Former US president, Barack Obama, said the wave of anti-trans bills sweeping the country is āheartbreakingā in an interview with Advocate. 2021 has seen over 30 states propose bills that target young trans peopleās access to healthcare and/or school sports, with Obama saying: āIt breaks my heart. This is not who we areā, and pointing out that the bills are doing āreal harmā to trans Americans āwhether they end up passing or notā.
He continued: āAmerica has always been at its best when we open our arms wider and help more people feel like they belong ā not treat them like second-class citizens because theyāre different.ā His words of support for young trans people come shortly after president Joe Biden tweeted a message of trans solidarity, saying: āI want you to know your president has your back.ā
When discussing the future of LGBTQ+ rights in America, Obama said he was āso happyā to see Biden sign an anti-discrimination order on his first day in office, but added: āWe need to do even more to guarantee basic rights and protections for every American.ā In addition to Bidenās anti-discrimination order, the Equality Act is currently heading to the Senate for debate. If successful, it would add pro-LGBTQ+ policies to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, including prohibiting housing, employment and education discrimination.
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