Republican Jennifer Williams on the Trump Administration's Definition of Transgender

I still like a lot of the core ideals and beliefs that the Republican Party holds. But unfortunately, those are being challenged today with memos just like this. And ultimately these ideas are contrary to the original founding of my beloved party.

As a Republican, I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed at how a minor offshoot of the Republican party—one that's very bent on religious freedom—is really directing our current administration to take away the liberty, freedom, and equality that millions of Americans who just happened to be LGBTQ currently enjoy.

These liberties shouldn’t be limited. Rather they should be expanded.

Afford us the same opportunity that everyone else in the country has to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Let us be free of discrimination in the workplace so we can make our own way in the world, so we can provide for ourselves. Ensure we aren’t discriminated against regarding medical care and housing so we may have liberty. Help us all get on an equal playing field rather than trying to limit what we can be. Stop limiting who I can be and what I can achieve in life.

As a Republican, I am sad. I am sad that my party is being hurt by potential policies like this and what's happening at large. I don't believe President Trump has animosity toward transgender people; however, he owes a lot to many people who voted for him who do indeed want to take away our equality.

But as a Republican, and as a transgender woman, I’m still hopeful. I’m hopeful that we will be able to reduce some of the anti-LGBTQ language on the next go-round following the midterms.

And part of that includes me continuing to speak out.

By my being in the room as a transgender American, I'm able to represent my community where otherwise my community would not be represented at all. In that room, I am able to make sure that I challenge viewpoints that would hurt our community while also being, hopefully, a positive example of our community, showing that we're not the stereotype some people think we are.

No one wants to be a member of a party of discrimination. But there are still people on the inside who are willing to fight to be on the right side of history. People like Bob Hugin from New Jersey, currently running for the United State Senate, whose campaign released this statement on Monday: “Bob Hugin strongly supports equality and opportunity for the LGBTQ community and will be a leader on these issues as senator. If President Trump wants to roll back equality and opportunity for the LGTBQ community, Bob Hugin won't hesitate to stand up to the president.”

That statement, to me, is worth staying a Republican.

I don't know what my future holds. I don’t know what my party’s future holds. But for now, my first priority is protecting my community.

Jennifer Williams is the chairwoman of the Trenton (N.J.) Republican Committee, a master poll worker for the Mercer County (N.J.) Board of Elections, and a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment in her hometown of Trenton. In 2016, Williams attended the Republican National Convention in Cleveland as the first openly transgender delegate from New Jersey.

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