We stand with you, LGBTQ+ youth, your families, and the organizations that support you and will do everything within our personal and political power to prevent further harm. We stand with you and commit to listening to your needs and ensuring your voices are heard. We have so much love and joy for each of you as individuals and want nothing more than for you to feel valued, connected to your communities, and thriving.

It’s important to remember that the White House is not a medical provider, and that Executive Orders are not laws (nor do they supersede state statutes). They are not social workers or licensed clinical mental health counselors. They are not pediatricians. All of these providers follow high-quality, evidence-based standards of their professional organizations, such as the following, and all are highly supportive of LGBTQ people and their healthcare — because you matter.

• The American Medical Association “recognizes gender identity as a fundamental aspect of a person’s being and supports gender-affirming care, including medical interventions, for transgender individuals.”
• American Academy of Pediatrics works to “ensure young people get the reproductive and gender-affirming care they need and are seen, heard, and valued as they are.”
• American Academy of Family Physicians affirms that “diversity in gender identity and expression is a normal part of the human existence and does not represent pathology.”
• American Psychological Association: “(S)tate bans on gender-affirming care disregard the comprehensive body of medical and psychological research supporting the positive impact of such treatments in alleviating psychological distress and improving overall well-being for transgender, gender diverse and nonbinary individuals throughout their lives.”
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists “recognizes and supports the gender diversity of all patients who seek obstetric and gynecologic care.”

These healthcare professionals, LGBTQ+ organizations, and LGBTQ+ loved ones and chosen families have the expertise and person-specific understanding to guide individuals in making their personal healthcare choices, not the federal government.

Certain politicians nationally have launched a vicious assault against LGBTQ+ people for just existing as they are as unique human beings. They use cruel and devastatingly harmful misinformation in an attempt to legally and illegally erase the existence and dignity of real people, especially youth, in one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.

You know better than anyone the devastating impact of these Executive Orders and other attacks. Thirty-six percent of high school-age youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) have made a suicide plan in the past year, which is significantly higher compared to heterosexual cisgender youth (9%). Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults in Vermont.

On the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration, crisis calls by LGBTQ+ youth increased by 33%. The national party in power in D.C. does not care about evidence, healthcare, truth or LGBTQ+ people. They care about gaining power by creating and exacerbating division and hate.

But we do care. We hear you and stand with you.

Legislators of the Rainbow Caucus

Rep. Mari Cordes

Rep. Kathleen James

Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone

Rep. Heather Surprenant

Rep. Brian Cina

Rep. Abbey Duke

Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky

Rep. Chloe Tomlinson

Rep. Tiffany Bluemle

Sen. Becca White

Rep. Emily Carris Duncan

Rep. Will Greer

Rep. Emilie Kornheiser

Rep. Saudia Lamont

 

Legislator Allies

Rep. Troy Headrick

Rep. Kate Logan

Rep. Emilie Krasnow

Rep. Karen Dolan

Rep. Kirk White

Rep. Jubilee McGill

Sen. Robert Plunkett

Rep. Barbara Rachelson

Sen. Thomas Chittenden

Rep. Angela Arsenault

Rep. Jana Brown

Rep. Esme Cole

Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick

Sen. Andrew Perchlik

Rep. Phil Pouech

Rep. Bridget Burkhardt

Rep. Larry Satcowitz

Rep. Laura Sibilia

Rep. Gayle Pezzo

Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun

Rep. Ela Chapin

Rep. Rebecca Holcombe

Sen. Ruth Hardy

Rep. Leslie Goldman

Rep. Shawn Sweeney

Rep. Doug Bishop

Sen. Alison Clarkson

Rep. Emily Long

Rep. Kate McCann

Rep. Daisy Berbeco

Sen. Joe Major

Rep. Elizabeth Burrows

Rep. Monique Priestley

Rep. Leanne Harple

Rep. Martin LaLonde

Rep. Robin Scheu

Rep. Brian Minier

Rep. Lucy Boyden

Rep. Wendy Critchlow

Rep. Bridget Burkhardt

Rep. Thomas Stevens

Rep. Leonora Dodge

Sen. Anne Watson

Sen. Nader Hashim

Rep. Scott Campbell

Rep. Mike Mrowicki

Rep. Alyssa Black

Rep. Dave Durfee

Rep. Rey Garofano

Rep. Zon Eastes

Rep. Chea Waters Evans

Rep. Theresa Wood

Rep. Herb Olson

Rep. Jill Krowinski

Rep. Anne Donahue

Rep. Edye Graning

Rep. Conor Casey

Rep. Lori Houghton

Rep. Kristi Morris

Rep. Dave Yacovone

Rep. Dara Torre

Rep. Mollie Burke

Rep. Ian Goodnow

Rep. Teddy Waszazak

Rep. Mary E. Howard

Rep. Erin Brady

Rep. Peter Conlon

Rep. Candice White