transgender Community Are Attacks on Every Community”
The Democrats’ letter emphasized that transgender Americans are woven into every corner of society. “Transgender people are veterans, teachers, doctors, parents, children, siblings, neighbors, and friends,” it read. “They are Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Attacks on the transgender community are attacks on every community. Transgender people deserve government officials who will lift them up, not attack them simply because of who they are.”
The letter serves as a call to lawmakers to recognize the humanity of transgender people and the risks posed by unchecked hostility in public discourse.
Anti-Trans Legislation on the Rise
The Trans Legislation Tracker reports that over 1,000 anti-trans bills are currently being considered across the U.S., marking the fifth consecutive record-breaking year for anti-trans legislative efforts. In 2024, 88 such bills were introduced at the federal level, though as of July, 647 proposals have failed to become law.
Democrats argue that enforcing House decorum and condemning discriminatory language is not just a matter of policy but a step toward protecting lives. With both rhetoric and legislation targeting transgender Americans showing no signs of slowing, advocates stress the need for accountability and leadership from the top.
