Members of Congress are marking International Transgender Day of Visibility early, by placing trans pride flags outside their offices. The annual event occurs each year on March 31.
The flags were seen outside the offices of Sen. Bernie Sanders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rep. Jennifer Wexton, among others, reports NBC News.
“Discrimination has no place in our society,” Sanders said in a statement. “I am proud to display this flag as a symbol of my support for transgender people across the country. We must stand with transgender people in all of our communities.”
Discrimination has no place in our society. I am proud to display this flag as a symbol of my support for transgender people across the country. We must stand with transgender people in all of our communities. pic.twitter.com/W6Esa16vzP
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 26, 2019
Rep. Lori Trahan thanked the National Center for Transgender Equality for helping to “bring this visibility to the halls of Congress.”
The group distributed the flags to every member of Congress and asked them to display them outside their offices “to show their support for the equality and dignity of the trans people in their district.” The organization also tweeted that it would be retweeting images and videos of those displays.
I am proud to hang the transgender pride flag outside my office this #TransVisibilityWeek. Transgender people deserve dignity and our respect as our loved ones, our colleagues, and our fellow Americans. Glad @TransEquality helped bring this visibility to the halls of Congress. pic.twitter.com/HGpvN7sKKw
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) March 25, 2019
“Transgender people are in every town, every city, and every district. We are woven into the fabric of American society and we are never going anywhere,” Gillian Branstetter, a spokesperson for the National Center for Transgender Equality, said. “We wanted to make it clear to every member of Congress that we are their constituents and our rights can no longer be ignored.”
“Transgender people are often told to hide ourselves from public life, whether it’s before we leave the closet or after we come out and find ourselves judged for failing to conform to strict gender norms,” Branstetter added. “But our visibility is also our greatest strength. By living our lives without fear or shame, we can change our workplaces, our communities, and even the halls of power.
I’m proud to hang the Transgender Pride Flag on our #AZ02 door. In the halls of Congress, we should always remember our commitment to safety and equality for ALL. #TransVisibilityWeek #WontBeErased pic.twitter.com/Iu1Hy8aZvx
— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (@RepKirkpatrick) March 26, 2019
During #TransVisibilityWeek, I'm proud to display the transgender pride flag outside my DC office. We must all do our part to call out and push back against the hate and discrimination directed toward the trans community. They deserve equality and respect. pic.twitter.com/7ZyiO9qIv3
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) March 27, 2019
To every transgender American: I see you, I hear you, and you #WontBeErased. As a member of the @LGBTEqCaucus, I will do everything I can to fight the hateful ban on transgender patriots in the military and every act of prejudice against the trans community. #TransVisibilityWeek pic.twitter.com/AP0m9JO9QX
— Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@RepDMP) March 27, 2019
In these divisive times, we must remember our duty to treat everyone with dignity and respect. In honor of #TransVisibilityWeek, I will display the transgender pride flag to show my trans/non-binary constituents and friends they #WontBeErased as long as I hold office. pic.twitter.com/vFEWNT2aj0
— Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) March 26, 2019
For #TransVisibilityWeek, I’m proud to show my support for transgender Americans in Wisconsin and across the country.
Transgender people deserve dignity and equality, as well as our respect as our loved ones, our colleagues, and our fellow Americans. #WontBeErased pic.twitter.com/mTJVEYxdlY
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) March 27, 2019
Displaying the trans flag outside of my D.C. office during #TransVisibilityWeek to show support for the trans community in my district and across the country. We must stand up for the dignity of trans people and fight for their rights every single day. Trans people #WontBeErased. pic.twitter.com/acIuOG6p0S
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) March 27, 2019
I'm proud to fly the transgender pride flag outside of my office during #TransVisibilityWeek as a statement of commitment to uplifting transgender people in Orange County and across the country, and as a rejection of prejudice and hate. pic.twitter.com/96GgHtm64t
— Rep. Harley Rouda (@RepHarley) March 27, 2019
It is #TransVisibilityWeek – a critical recognition of the extraordinary, daily courage and dignity of the transgender community. I am committed to fighting for justice and equality for trans individuals – in our classrooms, armed forces, health care systems, and everyday life. pic.twitter.com/cqDGbF4ySo
— Rep. Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) March 27, 2019
As a proud member of the @LGBTEqCaucus, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear or prejudice. I am committed to safety and equality for all. #TransVisibilityWeek pic.twitter.com/eB9nihPsaI
— Rep. Kim Schrier (@RepKimSchrier) March 27, 2019
