US Congressional members have been displaying transgender pride flags outside their offices in the run-up to Transgender Day of Visibility on Sunday (31 March).

Trans rights are under threat in the US under the presidency of Republican Donald Trump.

A US judge last week reminded the administration that Trump’s controversial ban on transgender people serving in the military was still blocked by the courts.

Meanwhile, Democrats earlier this month re-introduced the long-awaited Equality Act to Congress.

This bill seeks to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected traits.

If passed, it would prohibit discrimination in various areas, including employement, housing, public accommodation, and more on a national level.

The National Center for Transgender Equality gave transgender pride flags to all members of Congress and encouraged them to display them ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility.

‘Our rights as a community must no longer be ignored’ the center tweeted.

Who flew the flag?

Senator Bernie Sanders was among the first to fly the flag.

‘Discrimination has no place in our society’ he wrote on Twitter.

‘I am proud to display this flag as a symbol of my support for transgender people across the country. We must stand with transgender people in all of our communities.’

He was quickly joined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jennifer Wexton, and Yvette Clark.

In these divisive times, we must remember our duty to treat everyone with dignity and respect. In honor of #TransVisibilityWeek, I will display the transgender pride flag to show my trans/non-binary constituents and friends they #WontBeErased as long as I hold office. pic.twitter.com/vFEWNT2aj0

— Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) March 26, 2019

As a member of the Equality Caucus, I will continue the fight to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. This flag is an expression of my commitment to preserve the right of every person to live with dignity and pride. #TransVisibilityWeek pic.twitter.com/2UJyzJXvku

— Paul Tonko (@RepPaulTonko) March 26, 2019

In divisive times, it’s more important than ever to lead by example and treat everyone with dignity and respect. To San Diego’s transgender community: I will always fight to ensure you don’t face hate, discrimination, or prejudice. You #WontBeErased. #TransVisibilityWeek pic.twitter.com/053sfU7sB4

— Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottPeters) March 26, 2019

As a member of the Equality Caucus, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. This flag is a symbol of my commitment to preserve the right of every person to dignity and pride. #TransVisibilityWeek pic.twitter.com/y6BO4zSTwM

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) March 26, 2019

No one should be forced to live in the shadows out of fear. I see you, I hear you and I will never stop fighting for the full legal and social equality of the transgender community. Our diversity is our greatest promise. Your visibility is a strength. #WontBeErased pic.twitter.com/wmSkWgqKmL

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) March 26, 2019

For #TransVisibilityWeek I am honored to show my support for my transgender constituents and transgender people across the country. In Congress, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, and prejudice. pic.twitter.com/fNlbHIsG5u

— Rep. Sean Casten (@RepCasten) March 26, 2019

As a member of the Equality Caucus, I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. This flag is a symbol of my commitment to preserve the right of every person to dignity and pride. #TransVisibilityWeek pic.twitter.com/M6bucecD1w

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) March 26, 2019

It’s empowering to place the trans flag outside of my office during #TransVisibilityWeek. We will continue to fight for the entire trans and gender non-conforming community. Whether it is serving in the military or using the restroom of your choice, you #WontBeErased pic.twitter.com/nLvV1oHhxm

— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) March 26, 2019

I’m proud to hang the Transgender Pride Flag on our #AZ02 door. In the halls of Congress, we should always remember our commitment to safety and equality for ALL. #TransVisibilityWeek #WontBeErased pic.twitter.com/Iu1Hy8aZvx

— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (@RepKirkpatrick) March 26, 2019

During #TransVisibilityWeek I join in solidarity with transgender constituents in WA09 and transgender people across the country. In the halls of Congress, we should always remember our commitment to safety and equality for everyone. My office is welcome and open to all. pic.twitter.com/6jUMWc64qz

— Rep. Adam Smith (@RepAdamSmith) March 26, 2019

Proud to hang the trans flag outside of my D.C. office during #TransVisibilityWeek. To my trans constituents and to the entire trans and gender non-conforming community: you are loved, you are strong and you #WontBeErased. pic.twitter.com/VdRJpNw7nC

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) March 26, 2019