[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Ms. Clark) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, ahead of Trans Day of 
Visibility, I rise in honor of a community that is being forced to 
fight for its very existence. I rise in honor of trans voices that 
deserve to be heard, not silenced and not criminalized. I rise in honor 
of trans joy that deserves to be celebrated, not eradicated. I rise 
with unconditional love for my trans daughter, Riley. I rise in 
solidarity with every trans American seeking nothing less than their 
inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.
  To stand in the way of that right is to stand against our most basic 
American values, but that is exactly what MAGA extremists are doing 
across this country--on school boards, in State capitals, and here in 
the Halls of Congress.
  Elected officials are using their power to undermine the freedoms and 
human dignity of trans Americans, and they are waging an especially 
vicious crusade on our kids.
  These attacks make me all the more grateful for the unconditional 
love that Mimi and Joe Lemay of Massachusetts have for their son, 
Jacob. Mimi and Joe have faced vitriol and cruelty from rightwing 
extremists, all because they heard, accepted, and embraced Jacob when 
he told them he is a boy.

  A few years ago, Mimi shared a letter she wrote to her son, and I 
would like to offer a few of her moving words: ``You have at the age of 
9 years accomplished what many adults couldn't in a lifetime. In your 
courageous visibility, you have changed the course of your own history. 
You have turned strangers into allies and allies into advocates. 
Layered in my pride is my concern for you. I know your strength, but I 
also know how determined the forces are that have pitted themselves 
against you. The politicians and preachers who would rather see you 
languish in a dark closet than watch you engage the world as you do, 
cultivating joy and love wherever you go.''
  Madam Speaker, Jacob's courage demonstrates a profound strength. 
Let's show that strength the respect it demands. Let's reject the 
forces of opposition and bigotry. Let's celebrate the bravery and 
beauty of our trans community. Let's follow Jacob's example and 
cultivate joy and love wherever we go.

                          ____________________