The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) & the Queer Equity Institute (QEI) will hold a rally on the National Mall on Sunday March 31st in Washington D.C. to commemorate International Trans Day of Visibility. The “TRANSform the Vote Rally” will feature historic elected officials from across the country & some of the nation’s foremost trans activists, artists & performers in an event that will celebrate the entire community. Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality stated, “From restricting access to medically necessary healthcare to denying trans students the opportunity to participate in sports, we have seen nationwide efforts to exclude trans people from society. TRANSform the Vote presents a historical moment for us to empower our community - casting our votes & participating in democracy is just one of many ways our community can advocate for the issues that matter to us!” Leigh Finke, Executive Director of the Queer Equity Institute concluded, “Over the past few years we’ve watched again & again as ‘jokes’ became hate speech, hate speech became bills, bills became laws & all the jokes, hate speech & laws created an environment where transgender people are assaulted, beaten & murdered. Some of the most important tools we have to fight back against these attacks is to change the culture through voting, running for office & creating art & music that shift society. This rally is meant to highlight & encourage folks to use those tools in their communities.” Confirmed speakers & participants include Rep. Leigh Finke, Rep. Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski, Hon. Andrea Jenkins & Angelica Ross.
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