DEAR EDITOR:

We are writing in regard to the column “What is ‘Transgender Awareness Day’ actually about?” by Ian Haworth and would like to reply in good faith.

Transgender Day of Visibility is about celebrating the rights and dignity of trans people, as well as bringing awareness to the issues trans people are facing in our community. Haworth argues that “no serious person denies their existence, or their right — as human beings — to ‘exist'”. Meanwhile, some serious elected officials in the Ohio Statehouse and federal Congress have already passed and continue to push forward numerous bills that threaten the rights, dignity and safety of trans Americans. Surely we can agree that a meaningful human existence includes these things, and thus Trans Day of Visibility is needed now more than ever.

For instance, take Ohio House Bill 249, aka the Drag Ban, which attempts to criminalize the drag art form and also subject transgender people to criminal penalties simply for expressing their gender identity in public spaces. Bills like HB249 have already been struck down as unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds in Montana, Tennessee, Florida and Texas, and yet Ohio Republicans push forward with this unlawful, unethical bill.

HB249 is now in the Senate. We urge all supporters of the Constitution and human rights to reach out to your Ohio senator and urge them to oppose HB249 and to fight all legislation that would seek to encode bias against transgender Americans into law.

Our rights and safety are just as constitutionally guaranteed as everyone else’s, and thus visibility is necessary so we can remind our fellow Americans that we too are the people, and we deserve equality before the law.

CARISSA SANTANGELO

Mahoning Valley

Queer Actio