California Congressman Mike Honda, a
Democrat, on Friday introduced a resolution calling for acceptance of
transgender people.
Honda's resolution, titled Expressing
Support for Transgender Acceptance, is backed by 19 House
members.
“This is another much-needed step in
our fight to ensure that the transgender community’s voice is
represented in Congress,” said Honda. “The transgender community
faces widespread bullying, harassment, and violence, and these
individuals do not yet have sufficient legal means of protection from
such discrimination in many states. We cannot achieve equality
without acceptance. This resolution is a step toward greater
acceptance of the transgender community. We must work to address the
challenges and risks that transgender individuals face on a daily
basis in their places of work, education, and housing, and ensure
that their individual rights are understood and respected.”
Groups which have endorsed the
resolution include the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National
Center for Transgender Equality and Equality California.
Honda chairs the Transgender Equality
Task Force, a congressional task force for transgender rights created
in November.