Young People Led A Nationwide Rejection of Trump’s Agenda
Poisonous Political Rhetoric Has Led To Major Setbacks For Trans Young People in Four States
Advocates welcomes the news that the people of the United States, led by youth voters, have soundly rejected the Trump agenda..
“The message from young people is clear: they will not stand for the dangerous, discriminatory policies of Trump and his allies,” said Debra Hauser, President of Advocates for Youth. “Young people will never let basic humanity disappear in this country. They’re ready to work with our new elected officials to move us forward and undo the harm that the Trump agenda has caused.”
“Even as we celebrate this new era, we’re deeply saddened by the passage of anti-trans ballot initiatives in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Washington. These years of relentless political attacks on transgender young people and their families didn’t win the elections in battleground states last night, but have resulted in a national crisis of transphobia and disinformation. Both parties need to remove transphobia from their political playbooks. Transgender youth deserve joy, peace, inclusion, and power, and we will organize alongside them to make sure they get it.”
“We applaud the youth organizers who secured victories for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights in four other ballot initiatives, including historic constitutional amendments protecting abortion and contraceptive access in Nevada and Virginia as well as Missouri’s rejection of a ban on abortion and health care for transgender youth. Young people believe in health care and privacy, and have never given up that fight.”
Advocates celebrates victories that mark historic milestones in representation, political leadership, and grassroots organizing, including the nation’s first Muslim senator Abdul El-Sayed (MI); our first Black woman governor Keisha Lance Bottoms (GA); our first indigenous governor Deb Haaland (NM); our first indigenous senator Peggy Flanagan (MN); our first Latina governor Gina Hinojosa (TX); the first trans people elected to the Alabama and Georgia legislatures, Allison Montgomery and Bentley Hudgins; Melat Kiros (CO), the first Gen Z Congresswoman; Allie Phillips (TN House), the first woman to run for office after being denied an abortion; and our first gay senator Chris Pappas (NH). Young people deserve to see themselves reflected in our elected officials.
“There’s work to be done in our communities to make sure every person has the right to bodily autonomy, safety, and dignity,” said Debra Hauser. “Young people helped bring us these election results and they’ll continue to fight back against the poisonous rhetoric and harmful policies of the far right.”
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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.