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hi this is a (sort of) meme account but this race should be treated with the seriousness it deserves so i’d like to take a minute to explain the situation the trans community faces and why markey is one of the very few allies we have in office and why i’m #StickingWithEd (1/?)
markey has been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights before it was politically popular: from being one of very few representatives to oppose both DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. he voted for its (successful) repeal. (2/?)
in 2015, ed markey introduced legislation making LGBTQ+ rights an affirmed part of US foreign policy, leading to the creation of a special envoy for LGBTQ+ rights. (3/?)
in 2016, after the PULSE nightclub shooting, markey fought to repeal discriminatory blood donation policies which barred gay men from donating blood. (4/?)
in 2017, markey was one of the most outspoken elected officials opposing Trump’s transgender military ban. his statement is linked: https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-denounces-trumps-transgender-military-ban (5/?)
in 2019, ed markey was one of the original co-sponsors of the equality act, which prohibited anti-LGBTQ discrimination in public areas (ie. bathrooms, schools, etc) and would have expanded local/state protections. the passage of this remains part of the dem’s 2020 platform. (6/?)
he has helped introduce legislation barring usage of gay/trans panic defenses, which is a legal defense stating a victims sexuality/gender identity was a cause for murder. matthew shepard’s murderers used this defense in a court of law. (7/?)
ed markey is one of the best allies we have right now as transphobic rhetoric becomes mainstream in conservative circles and hate crimes have been rising. markey recognizes that LGBTQ+ issues intersect with race, gender, and class and is fighting for marginalized groups (8/?)
regardless of political popularity. (end)
just gonna jump in and say that trans people won’t be free through electoral politics alone. but please vote in progressive senators who will repeal the systemic barriers we, and especially black trans women, face, donate to trans organizations, and SHOW UP to protests.
