We must protect trans lives in the rise of discriminatory legislation
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY THE GENDER SPECTRUM COLLECTION BY BROADLY
Transphobia and anti-trans laws are rampantly on the rise. Idaho has become one of at least 11 states that have moved forward last week. Idaho House approved legislation that makes it a felony for a doctor to provide gender affirming healthcare for transgender children. The bill will go on to the state’s Republican-controlled senate and if approved it will either be signed into law or vetoed.
A study published last month found that gender-affirming care reduces the risk of moderate to severe depression by 60% and suicide by 73%. Gender affirming healthcare is proven to save lives and with 2021 marking the deadliest year globally for trans people since records began, it is stark to see the perpetuated attack of our rights. Alarmingly, a recent CNN analysis shows that more than 150 anti-LGBTQI bills have been introduced so far in 2022.
Many LGBTQI people and our allies have been spoken out by taking to social media, attending walkouts and protests.
There are 280 anti-trans bills projected for 2022. That is obscene. The sheer level of transphobia (and esp transmisogyny) targeting trans people right now is severely underreported, and most political analysts believe it is a “distraction.” It’s not.https://t.co/OZ556Fbbx0
— Ana Valens (@acvalens) March 10, 2022
My trans agenda is not to turn cis children into trans, but it’s to turn trans children into adults.
— NiiLee Cyrus (@JeSuisNiiLee) March 11, 2022
The Idaho House of Representatives has passed legislation to make it a crime punishable by life in prison for a parent to seek out gender-affirming health care for their transgender child. https://t.co/ychrrLijIN
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 10, 2022
You see, this has never happened. This is a defamatory lie, with no evidence, because no evidence exists.
— Owen Jones 🌹 (@OwenJones84) March 13, 2022
But Britain’s anti-trans hysteria is opening the floodgates to rampant general anti-LGBTQ bigotry, including portraying gay men as pedophiles. pic.twitter.com/NhXHbPxzbI
This rise in anti-trans laws is sinister. Transgender youth are extremely marginalised and the right-wing arguments mirror misogynistic, homophobic and racist debates that have been part of our history for a long time.
A glimmer of hope came in this weekend when a Texas judge temporarily blocked the state from investigating parents who provide their transgender children with gender-affirming medical care. Thankfully not all bills will be advancing, but the rampant rise is horrifying and trans allyship is severely needed. The fight for opposition when it comes to anti-trans legislation requires tireless work from advocates.
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