Ordinary people all over Wisconsin know that it is wrong to discriminate and it is right to stand up for those being discriminated against. To isolate transgender people in our society goes against everything we have been taught growing up: to be kind, respectful and accepting. It is not in our DNA to be hateful of a certain group due to gender identity.

One of the beautiful things about our democracy is that it is designed to express not only the will of the majority, but also to simultaneously protect the unalienable rights of minorities and the powerless.

While the GOP may have chipped away at the rights of many groups during their time in power, we cannot let this bill come back next session. States tend to look to other like-minded states for legislative ideas, and we have already seen copycat bills pass in both Mississippi and Georgia. We know that this bill may likely be seen again in Wisconsin at some point. Businesses, politicians, and progressive groups must raise their voices against this legislation in Wisconsin, much like they are doing in North Carolina now, so that it is never successful in our state.

For my part, I will continue fighting to be the voice of those who these laws seek to target. I will not allow Wisconsin to become North Carolina, and I will always work to promote equality, fairness and justice.