Hirono, Schatz, and Colleagues Introduce Resolution Celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 15 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing the achievements and courage of the transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and gender-diverse communities around the world, and to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility.

“Despite the progress we’ve made toward equality, trans people—particularly trans people of color—continue to face discrimination and attacks. On this International Transgender Day of Visibility and always, I stand in solidarity with trans people everywhere and celebrate their perseverance, vibrance, and the important contributions they make to our society. I’ll keep fighting until all transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people have the freedom to live authentically,” said Senator Hirono.

“International Transgender Day of Visibility is about celebrating the transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and gender-diverse communities around the world – their achievements, their courage, and their right to live authentically and openly. But it is also about raising awareness of the discrimination and violence they still face today. While we have made significant progress over the years – thanks to the bravery of many transgender leaders – the work for full equality, acceptance, and civil rights protections continues,” said Senator Schatz.

In addition to Sen. Hirono, Schatz’s resolution is cosponsored by 15 other U.S. Senators, including Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky  Rosen (D-Nev.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).

International Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009. Since then, the transgender community has seen many visible leaders in both government and popular culture.

A similar resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.).

The full text of Schatz’s resolution is available here.

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