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Dozens of the nation's lawmakers have hung the transgender flag at their offices in a show of support as Trump's trans military ban moves forward.
To show support for transgender people, several politicians including Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Bernie Sanders have displayed the trans flag outside of their offices ahead of Sunday's Transgender Day of Visibility. The flags arrived at the offices of politicians via the National Center for Transgender Equality, which said it was challenging the nation's leaders to show their support for trans people (who are currently under siege by the Trump administration especially in light of the trans military ban).
"To mark this year's #TransVisibilityWeek, we've done something UNPRECEDENTED: With the help of community members & volunteers, we delivered trans pride flags to EVERY member of the Congress, from every party, including voting members and non-voting delegates," the National Center for Transgender Equality tweeted. "Every. Single. One. Our request: Fly them outside your office for #TransVisibilityWeek."
"We'll be RTing and QTing members of Congress all week as they show up for their trans constituents and hang a flag for trans visibility," the organization continued. "Our rights as a community must no longer be ignored. Watch #WontBeErased and #TransVisibilityWeek all this week for more."
\u201c3/ We\u2019ll be RTing and QTing members of Congress all week as they show up for their trans constituents and hang a flag for trans visibility. Our rights as a community must no longer be ignored. Watch #WontBeErased and #TransVisibilityWeek all this week for more.\u201d— National Center for Transgender Equality (@National Center for Transgender Equality) 1553606461
Among the country's elected officials who've taken photos of the flags outside their offices and spoken out on social media are U.S. Sen. Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass), Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), and several more.
\u201cDiscrimination has no place in our society. I am proud to display this flag as a symbol of my support for transgender people across the country. We must stand with transgender people in all of our communities.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1553610248
Meanwhile, House Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) have also reportedly hung their flags in a show of support, according to The Hill.
The call to show support for transgender Americans comes at a time when the rights and well being of trans people are threatened under the Trump administration.
On Wednesday, a federal appeals court struck down the last barrier to the administration's trans military ban going into effect in April.
Several members of Congress are backing legislation to permanently block the ban, and trans troops have testified against the ban before a House subcommittee. But as it stands, as of April 12, the ban goes into effect and an estimated 13,700 trans service members (out of an estimated 15,000 total) will be kicked out, and other openly trans people will not be able to enlist.
Here are some of the tweets from lawmakers proudly showing support for transgender Americans.
\u201cProud to hang the trans flag outside of my D.C. office during #TransVisibilityWeek. To my trans constituents and to the entire trans and gender non-conforming community: you are loved, you are strong and you #WontBeErased.\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1553564265
\u201cDuring #TransVisibilityWeek, I\u2019m hanging the transgender pride flag outside of my office to show my support for transgender Americans. We must stop discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and this flag is a symbol of my commitment to ensuring the equality and dignity of all.\u201d— Mike Doyle (@Mike Doyle) 1553715466
\u201cThis #TransVisibilityWeek, I'm proud to display the transgender pride flag outside my office as a reminder that Virginia is open and accepting to ALL.\u201d— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@Rep. Gerry Connolly) 1553714215
\u201cTrans rights are human rights and I\u2019m committed to ensuring transgender individuals in New Mexico and across the country #wontbeerased by prejudice, fear, or violence. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Senator Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (@Senator Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n) 1553712994
\u201cDuring #TransVisibilityWeek, I'm proud to display the transgender pride flag outside my DC office. We must all do our part to call out and push back against the hate and discrimination directed toward the trans community. They deserve equality and respect.\u201d— Archive: Congressman Tim Ryan (@Archive: Congressman Tim Ryan) 1553705772
\u201cTo every transgender American: I see you, I hear you, and you #WontBeErased. As a member of the @LGBTEqCaucus, I will do everything I can to fight the hateful ban on transgender patriots in the military and every act of prejudice against the trans community. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell) 1553704644
\u201cAs a proud member of the @LGBTEqCaucus, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear or prejudice. I am committed to safety and equality for all. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (@Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D.) 1553700874
\u201cIt is #TransVisibilityWeek - a critical recognition of the extraordinary, daily courage and dignity of the transgender community. I am committed to fighting for justice and equality for trans individuals - in our classrooms, armed forces, health care systems, and everyday life.\u201d— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz) 1553701278
\u201cI'm proud to fly the transgender pride flag outside of my office during #TransVisibilityWeek as a statement of commitment to uplifting transgender people in Orange County and across the country, and as a rejection of prejudice and hate.\u201d— Archived: Rep. Harley Rouda (@Archived: Rep. Harley Rouda) 1553701563
\u201cOur commitment to civil rights must always be a commitment to the rights of ALL people. That's why I'm proud to hang the transgender pride flag for #TransVisibilityWeek and remind my transgender constituents they #WontBeErased as long as I hold office.\u201d— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi) 1553696405
\u201cDisplaying the trans flag outside of my D.C. office during #TransVisibilityWeek to show support for the trans community in my district and across the country. We must stand up for the dignity of trans people and fight for their rights every single day. Trans people #WontBeErased.\u201d— Mark Takano (@Mark Takano) 1553693928
\u201cFor #TransVisibilityWeek, I\u2019m proud to show my support for transgender Americans in Wisconsin and across the country.\n\nTransgender people deserve dignity and equality, as well as our respect as our loved ones, our colleagues, and our fellow Americans. #WontBeErased\u201d— Rep. Mark Pocan (@Rep. Mark Pocan) 1553659200
\u201cIn these divisive times, we must remember our duty to treat everyone with dignity and respect. In honor of #TransVisibilityWeek, I will display the transgender pride flag to show my trans/non-binary constituents and friends they #WontBeErased as long as I hold office.\u201d— Yvette D. Clarke (@Yvette D. Clarke) 1553640701
\u201cAs a member of the Equality Caucus, I will continue the fight to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. This flag is an expression of my commitment to preserve the right of every person to live with dignity and pride. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Paul Tonko (@Paul Tonko) 1553635741
\u201cIn divisive times, it's more important than ever to lead by example and treat everyone with dignity and respect. To San Diego's transgender community: I will always fight to ensure you don't face hate, discrimination, or prejudice. You #WontBeErased. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Rep. Scott Peters (@Rep. Scott Peters) 1553634900
\u201cAs a member of the Equality Caucus, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. This flag is a symbol of my commitment to preserve the right of every person to dignity and pride. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Sheila Jackson Lee (@Sheila Jackson Lee) 1553634787
\u201cNo one should be forced to live in the shadows out of fear. I see you, I hear you and I will never stop fighting for the full legal and social equality of the transgender community. Our diversity is our greatest promise. Your visibility is a strength. #WontBeErased\u201d— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon) 1553634123
\u201cFor #TransVisibilityWeek I am honored to show my support for my transgender constituents and transgender people across the country. In Congress, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, and prejudice.\u201d— Rep. Sean Casten (@Rep. Sean Casten) 1553628513
\u201cAs a member of the Equality Caucus, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. This flag is a symbol of my commitment to preserve the right of every person to dignity and pride. #TransVisibilityWeek\u201d— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman) 1553630049
\u201cIt\u2019s empowering to place the trans flag outside of my office during #TransVisibilityWeek. We will continue to fight for the entire trans and gender non-conforming community. Whether it is serving in the military or using the restroom of your choice, you #WontBeErased\u201d— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@Congresswoman Madeleine Dean) 1553629565
\u201cI\u2019m proud to hang the Transgender Pride Flag on our #AZ02 door. In the halls of Congress, we should always remember our commitment to safety and equality for ALL. #TransVisibilityWeek #WontBeErased\u201d— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (@Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick) 1553628762
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