As state legislative sessions come to a close, many are on their seats wondering how LGBTQ+ rights are going to fare in their home states. Across the country is a mixture of gender-affirming care bans, anti-discrimination bills, and legal battles, especially over transgender rights.
This week is no exception, as the following stories reveal what exactly is going on with LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
Wyoming’s governor recently implemented a full ban on gender-affirming care for minors. This is expected to detransition countless youth in the state. (LGBTQ Nation)
Also from Kansas, the state legislature passed a bill that would require websites to need identification to view specific content, including “acts of homosexuality.” This bill will be going to the governor’s desk. (The Advocate)
New Hampshire’s House of Representatives approved House Bill 1205, which would ban transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports teams. The bill will move on towards the state Senate. (Los Angeles Blade)
Georgia’s Republican party attempted a last-ditch effort to get anti-trans bills through the legislature by forcing them all into an omnibus package. This was done during the last day of the legislative session. (LGBTQ Nation)
A Texas judge placed a temporary injunction on a civil investigation order from Attorney General Ken Paxton. This will prevent other states and organizations from being required to turn over sensitive medical information to the Texas state government. (LGBTQ Nation)
Sacramento, California, voted in a unanimous resolution to designate the city as a sanctuary city for transgender people. This comes in response to the many states banning gender-affirming care for minors. (LGBTQ Nation)
Idaho Governor Brad Little signed off on House Bill 668, a piece of legislation that would ban any coverage for transgender healthcare under state insurance, like Medicaid. The bill passed through the House and Senate thanks to the strong conservative leanings of the state. (Idaho Capital Sun)
The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Ohio state legislature over its House Bill 68, a bill that restricts the ability of transgender minors to access healthcare. They hope to get the law overturned before its supposed to go into effect. (ABC News)
Kansas’s Senate Bill 233, a gender-affirming care ban for minors, is expected to pass through the state legislature. Democratic Governor Laura Kelly is expected to veto the bill. However, an override is expected due to the Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate. (LGBTQ Nation)
A proposed bill in Colorado, Senate Bill 189, would enshrine protections for transgender people in state law. Currently, protections for trans people are offered through sexual orientation language in hate crimes legislation; this would help to clarify these protections and make them more explicit. (Denver Post)
