Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke highlighted the plight that trans women face, particularly trans women of color, as he ran with members of the LGBTQ community during a two-mile Pride run in New York City on June 13.

The former Texas representative specifically addressed the killings of two trans women of color in his home state of Dallas, Texas:

"Chynal Lindsey and Muhlaysia Booker, both murdered, so far with impunity and unfortunately its not the exception, it turns out it's the rule," O'Rourke said to the crowd. "As we listen to members of the trans community across this country, the crimes that are reported are not being followed up on."

Lindsey's body was discovered in White Rock Lake earlier this month, while Booker, 23, was fatally shot in a Dallas street in late May — just weeks after she was assaulted at an apartment complex. 

O'Rourke said that the trans community hasn't been treated with the respect and dignity that they are owed, so his administration is looking to meet the challenge with proposed new protections for trans people.

The sweeping proposals, outlined on his website, would direct the Department of Justice to investigate crimes  against people in the trans community, particularly trans women of color. Officers would also require training on use of force and on accurately reporting the gender of victims.

To address violence directed at trans women of color, his administration would seek to reinstate the “Transgender Offender Manual” to ensure safe housing for trans people in Federal Bureau of Prisons custody.

O'Rourke also pledged to work with congress to pass the Equality Act. Employment and housing discrimination against trans individuals would be illegal under the proposed legislative action, and it would ensure LGBTQ individuals have equal access to health care and insurance, including coverage of hormone treatments.

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