BY BTL STAFF
The LGBT community is up against heavy opposition in the upcoming presidential election year. Less than a year ago the LGBT community rejoiced in its big win for marriage equality, winning a series of cases that spread across the country and landed a seat before the U.S. Supreme Court. But all of that excitement must come to an end as 44 anti-trans bills are being considered by 16 states across the country.
According to a new report by the Human Rights Campaign titled "Anti-Transgender Legislation Spreads Nationwide, Bills Targeting Transgender Children Surge," trans people are under attack like never before. Last year was considered a "transgender tipping point" by many political pundits who saw an increased level of public awareness surrounding trans issues. However, it appears that this year will be the exact opposite as those who fear the LGBT community position themselves for retaliation.
In 2015 alone, 125 anti-LGBT bills were introduced in state Houses. Twenty-one of them targeted transgender individuals, but none of them became law. This year, anti-trans bills addressing gender-affirming health care; the creation of state-sanctioned avenues of anti-trans discrimination; and the denial of trans access to bathrooms, locker rooms, and athletic teams consistent with their gender identity have popped up in full force.
HRC is tracking the 175 anti-LGBT bills across the country and has found 44 of them to specifically target the trans community. As of Feb. 19, there are 29 bills to police bathrooms and locker rooms, two determining health and healthcare, three pertaining to anti-trans marriage and three regarding discrimination; there are also two birth certificate bills and five First Amendment Defense Acts.
"This deeply disturbing trend is a stark reminder of just how vicious and deplorable opponents of equality are in their relentless attacks against our community," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "HRC will continue to work with our state and national partners to vigorously oppose and work to defeat legislation that threatens the fundamental human rights of transgender people. As we work to defeat these discriminatory bills, we will also continue our efforts to advance critically-needed protections at the state, local and ultimately the federal level for LGBT people all across this country."
The South Dakota Legislature has approved legislation that would've prevented trans students in public schools from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. The measure was approved by both the state House and Senate but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
Last week Democrats from the Missouri state Senate filibustered for over 39 hours to fight a religious freedom bill that would make it legal to discriminate against the LGBT community based on "deeply held religious beliefs." That bill has been passed to the state House for consideration.
Twenty-three of the 44 anti-trans bills filed this year are leveled at trans children in schools and school athletics. Research shows that allowing trans kids to access the space consistent with their gender identity — something compelled for years by laws in 17 states as well as in hundreds of cities and school districts across the country — have not resulted in problems. However, forcing trans youth to use sex-segregated facilities contrary to their identity poses real harm on those students.
"Fear and a lack of understanding of transgender people are driving these egregious measures, which are addressing phantom problems, and have the potential of risking the safety, security and well-being of transgender people, including children, across the nation," Stephen Peters of the HRC wrote in the release of the 2016 report.
Thankfully none of these anti-trans measures have made their way to Michigan. However Sen. Ted Cruz, a GOP presidential candidate from Texas, announced he has appointed Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Bay City, as legislative co-chair of his Michigan campaign.
Glenn, who is president of the Michigan American Family Association, is known for his anti-LGBT stance and was integral in getting the 2004 Michigan Marriage Amendment, determining marriage as just between a man and woman, passed.
The HRC has compiled two reports discussing at length the legislative climate for 2016.
To read "Pro-Equality and Anti-LGBT State and Local Legislation," visit http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/2016_Legislative-Doc.pdf.
To read "Anti-Transgender Legislation Spreads Nationwide, Bills Targeting Trans Children Surge," visit http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/HRC-Anti-Trans-Issue-Brief-FINAL-REV2.pdf.
