Senate approves resolution recognizing International Transgender Day of Visibility after floor debate

The Delaware Senate voted to recognize March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 25, passing the House Concurrent Resolution after floor debate.

Supporters said the day honors transgender residents and draws attention to discrimination and violence they face. Senator Coors, who brought the resolution forward, said the observance celebrates ‘‘those contributions and honoring the courage it takes to live openly and authentically every single day’’ and emphasized inclusion and respect.

Opponents focused on language in the resolution that described a ‘‘record number of anti‑transgender bills’’ introduced nationwide. Senator Richardson said he would not support the resolution as written, arguing that the term describes a broad set of measures that include policies he characterized as protecting children in schools and girls’ sports. ‘‘For these reasons, I will not be supporting this resolution with my vote,’’ he said.

Senator Buxton urged more precise language, telling colleagues he would support a version that simply recognized the day without the broader characterization. Senator Pinkney pushed back on attempts to condition support, saying visibility ‘‘is not for the comfort of other people’’ but for the safety and recognition of transgender people.

Senator Cruz said the debate itself illustrated why the resolution is needed and defended the resolution’s specificity. After discussion, the Senate took a roll-call vote: 14 yes, 3 no, 1 not voting and 3 absent. The resolution was declared passed.

The resolution is nonbinding and chiefly symbolic; the Senate did not attach policy changes or funding. The next procedural step is entry of the resolution into the legislative record and transmittal consistent with interchamber practice.