Rockland County Pride Center Responds to Passage of Anti-Transgender Youth Bill (H.R. 28)

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 28, the โ€œProtection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025,โ€ a bill that targets transgender youth, barring them from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. This legislation is a blatant act of discrimination that exploits children for political gain.

The Rockland County Pride Center is deeply disappointed in this unnecessary and harmful legislation, which perpetuates fear and division instead of fostering fairness and inclusion. The bill disregards the overwhelming consensus from medical experts, educators, and child welfare advocates who agree that inclusive policies benefit all students, including transgender youth.

โ€œItโ€™s heartbreaking to see lawmakers weaponize children for political theater,โ€ said Brooke Malloy, Executive Director of the Rockland County Pride Center. โ€œTransgender kids arenโ€™t a threat to sportsโ€”theyโ€™re children who want to play, belong, and thrive. H.R. 28 solves nothing. Instead, it stigmatizes some of our most vulnerable youth, making schools and communities less safe for everyone.โ€

ย Congressman Michael Lawler, who represents Rockland County and voted in favor of this bill, has a history of engaging with the Pride Center and supporting local LGBTQ+ initiatives. He has met with transgender youth and families, attended Pride Center events, and advocated for key construction and grant-related projects. Notably, after hearing personal stories, he reversed his vote on the Parentsโ€™ Rights Act, demonstrating his capacity for understanding and empathy.

ย However, his recent vote in favor of H.R. 28 contradicts his previous stance on state autonomy. Lawler has campaigned on โ€œstatesโ€™ rights,โ€ asserting that federal legislation should not impose mandates on states. By supporting this bill, he undermines New York State laws like the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Human Rights Law, which protect transgender students in public schools.

ย โ€œHe knows better,โ€ Malloy stated. โ€œHeโ€™s seen the strength and resilience of these kids, and heโ€™s witnessed the transformative power of compassion and understanding. By aligning with federal overreach, he not only betrays transgender youth but also contradicts his professed commitment to state sovereignty. Congressman Lawler, which is it? Do you stand for state autonomy and the protections New York has worked to uphold, or are you content to sacrifice them for party politics? New York State deserves better. NY-17 deserves representation that embodies strength, integrity, and unwavering support for all its constituents.โ€

ย The Pride Center also takes issue with Speaker Mike Johnsonโ€™s justification of the bill, citing โ€œScriptureโ€ as a basis for governance. โ€œThis is a country founded on the separation of church and state,โ€ Malloy said. โ€œLegislation like this has no place in a pluralistic society. Governing should be about protecting and uplifting all peopleโ€”not imposing religious beliefs to justify discrimination.โ€

ย Research from the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics underscores that policies supporting transgender inclusion lead to better mental health outcomes and stronger communities. By contrast, exclusionary laws like H.R. 28 increase the risk of bullying, mental health challenges, and social isolation for transgender youth.

ย To Transgender Youth:

You belong here. You belong in our schools, on our teams, and in this community. Your courage in the face of relentless attacks is extraordinary, and the Pride Center will continue to fight for your rights and your future. You inspire us every day, and together, we will ensure a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

ย Take Action:

This bill now heads to the Senate, where we urge you to act. Trans youth deserve allies who will stand up for their right to belong. Call your senators today and make your voice heard:

ย Senator Chuck Schumer: Call his Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-6542 or submit a message via his website at www.schumer.senate.gov/contact.

ย Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: Call her Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-4451 or send a message via her website at www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact.

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