Arizona Republican Legislators Advanced A Bill Requiring Insurers That Cover Gender-Affirming Care, To Also Cover De-Transition Services, And Require Healthcare Providers That Offer Gender-Affirming Care To Also Offer Or Pay For De-Transition Services. [Arizona Legislature, 2024 Regular Session, SB 1511, passed Senate 2/22/24; Tucson Sentinel, 2/2/24]
Arizona Senate Republicans Advanced A Bill That Would Remove Any Mention Of Gender In State Law & Replace It With A Strict, Inflexible Definition Of Biological Sex. [Arizona Legislature, 2024 Regular Session, SB 1628, passed Senate 2/22/24; AZ Mirror, 2/14/24]
Colorado Democratic House Lawmakers Passed A Foster Care Bill Of Rights That Includes Protections To Freely Express Gender Identity. [9 News, 1/30/24; Colorado General Assembly, 2024 Regular Session, HB24-1017, passed 2/9/24]
Georgia Republican Lawmakers Introduced A Bill To Strip Protections Based On Sexual And Gender Identity, Define Gender As Assigned Sex At Birth, And Restrict Access To Public Restrooms And Locker Rooms Based On Sex Assigned At Birth. [The Advocate, 2/7/24] [Georgia General Assembly, HB 1128, introduced 2/1/24]
The Bill Did Not Advance By Crossover Day. [Georgia General Assembly, HB 1128, accessed 3/1/24]
Georgia Republican Lawmakers Introduced A Bill To Require Parental Consent For Instruction On Gender Identity Or Sexual Orientation And Require School Personnel To Out Trans Students To Their Parents. [Georgia General Assembly, HB 1045, introduced 1/25/24]
The Bill Did Not Advance By Crossover Day. [Georgia General Assembly, HB 1045, accessed 3/1/24]
Georgia Republican Senators Advanced A “Don’t Say Gay” Bill That Would Prohibit Private Schools From Teaching About LGBTQ+ Issues Without Parents’ Permission, Require Public School Boards To Develop Policies Regarding Gender Identity, And Require School Personnel To Potentially Out Trans Students. [Georgia Recorder, 2/14/23] [Georgia General Assembly, SB 88, advanced 2/15/24]
The Bill Did Not Advance By Crossover Day. [Georgia General Assembly, SB 88, accessed 3/1/24]
Georgia Senate Republican Lawmakers Advanced A Bill To Limit The Government’s Ability To Pass Or Enforce Laws That Conflict With Religious Beliefs, And Could Lead To Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Georgians. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/23/24]
Georgia Senate Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill To Limit The Government’s Ability To Pass Or Enforce Laws That Conflict With Religious Beliefs, And Could Lead To Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Georgians. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/1/24]
Georgia Senate Republican Lawmakers Advanced Legislation To Ban Puberty Blockers, After Grafting It Onto A Bill To Require Overdose Reversal Drugs In Government Buildings. [Georgia Recorder, 3/11/24]
Georgia Senate Republican Lawmakers Changed A Bill Aimed At Protecting The Mental Health Of Student-Athletes To A Bill That Would Ban Trans Students From Bathrooms, Require Schools To Notify Parents When Their Child Checked A Book Out Of A School Library, And Ban Trans Kids From Playing School Sports. [Georgia Recorder, 3/20/24]
Kansas Senate Republicans Introduced Legislation To Allow Physicians To Face Legal Action And Revocation Of Their License If They Provide Gender-affirming Care To Minors. [Kansas Legislature, 2023-2024 Legislative Session, SB 353, introduced 1/17/24]
Kansas House Republicans Advanced A Bill Banning Gender-Affirming Care For Minors. [Kansas Legislature, 2023-2024 Legislative Session, SB 233, Passed in the House 3/13/24; Kansas Reflector, 3/13/24]
Maine Democrats Introduced Legislation To Prevent Other States From Taking Legal Action Against Minors Who Travel To Maine For Gender-Affirming Care. [Maine Legislature, 2023-2024 Regular Session, Carried over 7/26/23; WGME, 1/22/24]
Michigan Republicans Introduced A House Joint Resolution, Called A “Women’s Bill Of Rights,” To Define Sex In The State Constitution As An Individual’s Biological Sex Assigned At Birth. [HJRE, 2023-2024 Second Regular Session, carried over, 1/10/24]
Michigan Republican Legislators Participated In A Discussion On Social Media Discussing Plans To Introduce Legislation That Would Ban Gender-Affirming Health Care For Everyone, Regardless Of Age. [Michigan Advance, 1/28/24]
DFL Rep. Leigh Finke, Minnesota’s First Openly Transgender Lawmaker, Introduced A Bill Requiring That Health Insurers Operating In Minnesota Cover Gender-Affirming Care. [Minnesota Reformer, 3/6/24] [Minnesota Legislature, HF 2607, accessed 3/15/24]
New Hampshire’s Republican-Controlled House Passed A Bill To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Minors. [HB 619, 2024 Regular Session, passed House, 1/4/24]
New Hampshire’s Republican-Controlled House Passed A Bill To Mandate Gender-Specific Spaces Such As Bathrooms, Locker Rooms, And Prisons. [HB 369, 2024 Regular Session, passed House, 1/4/24]
The Bill Was Approved By The House And Sent To The Senate For Consideration. [Boston Globe, 2/1/24]
New Hampshire Republican Senators Sponsored A Bill To Require Certain Mandatory Disclosures By School District Employees To Parents. [SB 341, 2024 Regular Session, introduced, 1/3/24]
The Bill Was Criticized For Targeting LGBTQ+ Students. [InDepthNH, 1/4/24]
Pennsylvania House Democrats Announced A Plan To Introduce A Package Of Bills To Protect LGBTQ+ Students In Pennsylvania Schools. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/28/23]
