The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) stated in a press release announcing that their NCTE Action Fund had endorsed Joe Biden for president of the United States. The executive director of what the organization refers to as, “the political voice for transgender community in America,” Mara Keisling, expressed the imperativeness for Biden to be in office, noting his experience and his advocacy for transgender people and the LGBTQ community.
“Joe Biden is the advocate and president we need at this consequential moment,” stated Keisling. “He has the temperament, the experience and wisdom to lead our country. Throughout his career in public service, work as a private citizen through the Biden Foundation, and now his campaign to lead our nation, Biden has demonstrated his commitment to transgender people and the LGBTQ community.”
Keisling asserted Biden’s intentions to help protect transgender people in the U.S. She disussed his past efforts to advocate for the transgender community, citing his devisement of the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act.
“Biden has a strong agenda for addressing the issues that face transgender Americans, a record of getting big ideas done during his time as vice president in the Obama-Biden administration and a history of ensuring that transgender people are protected, including protections for transgender women as part of the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act he authored,” she stated.
Keisling went on to mention other efforts made by Biden to fight for transgender people as well as citing a statement he made in an interview expressing his dismay for what the community is faced with. “Biden participated in NCTE Action Fund’s Transform the White House candidate interview series,” stated Keisling. “Biden demonstrated his long-standing support for transgender people and outlined his commitment to protecting access to health care,” she added.
“The idea that someone can tell you that you can’t be who you are in your heart and soul is just wrong,” said Biden in the interview.
NCTE affirms its strong desire for Biden to be the next U.S. president as well its desire to get Donald Trump out of office saying that, “Donald Trump has consistently worked to alienate, harm, and erase transgender people.”
“The Trump administration is really the discrimination administration. President Trump has attacked transgender health care, put transgender students unnecessarily at risk and led a consistent and unrelenting effort to roll back protections for LGBTQ Americans. Joe Biden is the clear choice for president of the United States, and the NCTE Action Fund is proud to endorse him.”
More recently the NCTE stated how the “Discriminiation Administration” has made efforts to restrict transgender people from having access to healthcare, citing the removal of certain provisions that would provide protection from gender-identity discrimination. “During Pride month, and in the middle of a global pandemic no less, the ‘Discrimination Administration’ prioritized limiting access to healthcare for trans people. … They formally removed explicit protections from discrimination based on gender identity,” added NCTE.
NCTE said it is prepared to continue fighting to do all it can to protect the transgender community, but that it needs the help of voters to get Biden into office and to get Trump out. The organization also outlined its plan and strategy for the remaining months leading up to the election in order to procure as many votes as possible.
“We are ready to hit the ground running under a new Administration, but in order to win in November, we will need your help,” said NCTE. “Over the next four months, we’ll be focused on increasing voter turnout.. We’ve already started identifying supporters of trans equality who are not currently registered to vote and are encouraging them to do so by sending registration materials directly to their homes. We’re also working with lawmakers nationwide to encourage vote-by-mail in every state in the country. Finally, we’re mobilizing to do everything we can to help get out the vote. This will include digital and mail outreach, including essential “know your rights” resources to ensure trans people can cast their votes on Election Day.”