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Dear colleagues and students, June is Pride month, when we honor the global movement for 2SLBGTQ+ liberation, celebrate 2SLBGTQ+ culture, and commemorate the Stonewall riots of 1969. This year, we are witnessing a widespread attack on the strides made for 2SLBGTQ+ rights, with a wave of persecutory anti-LBGTQ+ legislation, particularly anti-trans legislation, around the U.S. and globally. We are writing today to affirm our solidarity with the 2SLBGTQ+ communities in the face of these attacks on their fundamental rights of self-expression, bodily autonomy and health. As public health professionals, it is critical that we take a stand: anti-2SLBGTQ+ legislation is detrimental to public health. Transgender, nonbinary and two-spirit individuals, both in our own communities at the University of Washington School of Public Health and around the world, face unique challenges, particularly discrimination and marginalization. A wealth of evidence supports that access to gender-affirming care is crucial to their physical and mental well-being, and it is our responsibility as a public health community to act to ensure that they too, receive optimal high quality health care. Legislation that criminalizes provision of gender-affirming care, open discussion of sexual and gender identities, or the mere existence of 2SLBGTQ+ individuals is an attack on public health. The harms of these legislations are being felt most by those individuals who also experience intersecting oppressions, including those based on race, class and ability. To our 2SLBGTQ+ colleagues: we stand with you in this difficult time. We will continue to oppose legislation that undermines protections for 2SLBGTQ+ health care and civil liberties, and work towards creating an environment for all members of our community to thrive. In the spirit of Pride, let us remain committed to celebrating joy, resistance and resilience – not just for this month but every day of every year. |
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Signed: Arjee Restar, Keshet Ronen, Anjuli Wagner, David Katz, Victoria Gardner, Hilary Godwin DGH DEI committee, HSPop DEI committee, Biostatistics DEI committee, EPI DEI committee, DEOHS EDI Committee |