Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on International Transgender Day of Visibility
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today released the following statement in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility:
“Protecting civil rights was one of the founding purposes of the Justice Department over 150 years ago. Today, that remains central to our mission. On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, the Justice Department is committed to protecting the civil and constitutional rights of transgender individuals.
“We are committed to combatting the hate crimes that target and terrorize the transgender community – particularly transgender women of color. And we are committed to ensuring the equal protection of transgender people under the law.
“Transgender individuals deserve to be able to live free from discrimination, harassment, violence, and threats of violence. Transgender youth deserve to be loved and protected. And members of the transgender community deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
“The Justice Department will continue to work tirelessly to make real the promise of equal justice under law for everyone in our country.”
