LOS ANGELES (October 18, 2018) Bienestar Human Services sharply condemns the federal government’s plan to redefine gender as an unchanging biological trait that is determined by genitalia at birth, according to a recent New York Times report.

According to the report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to create a legal definition of “sex” as either male or female under Title IX, a federal law prohibiting gender-based discrimination. This drastic move would essentially stop the recognition and protections of transgender people under federal civil rights law.

Transgender-serving organizations like Bienestar, are mobilizing their communities to speak out against this move, which could jeopardize the health and well-being of over 1.4 million Americans who identify as transgender. “The rights of our transgender sisters and brothers are all at stake,” says Khloe Perez-Rios, a transgender staff member at Bienestar. “Our rights are human rights. And I will make sure this administration knows that.”

Bienestar will be joining other organizations and activists at a rally at City Hall today at 6pm. Bienestar staff and clients will be available for comment and interviews.

WHO: Bienestar Human Services, Latino LGBT nonprofit organization

Empowered Transgender Women, “Agents of Change” and clients of Bienestar

WHAT: Community response to federal government’s move to narrowly define gender

WHEN: Monday, October 22, 2018 at 7pm

WHERE: Los Angeles City Hall—200 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012