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# Obama condemns anti-trans bills
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/obama-condemns-anti-trans-bills/
- Published: 2021-06-10T11:30:19.000Z
- Updated: 2021-06-10T11:30:19.000Z
- Description: Barack Obama said the wave of anti-trans bills sweeping the US is ‘heartbreaking’.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Equality Act, Joe Biden, LGBTQ, Trans Rights, Transgender, US

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/obama-600-400.jpg)

Former **US** president, **Barack Obama**, said the wave of anti-trans bills sweeping the country is ‘heartbreaking’ in an interview with *[Advocate](https://www.advocate.com/politics/2021/6/09/president-barack-obama-talks-lgbtq-lives-and-promised-land?ref=scenemag.co.uk)*. 2021 has seen over 30 states propose bills that target young trans people’s access to healthcare and/or school sports, with Obama saying: *“It breaks my heart. This is not who we are”*, and pointing out that the bills are doing *“real harm”* to trans Americans *“whether they end up passing or not”* *.*

He continued: *“America has always been at its best when we open our arms wider and help more people feel like they belong – not treat them like second-class citizens because they’re different.”* His words of support for young trans people come shortly after president **Joe Biden** tweeted a [message](https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1402045647847673856?ref=scenemag.co.uk) of trans solidarity, saying: *“I want you to know your president has your back.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/joebiden-1.jpg)

Joe Biden

When discussing the future of LGBTQ+ rights in America, Obama said he was *“so happy”* to see Biden sign an anti-discrimination order on his first day in office, but added: *“We need to do even more to guarantee basic rights and protections for every American.”* In addition to Biden’s anti-discrimination order, the [Equality Act](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/us-reintroduces-equality-act/) is currently heading to the Senate for debate. If successful, it would add pro-LGBTQ+ policies to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, including prohibiting housing, employment and education discrimination.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/lgbt-us-rights-1.jpg)