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.