As someone currently undergoing transition and actively involved in support groups and counselling for the transgender community, I have come to understand the profound impact that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments have on the lives of transgender individuals. Our identity often does not align with our physical birth, a discrepancy that underlines our daily existence and is often misunderstood by many.

Transgender individuals, like all humans, have a fundamental right to happiness, to live as our genuine selves. Unfortunately, this often means feeling as if we were born in the wrong body and seeking the necessary medical procedures to correct this. Denying access to these treatments essentially contravenes our right to be ourselves, an act that can only be described as cruel. The coming presidency seeks to remove any and all access to these treatments regardless of age.

Approximately 1.4 million adults in the U.S. identify as transgender, and a significant number of them seek and benefit from HRT and other treatments (UCLA School of Law, 2019). Yet, access to such necessary care is often restricted, reflecting a systemic lack of understanding and acceptance.

This petition seeks to ensure that these vital treatments remain accessible to all transgender individuals at the federal level, a step towards acknowledging their identity, and embracing diversity instead of demonizing it. Everyone deserves the right to live comfortably as their true selves. Let us band together and demand protection for our right to parity, our right to exist. Sign this petition to protect access to HRT and other treatments for transgender individuals.