[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17766]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONOR TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. On 
this day, we remember those who have been killed as a result of anti-
transgender violence and take note of the continued violence directed 
at the transgender community.
  Sadly, violence and bullying against the transgender community is 
common. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, 
which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, nearly 80 percent of 
transgender students have been harassed in the K-12 school setting. 
That discrimination continues into the professional work environment. 
Transgender people are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to the 
general population and 90 percent have been mistreated at work. In 
September this year Erycka Morgan, a student at Rutgers University and 
LGBT advocate, was killed in a New Brunswick boarding house. Public 
reports and press releases identified Erycka as a male and authorities 
identified her by her birth name and gender, despite being advised of 
her transgender identity and her preferred name.
  As we remember those who have been killed or wounded by hate and 
violence, we also should commend the transgender community for working 
hard to educate Americans on the inequality they face. They are making 
great strides. Two weeks ago the Senate passed a fully inclusive 
Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The Senate-passed ENDA would 
prohibit employers from discriminating against an individual due to 
their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill passed by a 
strong bipartisan vote of 64-32. It is time for Speaker Boehner to 
bring that bill to the House floor.
  A few years ago, the House considered a version of ENDA that did not 
include gender identity. Although I strongly oppose employment 
discrimination against all people, including gays and lesbians, the 
fact that the bill did not include gender identity is why I could not 
support the legislation then. I expect that when we finally achieve an 
ENDA law, perhaps this year, it will be inclusive.
  Finally, I want to commend the LGBT advocates in New Jersey who have 
worked hard to achieve full equality in New Jersey. I share the 
excitement and sense of pride felt by my fellow New Jerseyans when the 
New Jersey Supreme Court refused to prohibit the issuance of marriage 
licenses to same-sex couples. We have a way to go towards full 
equality, but we are on the right path, a path that bends towards 
justice. In honor of Erycka Morgan and all those whose lives have been 
cut short due to violence rooted in ignorance, we will get there.

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