CEC Chair Takano's Remarks on H.R. 2616

On May 20, 2026, CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano spoke on the floor of the House against H.R. 2616. Below are his remarks as prepared:

Mr. Speaker,

I spent 24 years as an educator—as a classroom teacher and an advisor to the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance.

During that time, I knew children who suffered physical violence at the hands of family members who found out that they were gay. I knew kids who were withdrawn from school because staff had informed their parents of their perceived sexual identity.

The story of those students is exactly what is at stake in this bill.

Those of us who have taught LGBTQI+ children—or have been LGBTQI+ children ourselves—know the sad reality that not all children come from homes that accept their differences.

This bill puts educators in an impossible position: teachers would be legally required to out transgender children, even if they knew that doing so would put the child at risk of physical harm or even being kicked out of their home.

40% of homeless youth are LGBTQI+, largely because they’ve been rejected by their families.

Of course teachers should involve parents in their child’s education. But a teacher also has a professional duty to ensure a child’s safety.

This bill also forbids the teaching of any subject related to the existence of transgender people. That includes banning books, supportive student groups, or even textbooks that reference gender dysphoria.

Transgender kids exist. They aren’t products of a conspiracy or indoctrination. They are just kids, made who they are by God and by nature. They deserve our care and respect, just as any child does.

The Majority is intent on making sure that transgender kids don’t have anywhere where they feel included, recognized, or safe.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill and I yield back.

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Watch Rep. Takano's remarks as delivered here.