Statement on Extraordinary Rendition and the Rule of Law
Donald Trump has sent America a clear message: no one is safe.
A gay makeup artist. A Maryland father. A professional soccer player—all lawfully present with no criminal record, disappeared to one of the most notorious prisons on earth without due process or trial.
No challenge is more urgent than ending the Trump administration’s extraordinary rendition of individuals to foreign jails under the control of authoritarian governments out of reach of American courts.
Alice calls on our elected leaders to act with urgency to address this national crisis.
We must restore due process.
Return all deportees unlawfully trafficked outside US jurisdiction.
End ICE’s campaign of intimidation, detention, and deportation of visa-holders and lawful permanent residents based on freedom of expression.
And restore the rule of law in the face of the administration’s flagrant disregard for a unanimous Supreme Court.
Across America, Democratic leaders are rising to this challenge.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) traveled to El Salvador himself toward securing the release of his constituent.
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) has introduced the RESCUE Act to compel the return of wrongfully deported individuals.
And Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivered the longest floor speech in Senate history, capturing national attention by speaking for twenty-five hours on the Trump administration’s depravity.
We call on our leaders to draw on these acts of courage and to meet the moment—one that may be among the most important in American history.
Alice will never stop fighting for the rights of LGBTQ Americans. Even rights that date back to the Magna Carta.
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LGBTQ+ Groups Respond to Gavin Newsom Statement on Trans Athletes
LGBTQ+ Groups Respond to Gavin Newsom Statement on Trans Athletes
We are deeply disappointed in Governor Gavin Newsom’s statement that transgender athletes present a “fairness” issue in sports.
Transgender athletes enjoy no unfair advantage in sports. Research has instead found that female athletes who have been on hormone replacement therapy for a year or more—the primary target of transphobic comments made by alt-right figures like Governor Newsom’s podcast guest Charlie Kirk—perform equal or worse than cis women on a range of measurements linked to athletic function including lung function, bone density, and hemoglobin profile. The reality is that transgender athletes face deeply unfair conditions.
Transgender athletes are among the most targeted individuals in the nation, with state legislatures passing laws aimed at a small number of people who simply want to play sports. Those who do participate often endure relentless harassment, including threats and scorn from fans who use sports as an outlet for their hatred—behavior that would not be tolerated against any other players, including right here in California.
Major sports organizations, including the NCAA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have established guidelines requiring transgender athletes to meet specific hormone levels to compete in women’s categories. Elite sports already accommodate natural physiological differences among cisgender athletes, such as height, lung capacity, and fast-twitch muscle fibers. The targeting of transgender athletes not only reinforces discrimination but also endangers all players by exposing children to invasive scrutiny about their bodies and identities. Transgender athletes should not be singled out.
If the Governor is truly concerned about fairness in youth sports, we encourage him to address real issues—such as the widespread lack of funding, attention, and respect that girls’ sports teams receive—instead of amplifying baseless transphobic rhetoric. Rather than parroting Republicans’ bigoted talking points, we urge the Governor to engage with experts and research the issue thoroughly.
Sports teach the value of teamwork, effort, and persistence. They teach people how to win and lose with dignity and to stand up for their teammates. No one should be excluded from the opportunity to play.
We call on Governor Newsom to stand up for the civil rights of transgender Californians.
Signed By
Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club
Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club
Statement on Senator Padilla’s Vote for the NDAA
December 19, 2024
Statement from the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club on Senator Padilla’s Vote for the NDAA
The Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club is deeply disappointed by Senator Alex Padilla’s vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes harmful provisions targeting transgender dependents of servicemembers. This discriminatory legislation strips access to gender-affirming care under TRICARE for nearly 6,500 military families, marking the first federal anti-LGBTQ statute passed in years.
GLAAD said it best:
“Congress has now passed the first anti-LGBTQ federal statute in years, one that will directly harm thousands of service members and their families, and impact the security of every American family. The anti-transgender, anti-family provision in the National Defense Authorization Act will baselessly distract service members from their missions and duty to worry about their own families, a situation the U.S. government should never impose on the troops who put their lives on the line.
This provision does nothing to prioritize national security or military readiness. America’s military heroes, including their families, should always be assured that their safety and freedoms are respected and protected.”
Senator Padilla has enjoyed the endorsement of the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, and his vote on this legislation is a betrayal of the values that earned him our support. At a time when LGBTQ families and children are under constant attack, we expect our Democratic leaders to stand firmly for equality and justice. Casting a vote to strip critical health care from military families and transgender children contradicts these values and fails to meet the leadership standard our community deserves.
We also take this opportunity to commend Senator Adam Schiff for his courage and integrity in voting against the NDAA and rejecting this discriminatory provision. As his spokesperson Marisol Samayoa stated:
“Sen. Schiff believes the annual NDAA should be a nonpartisan piece of legislation to ensure our national security, and efforts to withhold make-or-break funds from our ally Ukraine, or to introduce divisive policy riders that undermine access to lifesaving health care for military families are unacceptable.”
Senator Padilla, this moment calls for reflection and action. We urge you to reaffirm your commitment to protecting the rights of LGBTQ people and their families, especially in the face of continued legislative attacks. Our servicemembers and their families deserve nothing less than your unwavering support.
In solidarity,
Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club