'These Are The Voices I Defend': Paul Tonko Advocates For Trans Rights

2 days ago

During a rally outside the Capitol Building on Monday to honor Transgender Day Of Visibility, Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) spoke in support of Trans rights.

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Transcript

00:00Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Paul Tucker. I represent the capital region of New York,

00:08New York 20. I have a question. Are we ready to speak up for freedom? Are we ready to defend

00:17freedom? I agree. I stand here today with you in solidarity, in strength, and in the

00:26unwavering belief that trans rights are human rights. Trans rights are human rights. I stand

00:37in disbelief as I watch this cruel and calculated campaign of erasure run by a president of

00:45a country that proclaims freedom to the entire world. It is awkward to hear that kind of

00:52an agenda. These are not just political maneuvers. That would be bad enough. But they're real

01:01in the ripping away of rights, of rights that affect people, rights that affect families,

01:09rights that affect freedom and the opportunity to move forward in life. And so I will stand

01:16with you in solidarity to defend trans rights as human rights. In New York 20, in New York

01:2620, I hear from my constituents from within that trans community. I hear from those who

01:32are frightened to travel into foreign places because they're concerned they might not be

01:39able to return to the nation that they love. I hear from those out there who are service

01:45members in the trans community who have defended this nation in all for which she stands, freedom

01:53for which she stands and they're worried that their career, their service would be disrupted.

01:59I hear from parents who are concerned, family members who are concerned that their family

02:05member, their trans member will not get the health care they deserve and require. I hear

02:13from those teachers who are concerned about trans students who will be bullied mercilessly

02:21and they have no protection. So these are the voices I hear in New York 20. These are

02:28the voices I defend. These are the voices reminding us we are a nation of all kinds

02:35of people. We're a great bit of diversity. We celebrate that diversity and it's an honor

02:41to join you today in this effort for Trans Day of Visibility at a rally here in 2025.

02:49So our message is we don't simply sit by complacence. We raise our voices, we lift our energy, we

02:58stand up, we speak out and we make certain that we will not allow for this injustice

03:04to occur. Why? Because we believe in the principles of liberty, equality and justice

03:11for all. So I will not sit by idly. I will be a strong voice and I will defend justice

03:18in this nation, equality in this nation, respect in this nation, deliver to all in the trans

03:25community and the entire nation. You are part of the peoplescape of a great country that

03:31is a beacon of hope that has been the voice of freedom. Let's live accordingly. Let's

03:36fight for freedom. Let's fight for freedom. Let's fight for freedom. Let's fight for freedom.

03:43Let's fight for freedom. God bless. Love you. Let's go forward.

'These Are The Voices I Defend': Paul Tonko Advocates For Trans Rights

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