Maggie Parker is the 2018 Winner of Bernie Sanders' State of the Union Essay Contest

Every year, Vermont State Senator, Bernie Sanders, puts on a State of the Union essay contest for Vermont High School Students where he asks them to write about our country’s biggest issues and challenges. Out of the nearly 600 students who entered the contest this year, 20 finalists were chosen to attend a round table discussion with Sanders and will have their essays published in the Congressional Record.

This year’s overall contest winner is WUHS Sophomore, Maggie Parker. Parker wrote her essay about the need for protection of the American LGBT community.

She was featured in an interview with Bernie Sanders on WCAX TV that you can view here: http://www.wcax.com/video?vid=472420363

Here’s Maggie’s Contest Winning Essay:

In our current day and age, I believe that one major challenge that faces our country is the prevention of hate crimes against minorities. One group I believe needs specific protection, especially with the new administration, are members of the LGBT community. With the recent military ban on transgender Americans, the LGBT community is feeling singled out and at risk. One way to bring a greater feeling of peace to these fellow Americans is by increasing protections instead of taking them away. I believe two major steps forward to help these people would be a law against employment discrimination for LGBT people, and also a repeal of “bathroom bills” which put transgender people at a greater risk of being harassed for their identity.

Firstly, on the topic of employment discrimination, many LGBT Americans face discrimination in the workplace simply for being open about their identities. In 2011, the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy conducted a series of surveys and found that 43% of LGBT Americans said they had faced discrimination in the workplace, and also found that straight coworkers say they had witnessed discrimination based on sexual orientation. One way to solve these struggles would be to put in place a law that prohibits employers discriminating against current and prospective employees on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. A law such as this could help reduce workplace discrimination and make it easier for LGBT people to find a hold a job

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Second, on the topic of so-called “bathroom bills”, all people should have a safe place to use the restroom, regardless of gender identity. During the Obama presidency, an order was put into place that allowed students in all public schools to use the bathroom that best matched their gender identity. While there was much push-back, this was generally a step forward for young transgender people. However, early in 2017, President Trump reversed this order, effectively taking away much protection for transgender youth. It is important for this order not only to go back into place for schools but also in all places. It is unfair and uncomfortable for transgender Americans, who are living their lives as their true identity, to be forced to use a restroom that does not correspond to that identity. This is not only an embarrassment for them, but can also put them at greater risk of violence in said bathroom.

All in all, I believe that protection for LGBT Americans is one major challenge facing our country. If we truly want to be an example of an accepting country, with protections for minorities, we have to be able to step up and protect our fellow citizens. Through the changes I have outlined above, as well as others, I truly believe that our country can start to be a leader in the civil rights movement across the world.

Congratulations to Maggie for this exciting accomplishment!