The state Department of Health released a rare position statement on Thursday denouncing transphobia, transphobic action and other transgender discrimination as a threat to public health.

"The mission of the Hawaii Department of Health is to promote and protect the physical, behavioral, and environmental health for all people in Hawaii,” the statement read. “All people includes our mahuwahine, mahukane, transgender, gender diverse people, and other populations experiencing discrimination. These marginalized populations experience health disparities, including for indicators measuring access to health care, bullying, interpersonal violence, depression, suicidality, and substance use.

“Such health inequity is a significant public health concern,” the statement continued. “In alignment with our mission, we denounce discrimination, including transphobia and transphobic action, and we recognize it as a threat to public health. We support our gender diverse community, and we also acknowledge the resilience and strength of gender diverse people in the face of discrimination and honor the acceptance and valued role of gender diverse people in traditional Hawaiian culture. The Department of Health believes that all people of Hawaii should have an equitable opportunity to achieve their optimal state of health and well-being.”

A DOH news release said the “Statement on Transgender Rights and Public Health” was composed in response to “increasing attacks on transgender communities in the U.S.”

“We support our gender-diverse community in Hawaii,” said Diana Felton, chief of the Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Branch. “We also acknowledge the resilience and strength of gender-diverse people in the face of discrimination and honor the valued role of gender-diverse people in traditional Hawaiian culture.”

DOH staff will also participate in the Honolulu Pride parade and festival in October to support the LGBT community and promote public health.