Dana Nessel Teams With AGs Across Nation to Support Trans Students: 'You Belong Here'
State's top lawyer promises to fight for trans youth in hopeful back-to-school video message
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined eight other state attorneys general in a video created by the National Women's Law Center in promising to continue fighting for transgender students as they head back to school this fall.
"My name is Dana Nessel, and I'm Michigan's attorney general," she says in the collaborative video titled "We Have Your Back: A Message to Trans Students From State Attorneys General."
The uplifting message features attorneys general from New York, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Delaware, Vermont and Maryland, each making individual commitments to support trans youth in their states.
New York Attorney General Letitia James opens the video stating "I promise to fight for trans students," while California's Rob Bonta echoes "I promise to fight for trans students" and Minnesota's Keith Ellison adds "I promise to fight for trans youth."
"Donald Trump has been going after the rights of trans students, their families, and anyone who supports them. And in Michigan... we don't tolerate hate and we do fight back," Nessel says.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield describes specific actions his office has taken: "We launched a gender-affirming care toolkit which provides resources about gender-affirming care here in Oregon. We are protecting our hospitals and clinics to provide the care that you may need."
Elsewhere, Bonta highlights legal victories. "At California DOJ, we've stopped forced outing policies in schools that threaten the safety and well-being of our students. We led a coalition of attorneys general in supporting a group of courageous trans children fighting for their access to life-saving medical care."
Nessel specifically promises that her office will hold schools accountable under state laws and ensure students aren't facing hostile learning environments. "My office is here for you," she tells trans students directly.
The attorneys general end the video on a hopeful note, delivering this closing message together: "As the school year starts, we want you to remember: You belong here. You inspire us. And we do love you. So have a great school year and know that you got some people who have your back."
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