Today, the Equality Act was reintroduced in both chambers of Congress. The bill’s introduction comes on the heels of the Trump Administration’s latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community: a report on transgender healthcare riddled with misinformation, junk science, and hate. 

In response, Debra Hauser, President of national reproductive and sexual health nonprofit Advocates for Youth, issued the following statement:

“The Equality Act is a long-overdue step toward ensuring LGBTQ+ people are protected from discrimination at school, in the workplace, and in any public space regulated by federal anti-discrimination law. 

Now more than ever, LGBTQ+ young people need vocal and visible support from elected officials, adult allies and advocates. Federal legislation is just one piece of the puzzle: we must all stand up for LGBTQ+ young people’s access to health care, to books that reflect their experiences, and to comprehensive and inclusive curriculum. 

As the Trump Administration peddles hate and misinformation about transgender youth, we must step up to reaffirm our support for every young person’s ability to grow up safe, happy, and healthy. We must all do all we can – through every mechanism we have – to support transgender young people, their access to life-saving health care, and their freedom from discrimination.”

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Advocates for Youth is a 501(c)3 organization that champions efforts that help young people make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates for Youth boldly advocates for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health, focusing its work on young people ages 14-24 in the U.S. and around the globe. 

For Immediate Release: April 29,  2025

Contact: Eleanor Naiman, eleanor.naiman@advocatesforyouth.org