Senator Rivera on the Trump Administration's Plan to Strip Transgender Americans of their Fundamental Human Rights

"The cruel policy change proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services to redefine the legal definition of gender to only recognize that which is biologically determined at birth, further confirms that the Trump administration will make every possible attempt to dehumanize our country's transgender community. In doing so, they are attempting to erase the almost 1.5 million Americans who identify as transgender and maliciously strip them of their most fundamental human rights. 

It is profoundly infuriating to see that this administration is working around the clock to impose its intolerant and warped view of the world on the rest of our fellow Americans. If this vile policy is implemented, our country will suffer a major setback in what should be our government's ultimate goal -- to ensure that every American is treated equally and fairly under the law.

I want to reiterate my unwavering support to the transgender community in New York State and across the country as they face another significant assault on their basic rights as individuals. As a member of the New York Legislature, and hopefully a legislative majority, I will diligently work with my colleagues to finally pass GENDA during the next legislative session and provide transgender New Yorkers the support and protections they need and deserve."