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WASHINGTON – Win Without War released the following statement regarding recent attacks on trans rights and safety by Texas Governor Greg Abbott:

“Win Without War is in solidarity with the transgender community in Texas and across the United States as we witness the incredibly violent and dangerous laws put into action by Governor Abbott. We are horrified at Abbott’s recent order to investigate trans children and their families for accessing gender-affirming medical care, and we fear for the freedom and safety of trans people in Texas and in every state where similar laws are posing a threat of direct harm to the trans community.

“Executive Director Sara Haghdoosti said: ‘Governments using the state’s power to target families and threaten them with separation from their children is something we’ve seen happen in Indigenous communities and in Immigrant communities as well. This kind of horrific tactic that uses children for political point scoring has no place in our politics – and as a parent I’m abhorred and disgusted by the type of terror these measures are designed to inflict.’

“We unequivocally support the rights of transgender people to access the healthcare they are entitled to, and to live with dignity and without fear of retribution or harm to themselves, their families, their support networks, or their care providers. Gender-affirming care should be viewed by lawmakers across the country for what it is – invaluable, and often lifesaving, healthcare which can allow trans people to live safely and freely as themselves. Safe access to this care is a basic right and must be protected under law.

“The trans community has been under constant attack across the United States – from the 250+ pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation which were introduced in 2021, to the outright targeting and discrimination playing out in Texas and Florida legislation so far this year, to the hundreds of cases of violent crimes against trans people each year – and it must come to an end. For political leaders anywhere in the country to suggest that offering gender-affirming care to trans youth or that the representation of trans people in sports or literature is in any way abusive is yet another cruel, transphobic misrepresentation and is undoubtedly a violation of human rights leading to to a terrifying precedent for trans people and their support networks.

“In order to combat such discrimination and violence, as well as to truly have the backs of transgender people in places such as Texas, the Biden administration must use every executive and political tool to provide full legal protections and a start to healing for all transgender persons far past what the 22 states banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity and/or expression provide.  The safety and dignity of the trans community is inextricably linked to that of all other oppressed peoples, and our fight for true security must include protecting all people against such attacks on their rights and their lives, both here and abroad.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in the United States.