Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Democrats reintroduce Trans Bill of Rights as "a moral commitment" to trans people

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/02/democrats-reintroduce-trans-bill-of-rights-as-a-moral-commitment-to-trans-people/

Molly Sprayregen (12 Feb 2026)

Democrats in both the House and Senate have reintroduced the Transgender Bill of Rights, calling on the federal government to "codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security."

The effort is being led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), who is the parent of a transgender child. The pair also introduced the Trans Bill of Rights in 2023.

"We are laying out a comprehensive vision to provide protections for transgender and nonbinary people — a vision that ensures that every single person has a chance to thrive," Jayapal said during a press conference announcing the bill's reintroduction.

"A vision that says: you are us, you belong, and you are worthy of the same rights as everyone else. This bill supports amending the Civil Rights Act to ensure that trans people have the same rights and protections as all other Americans. It creates a level playing field where trans people no longer have to fight tooth and nail to get the same treatment as their cisgender friends."

The legislation establishes that an estimated 1.6 million trans adults live in the United States and says the Supreme Court affirmed in Bostock v. Clayton County "that Federal protection against discrimination on the basis of sex includes protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."

I have to say I am surprised. I really thought that LGBTQ2+ rights would be way down on the list of things they worry about. This actually gives me hope, I don't expect the bill to go anywhere as there are some Democrats that are going to vote against it but at least someone is making the attempt.

Quote from: Athena on Today at 02:22:13 PMLGBTQ2+ rights would be way down on the list of things they worry about

I think it is appropriate that they address this, futile though the attempt may be at this moment.  The extermination of trans people is right at the top of the regime's agenda.  Opposing that agenda should be the opposition's top priority.

Quote from: Athena on Today at 02:22:13 PMat least someone is making the attempt

Amen to that!

I sincerely hope that the bill is not too aggressive. If it focuses on non-discrimination, it could gain support. But if it explicitly presses on pronoun use or other issues that would be better implied than stated, there will be too much opposition. Even non-activist supporters of LGBTQ issues have admitted they have pronoun fatigue where pronouns are included in company correspondence and other areas where they are not necessary. Many feel that their use is a form of "virtue signaling," and they are tired of it.

However, if the bill remains focused on expanding the Civil Rights Act to include us, without pushing too many buttons, it could be a landmark bill that sets a precedent for future rulings.

I think they see "Trans Rights Are Human Rights" as more than a slogan, that it's very literally true. And they see the assault on transgender people by right-wing extremists as the genocide that it is becoming.

Lori, I don't think anyone in Congress (aside from some of the crazier Republicans) wants to legislate pronoun usage. Markey and Jayapal are both eminently reasonable people. The resolution is almost entirely about fundamental civil rights.

The text can be found here:

House Resolution 1058 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/1058/text)

Thanks, Pema!

Yes, the "pronoun issue" was just an example. Where I see the sticking point is:

"explicitly clarifying that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex, including gender identity or sex characteristics, in public accommodations and services on religious grounds;"

Everything else looks good to me. I especially like that it addresses military and veteran healthcare benefits, and the last line:

"(5) the actions listed in this resolution are only the first steps toward transgender equality."

This has my vote!