WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) released the following statement on Republicans’ federal trans sports ban:

“This legislation isn’t about protecting women and girls—it’s about legalizing discrimination and erasing trans lives. If Republicans were truly concerned about protecting women, they would stop their full-fledged assault on our fundamental human rights. They would stop policing our bodies. They would stop our children from being gunned down at school by banning assault weapons.

“The MAGA Republicans banning trans kids from playing sports are the same ones who want to erase the existence of trans students in the classroom, and ban trans people from receiving health care. This is part of a coordinated effort across the country to systematically eradicate trans people.

“Make no mistake: these MAGA Republicans are only fearmongering and waging culture wars to distract from the fact that they have no legislation to pass that will actually improve the lives of the American people. This dangerous bill could even force our children to endure invasive medical exams and answer personal questions about their menstrual cycles and their bodies. This is the sick reality we are facing under this assault from the far-right GOP.

“Every child deserves the freedom to be themselves. Trans kids, like every other American, deserve to live their lives free from discrimination. They participate in sports for the same reasons every other child does, to challenge themselves, exercise, and be part of a team.

“The relentless fearmongering, bullying, rejection, and hateful policies being pushed by far-right Republicans across the country have dangerous and very real consequences. In the past year, more than half of trans and nonbinary young people seriously considered suicide, and one LGBTQ+ young person attempts suicide every 45 seconds.

“Trans people deserve joy. They deserve to live in a more inclusive nation that aspires to live up to our ideals of equality and justice for all.”

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