Secular AZ Resolution in Support of Transgender & Gender Non-conforming People

WHEREAS transgender and gender nonconforming people frequently experience prejudice and discrimination, often justified using religious doctrine;  

WHEREAS Secular AZ opposes prejudice and discrimination based on demographic characteristics including gender identity and expression, as reflected in our clear opposition to various legislative bills that discriminate against people based on gender identity;

WHEREAS Secular AZ has advocated to end discrimination against marginalized communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community;

WHEREAS discrimination limits the ability of transgender and gender non-conforming people to obtain proper medical benefits, secure employment, and legally change their gender on government-related documents that guarantee the right to vote;

WHEREAS data shows that transgender people are more than four times more likely to be the victims of violent crimes, and that LGBTQIA+ people have long experienced high rates of physical violence and harassment because of who they are;

WHEREAS the US Department of Homeland Security highlights that LGBTQIA+ members are at heightened risk of domestic terrorism, particularly by radicalized religious groups and individuals;

WHEREAS denying best practice medical care and support to transgendered individuals can be life-threatening and has been shown to contribute to depression, social isolation, self-hatred, risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior, and more, and 

WHEREAS, more than a third of the 150,000 transgender youth 13 to 17 years of age in the United States live in the 15 states that have restricted or banned access to best practice medical care for transgender youth or are considering legislation to do so, and 

WHEREAS, parents of transgender children, like all parents, simply want to do what is best for their child, and many such parents now face prosecution for child abuse in some jurisdictions for seeking best practice medical care for their transgender child as recommended by their health care provider, and 

WHEREAS in 2023 the Arizona Legislature has proposed 20 anti-transgender bills and in 2022, two were signed into law in spite of outspoken opposition by Secular AZ;

WHEREAS in 2023 over 400 anti-trans U.S. state laws have been proposed that particularly target trans youth and trans people with the least power, enabling discrimination in sports, healthcare, education, issuance of birth certificates, and beyond, and at least 20 bills have been passed in 11 states; 

WHEREAS anti-trans bills use false notions of “religious freedom” and “protecting” women and children as an excuse for discrimination; 

WHEREAS Secular AZ supports human rights and dignity for all, including access to employment, education, public accommodations, housing, transportation, sports and recreation,  healthcare, voting, and public  services;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT we, the members of Secular Coalition for Arizona (Secular AZ), affirm that the United States Constitution protects one’s right to self-identify and express oneself according to one’s gender, sex characteristics, and affectional/sexual orientation; and that religious exceptionalism that promotes discrimination abridges human rights and violates the Establishment Clause;

FURTHERMORE, WE RESOLVE TO:

  1. Affirm our commitment to the full equality, inclusion and acceptance of people of all gender identities and gender expressions;
  2. Affirm the right of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to be referred to by their name, gender, and pronoun of preference in our organization, and at our events, sessions, trainings, and presentations;
  3. Encourage Secular AZ board members, staff, members, volunteers, and liaised organizations, to continue to advocate for the rights of people of all gender identities and gender expressions;
  4. Urge the adoption and implementation of legislation and policies that prevent discrimination based on gender identity and expression, and that require individuals to be treated equally under the law according to the gender as which they identify. This includes establishing the right to change, without undue burden, one’s identification documents to reflect one’s gender and name, and ensuring equal access to medical and social services;
  5. Call on the Arizona government at all levels to review and revise all laws and policies to ensure full equality and protections for people of all gender identities and expressions;
  6. Urge other secular institutions to begin or continue to work with local and national transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual organizations to create inclusive and welcoming communities for people of all gender identities and expressions, and to spread awareness and increase knowledge of issues related to gender identity and expression. These activities may include cultural competency trainings for members and staff;
  7. Recommend liaised groups and national organizations ensure that their facilities and events, to the extent feasible, make available gender-neutral restrooms and other physical site needs that ensure dignity and safety for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals;
  8. Urge liaised secular groups to review their use of language in documents, forms, and policies in an effort to ensure people of all gender identities and gender expressions are welcomed, included, accepted and respected. This includes developing statements of inclusion and/or non-discrimination policies pertaining to gender identity and gender expression, the use when feasible of gender-neutral language, and offering more than two gender options or eliminating the need to select a gender on forms; and
  9. Will work in collaboration with other secular organizations to create programmatic and educational materials that will empower such institutions to be more inclusive and welcoming of people of all gender identities and expressions.

 

Facts about anti-transgender legislation

Facts about transgender students and facilities access

Facts about MAGA’s anti-trans attacks