Thread by @audrey4congress

Today, Rep. LaMalfa released a statement about two bills he has introduced in the House of Representatives that are a direct attack on the transgender community, and particularly transgender children. (1/15)

There are almost no words to describe the anger and disgust I am feeling. But I will harness those emotions into actions to defend the transgender kids who need and deserve access to affirming environments, adults, and services. (2/15)

I will fight for the entire LGBT*Q+ community whose rights and protections have been systematically attacked by this administration and elected officials like Rep. LaMalfa. (3/15)

And I will continue to shine a light on the blatant recklessness of the Congressman’s proposals and the hypocrisy that he continues to display in his decision-making. (4/15)

While Rep. LaMalfa claims to be a small government libertarian, he has demonstrated once again that he is okay with the government intervening in and dictating personal medical decisions -- as long as those decisions don’t align with his personal worldview. (5/15)

I want to share the experience of someone who is very dear to my heart, who is the parent of a transgender child, and whose lived experience may teach the Congressman a few things about gender identity and expression: (6/15)

“As difficult as it is to understand for those of us who fit within socialized gender norms, my experience with my own child has taught me there really is a wide range of gender experience and identity that deeply needs to be expressed... (7/15)

"Parents & families need a full range of tools at their disposal to help their children achieve that. Children certainly need guidance & direction in making decisions about their lives & bodies - from parents, mentors, & medical professionals, not the federal government... (8/15)

The Congressman has confused sex and gender. He needs to go back to school and take a Sociology 101 course – but more than that, he needs to listen to the lived experience of the thousands of transgender people who live within his district, and their families.” (9/15)

Countless studies have demonstrated that transgender teens are one of the highest risk groups for attempting suicide. (10/15)

Research also demonstrates that when LGBTQ-identified young people have supportive and affirming adults and services in their lives, their risk of suicide significantly decreases. (11/15)

Access to gender-affirming environments and services is literally a life or death situation for transgender kids, and the Congressman is putting thousands of children in his district at risk with his proposed legislation. (12/15)

Rep. LaMalfa, your days of harming the people you have sworn to serve are numbered. In November, we will replace you with a leader that believes in the dignity, worth, and rights of every single person in this country. (13/15)

We will show you that our voices are stronger than bigotry, ignorance, and divisiveness, and we will build a future for the North State and our nation that truly honors the values of liberty and justice for all. (14/15)

⭐️Read the Congressman’s press release here: lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/p…

⭐️Tell Rep. LaMalfa about the harm these bills will cause by calling his office: Washington DC [phone]; Auburn [phone]; Chico [phone]; and Redding [phone]. (15/15)

#AudreyDenney2020

cc: @eqca, @transstudent, @GLSEN, @TransLawCenter, @TransEquality, @HRC, @LGBTEqCaucus, @VictoryFund