Testimony of Bryn Long In Support of HB25-1309

The Colorado House Health & Human Services Committee passed HB25-1309. This bill helps strengthen the protections for gender-affirming care in Colorado and make it harder to walk those protections back. Read RMEQ’s Board President Bryn Long's testimony supporting the bill:

Chair and members of the committee,

My name is Bryn Long, and I am the president of the board of Rocky Mountain Equality, and

today I am speaking on behalf of the transgender community. Gender-affirming care is essential evidence-based healthcare. It is not a political debate. In case you did not realize this, all individuals are receiving some form of gender-affirming care.

Leading medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association, agree that gender-affirming care is the standard of care for transgender individuals.

At this time there is political rhetoric based on misinformation and disinformation that drives

others to deny the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. Advocating for the policies

that protect transgender patients seeking care, as well as their medical professionals, is

respecting the autonomy of their decision making.

It is essential for me as a transman to be able to access the range of medical services I need to support the alignment of my physical and emotional well-being with my gender identity. My gender identity is not an ideology. It is who I am and how I live. I have a fundamental right to make decisions for myself with my physicians. Restricting my access to this care is a violation of personal freedom and bodily autonomy. Denying or restricting this care is not harmful to anyone else but me and transgender folks like me. I do not believe a politician should have more sway in how I am receiving healthcare. I should not have to fight for healthcare because of who I am.

Further, I should be allowed unfettered access to testosterone that enables me to live my

authentic self. The tracking of testosterone in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

targets me as a transman and violates my privacy. There is no legitimate reason to track this

essential drug for my health, which I receive as prescribed by my doctor.

By passing this legislation it ensures that gender-affirming care remains available for all and

recognizes what this care truly is – essential healthcare. This is your time to lead Colorado in

providing fairness and protecting the dignity of all Coloradoans.

I urge you to vote YES on HB25-1309.

Thank you for your attention, time and service.