Top Democrats re-introduce trans bill of rights

Reintroduction of the Trans Bill of Rights aims to protect transgender Americans and ensure equal rights and protections under the law.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) announced the reintroduction of a 'Trans Bill of Rights' on Wednesday. The resolution aims to provide protections for transgender and nonbinary people, ensuring their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.

Why it matters

The reintroduction of the Trans Bill of Rights comes as the Trump-Vance administration continues to target LGBTQ Americans, with thousands of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills introduced in statehouses across the country since 2020. This legislation is seen as a crucial step in protecting the rights and dignity of transgender and nonbinary individuals.

The details

The resolution for the House and Senate reads: 'Recognizing that it is the duty of the federal government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.' The bill aims to amend the Civil Rights Act to ensure that trans people have the same rights and protections as all other Americans.

  • The Trans Bill of Rights was reintroduced on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Ed Markey

A U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who is leading the resolution on the Senate side.

Pramila Jayapal

A U.S. Representative from Washington who is pushing the resolution forward in the House.

Sara Jacobs

A U.S. Representative from California and co-chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force within the Congressional Equality Caucus.

Olivia Hunt

From Advocates for Trans Equality, who spoke about the high number of anti-trans bills being introduced across the country.

LaLa Zannell

From the American Civil Liberties Union, who spoke about how the bill would protect trans people in all facets of their lives.

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What they’re saying

“Today we say loud and clear that trans rights are human rights, and they must be protected every single day of every single year.”

— Ed Markey, U.S. Senator (Washington Blade)

“With the Trans Bill of Rights, we are laying out a comprehensive vision to provide protections for transgender and nonbinary people — a vision that ensures every single person has a chance to thrive.”

— Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative (Washington Blade)

“Trans Americans are being targeted just for being who they are — by laws and court decisions that try to erase them from classrooms, from courts and fields, from health care and public life. These attacks aren't about safety or fairness. They're about hatred and instilling fear.”

— Sara Jacobs, U.S. Representative (Washington Blade)

“Trans youth deserve to be protected by their government. They shouldn't have to be protected from their government. It's long past time that our federal laws reflect and protect the reality and dignity of all people.”

— Olivia Hunt, Advocates for Trans Equality (Washington Blade)

“I stand here as an unapologetic Black trans woman who has led this movement for over a decade to get us to moments like this. The reintroduction of the Trans Bill of Rights will aim to protect access to gender-affirming care, prevent discrimination in housing and public spaces, and preserve legal recognition.”

— LaLa Zannell, American Civil Liberties Union (Washington Blade)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This legislation is a crucial step in protecting the rights and dignity of transgender and nonbinary individuals, who have faced an onslaught of discriminatory bills and policies in recent years. The reintroduction of the Trans Bill of Rights sends a strong message that trans rights are human rights and must be protected.