Transgender Americans are at some of the greatest risk of hate violence, yet have limited protection under federal hate crimes law.
Even as celebrities like Bruce Jenner and Laverne Cox bring transgender issues to the forefront, a 2014 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs identified more than 2,000 incidents of hate crimes against transgender people. The severity of crimes against transgender people increased from 2013 to 2014, with crimes involving physical violence increasing by more than a fifth.
But even those alarming figures likely greatly understate violence against transgender Americans — the study drew on data from just 13 states and Puerto Rico.
With an estimated 700,000 Americans in the transgender community and seven transgender women killed from January 1 to February 15, 2015, it's time Congress took action.
Speak out for equality and an end to violence. Sign this important petition to urge your Member of Congress to support H.R. 442, which extends federal protections against hate crimes to transgender Americans.
Dear Decision Maker,
As someone who believes in equal protection under the law, I strongly urge you to support H.R. 442, which would extend federal protections against hate crimes to transgender Americans.
A 2014 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs identified more than 2,000 incidents of hate crimes against transgender people. The study -- including data from just 13 states and Puerto Rico -- also found that the severity of crimes against transgender people increased from 2013 to 2014, with crimes involving physical violence increasing by more than a fifth.
Tragically, at least seven transgender women were killed between January 1 and February 15 of 2015, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
[Your comments]
No person should be subjected to violence because of their gender identity. Please help guarantee equal protection under the law and safety for people in the transgender community by doing all you can to pass H.R. 422.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
