Today, Fair Wisconsin will testify before the Assembly Committee on Judiciary in opposition to AB 311, a bill that would eliminate the ability for someone born in Wisconsin to change the gender marker on their birth certificate.
In addition to mobilizing community members to testify in-person and collecting written testimony to submit on behalf of Wisconsinites, Fair Wisconsin’s Executive Director Abigail Swetz will testify in opposition to AB 311.
Below is an excerpt from Fair Wisconsin’s testimony.
“Trans people are our friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers, whether or not you realize it. I know that it can be difficult to understand what it means to be transgender, especially if you think you’ve never met a trans person. But I don’t need to understand every nuance of someone’s identity in order to believe them when they tell me who they are, and you also don’t have to agree with me on much to still agree that we need to treat other people with respect, dignity, and kindness.
AB 311 traffics in fear and lies, and it would make this state even more unsafe within our already toxic national landscape. In fact, even just having this hearing adds to the ugliness – I think you’ve heard that today – although thank goodness so many incredible people have also chosen to show up and submit testimony sharing their vociferous support for trans people and even their own beauty, all despite knowing they would be met with disdain and denial (at best) by the authors and supporters of this bill. Because the reality is that living as a trans person in this state and in this country also means so much joy and community and solidarity and beauty.
I am so sorry these hearings force our amazing community to perpetually defend our own ability to live public lives, and I am so proud and thankful we show up. But it does not have to be this way. You can be a part of ensuring safety instead of trying to turn threat and discrimination into law. Vote no on Assembly Bill 311.”
Full testimony from Swetz is attached.
Previous press releases can be found on Fair Wisconsin’s press room webpage.
