Transgender Action Online

SarahEL

Administrator

From: Minnesota

Registered: 2023-03-09

Posts: 170

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Anti transgender legislation in the USA - a personal opinion

The United States is seeing a worrying trend of anti-transgender legislation sweeping across the country, with several states passing or attempting to pass bills that aim to limit the rights of transgender individuals.

In recent months, states including Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Montana have passed laws that restrict transgender individuals from accessing healthcare, participating in sports, and even using public restrooms. These laws are being widely criticized by LGBTQ+ rights advocates who say they are discriminatory and violate the civil rights of transgender individuals.

The most controversial of these laws is Arkansas' "Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act," which prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender minors. The law, which was vetoed by Governor Asa Hutchinson but then overridden by the state's legislature, has been called "cruel and unconstitutional" by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

In response to these laws, several lawsuits have been filed by civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), to challenge their legality. The Biden administration has also voiced its opposition to the laws, with President Joe Biden issuing an executive order on his first day in office that aimed to protect LGBTQ+ rights.

Despite these efforts, however, the trend of anti-transgender legislation shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, more than 70 bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country that aim to restrict the rights of transgender individuals.

Critics of the laws say they not only violate the basic human rights of transgender individuals, but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination against the community. They fear that these laws will lead to further marginalization and harm for an already vulnerable population.

While several states in the US are passing anti-transgender legislation, others are working to support and protect the rights of transgender individuals. States like Minnesota and California have taken steps to ensure that transgender individuals have access to healthcare, education, and employment without facing discrimination.

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order in 2021 establishing the "One Minnesota Equity Blueprint," which includes specific actions to promote equity for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. The blueprint includes a focus on creating safe and inclusive environments for transgender individuals in schools, healthcare, and employment settings.

Similarly, California has been a leader in protecting the rights of transgender individuals. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act, which requires that transgender individuals be housed in facilities that correspond to their gender identity, rather than their assigned sex at birth. The law also requires that transgender individuals be referred to by their chosen name and pronouns, and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.

Both Minnesota and California have also taken steps to ensure that transgender individuals have access to healthcare. In Minnesota, Medicaid covers gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery. California has gone even further, with Medi-Cal covering gender-affirming healthcare for individuals of all ages, including minors.

These efforts by Minnesota and California are being praised by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups as important steps towards promoting equity and protecting the rights of transgender individuals. They serve as examples of how states can work to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.

As the fight for transgender rights continues across the US, it is important to recognize and support the efforts of states like Minnesota and California that are working to promote equality and protect the rights of all individuals. However, the battle over transgender rights in the US is far from over, and it remains to be seen how these laws will ultimately be resolved. In the meantime, ourselves and other transgender advocates continue to fight for the rights of transgender individuals and to challenge discriminatory legislation wherever it arises.

Sarah E. L.

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Sarahel-slang term: Coming from the Gewada region language in Ethiopia
-when two people are very close friends, it is said to be Sarahel
Ex. Those two really love each other, they are sarahel