[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Transgender Awareness 
Week. This is an important time to celebrate, honor, and uplift trans 
people--their history, their stories, and their culture.
  It is also a time to stand up against ongoing hate and 
discrimination. Extremist politicians around our country and in this 
Chamber continue to work to strip away the rights and liberties of the 
trans community.
  In ongoing appropriations debates, House Republicans have brought 
forward unserious proposals with riders targeting and demonizing the 
trans and broader LGBTQ+ communities. These riders include limiting 
access to essential and safe gender-affirming healthcare; bans on art 
forms, including drag; and allowing broad licenses to discriminate.
  The trans community deserves so much better. They deserve the 
ability, like all of us, to live fully and authentically without facing 
violence, discrimination, or harassment.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the trans 
community and oppose these cruel and relentless attacks. As a member of 
the Congressional Equality Caucus, I vow to continue to fight for the 
cause.

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