Pennsylvania House Republicans Introduced Legislation To Ban Instruction On Gender Identity Or Sexual Orientation In K-5th Grades. [HB 319, 2023-2024 Second Regular Session, carried over, 1/2/24]
Pennsylvania Republican House Lawmakers Announced Plans To Introduce Legislation To Prohibit Teachers From Facing Discipline Or Suit For Refusing To Use A Student’s Preferred Gender Pronouns. [York Daily Record, 3/15/24]
Lawmakers In The House And Senate Passed Legislation To Enshrine The Legality Of Same-Sex Marriage In Virginia Law, Even If The Supreme Court Overturned Obergefell. [Virginia Mercury, 2/21/24] [Virginia General Assembly, HB 174, passed 2/19/24]
The Governor Signed The Bill Into Law. [Virginia General Assembly, HB 174, signed 3/8/24]
Wisconsin Democrats Proposed Legislation To Repeal Anti-Marriage Equality Language From The State Constitution. [WPR.org, 12/13/23]
Wisconsin Republicans Passed A Bill In The Assembly That Would Ban Trans Students From Playing Sports On Teams That Align With Their Gender Identity. [AB 377, 2023-2024 Regular Session, carried over 1/16/24]
Wisconsin Assembly Republicans Passed A “Parental Bill of Rights” That Would Ban Preferred Gender Pronouns Without Parental Consent. [Cap Times, 1/18/24]
Wisconsin Democratic Lawmakers Introduced The Equal Rights Amendment To Modify The Constitution To Guarantee Equal Rights On The Basis Of Sex, Gender Identity, Race, Color, And Sexual Orientation. [WEAU 13 News, 2/5/24]
LGBTQ+ Rights Key Legislation – 2023
Alabama
Multiple Bills Brought By Republican Lawmakers Which Targeted The LGBTQ+ Community Died At The End Of The Legislative Session.“Multiple bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community in this year’s legislative session have died, failing to make it through a single chamber. A bill by Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Shelby County, that would have banned drag queens from public spaces where minors might be present gained a lot of attention a few weeks ago, inspiring hundreds of members of the lGBTQ+ community to march on the Capitol. Many of them were dressed in drag. Also running out of time is the “What is a Woman Act” by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover. The bill sought to align the legal definitions of “man” and “woman” under Alabama law and align it with biological sex at birth. […] Another bill to die is a new “Don’t Say Gay” bill by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, that would have expanded the state’s current ban on discussion of LGBTQ issues all the way to eighth grade. It is currently only banned up to third grade.” [Alabama Political Reporter, 6/1/23]
Alaska
Alaska Rep. Jennie Armstrong (D, HD-16) Introduced Legislation To Protect LGBTQ+ Members From Discrimination In Housing. “Anchorage Democratic Rep. Jennie Armstrong, one of three newly elected LGBTQ members of the Alaska Legislature, has introduced a new proposal to ban housing discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation. House Bill 99 is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday in the House Labor and Commerce Committee. The bill’s introduction on Wednesday came days after the Anchorage Daily News published an article noting that the state of Alaska had dropped a policy that banned most forms of discrimination against LGBTQ people here.” [Alaska Beacon, 3/10/23]
Arizona
Republican Lawmakers Passed Four Bills That Would Place Restrictions On Drag Performers And Shows. “Arizona Senator Anthony Kern proposing two of the bills – one to prevent drag shows or adult cabaret shows from happening in public where children might see, and another limiting the days and hours at which these shows can be performed, also setting more specific zoning requirements for where these shows can happen. The third was proposed by Arizona Senator John Kavanagh and addresses where the money is coming from for these types of shows.”[Fox10 Phoenix, 1/7/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1026, Transmitted To Governor 6/14/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1028, Transmitted To Governor 6/12/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1030, Transmitted To Governor 6/12/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1698, Transmitted To Governor 6/12/23]
Republican Legislators Have Introduced A Bill That Bans Gender-Affirming Care, Including Surgery And Hormone Treatments For Minors. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1702, introduced 2/1/23]
A Bill Requiring School Employees To Notify Parents If A Student Shares Information Regarding Their Sexuality Or Gender Identity Was Introduced By House Republicans. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2711, introduced 2/7/23]
Senate Democrats Introduced A Bill Repealing A Statute Requiring Student Athletes To Compete On Teams Matching Their Biological Sex. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1543, introduced 2/2/23]
House Democrats Introduced A Similar Bill. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2068, introduced 1/17/23]
Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill That Would Require Parental Permission For Students To Use Pronouns Matching With Their Gender Identity. “Democrats slammed the measure as an attempt to score political points at the expense of vulnerable youth. And that effort has dire consequences: surveys conducted by the Trevor Project, an organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth, concluded that discriminatory legislation negatively impacts the mental health of trans and nonbinary people, and may increase the rates at which they contemplate suicide — which are already disproportionately high.” [AZ Mirror, 3/2/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1001, Transmitted to Governor 5/17/23]
Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill Banning Transgender Students From Using Bathrooms That Match Their Gender Identity. “Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, who, like all of the Democrats in the chamber, voted against the bill, criticized it for singling out trans students when concerns could be resolved via other means. She noted that bathrooms already come equipped with stalls, and suggested requiring schools to hang shower curtains, instead. In a previous committee hearing of the bill, Marsh proposed the bill be changed to ask schools to provide accommodations for uncomfortable students, but that idea was rejected by Kavanagh.” [AZ Mirror, 3/1/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1040, Transmitted To Governor 6/2/23]
California Democrats Killed A Bill By Republican Lawmakers That Would Have Required Teachers To Notify Their Parents If A Student Is Transgender. “On Monday, the Assembly Education Committee said it will not set a hearing for a bill that would have required teachers to notify parents if their child is transgender, essentially killing the legislation that Republican Assemblymembers Bill Essayli from Riverside and James Gallagher from Chico authored. The committee chairperson, Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi from Torrance, called the bill ‘bad policy’ and said that a hearing would ‘potentially provide a forum for increasingly hateful rhetoric targeting LGBTQ youth.’ In a statement, Gallagher said the move was ‘sad, but not surprising.’” [Cal Matters, 4/12/23]
Colorado
Republican Lawmakers In Colorado Introduced An Anti-Trans Sports Ban. “A bill that would ban transgender student athletes from participating in women’s sports is scheduled for a Monday hearing at the Colorado Legislature. House Bill 23-1098, the Women’s Rights in Athletics bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Byron Pelton of Sterling and Republican Reps. Lisa Frizell of Castle Rock and Brandi Bradley of Littleton, would require athletes to participate on teams according to their sex as assigned at birth, not their self-identified gender. Any intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural or club athletic team would be required to designate teams as either male, female or coeducational.” [Colorado Newsline, 2/7/23]
The Bill Was Rejected Along Party Lines. “House Bill 1098: This bill, sponsored by Reps. Lisa Frizell, Brandi Bradley and Sen. Byron Pelton, would have required that student athletes only participate in sports based on their biological sex at birth. It was rejected 8-3 along party lines by the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 13 after an hour and a half of testimony.” [Colorado Sun, 2/28/23]
Colorado Democrats Are Fighting To Shield People Seeking Gender-Affirming Care From Out-Of-State Legal Investigations. “State Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat and a lead sponsor of the bill, said the idea behind the legislation is to prevent investigations into things that are legal in Colorado. ‘Gender-affirming and reproductive health care services are lawful here in Colorado, so why would Colorado law enforcement agencies, courts or our governor investigate activity that is legal in this state?’ Gonzales said. Other lead sponsors of the bill are Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, of Boulder County, Rep. Meg Froelich, of Englewood, and Rep. Brianna Titone, of Arvada. ‘Our fundamental freedoms are constantly under attack through hurtful transphobic rhetoric, anti-gay bills and egregious attempts to limit who we are. In Colorado, we say no more,’ Titone, Colorado’s first transgender lawmaker, said at a news conference at the Capitol.” [Colorado Sun, 3/9/23]
The Gov. Signed Legislation Making The State A Safe Haven For Gender-Affirming Care. “A trio of health care bills enshrining access in Colorado to abortion and gender-affirming procedures and medications became law Friday as the Democrat-led state tries to make itself a safe haven for its neighbors, whose Republican leaders are restricting care. The main goal of the legislation signed by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is to ensure people in surrounding states and beyond can go to Colorado to have an abortion, begin puberty blockers or receive gender-affirming surgery without fear of prosecution. Bordering states of Wyoming and Oklahoma have passed abortion bans, and Utah has severely restricted transgender care for minors. Many states with abortion or transgender care bans are also criminalizing traveling to states for the purpose of accessing legal health care.” [Associated Press, 4/14/23]
Democrats In The Colorado House Introduced Legislation To Provide Amenities For All Genders In Public Buildings. [Colorado Legislature, 2023 Session, Introduced 1/13/23]
Florida
The FL GOP’s New Anti-Trans Bill Would Prohibit Gender-Affirming Health Care For Minors And Adults; The Bill Is So Extreme That Critics Argue It Could Ban Treatment For Breast Cancer. “A Florida House of Representatives committee on Wednesday advanced an anti-trans bill that is so broad and so extreme that it could also prevent people from getting treated for breast cancer. […] Republicans across the country have introduced bills targeting gender-affirming care, insisting that by doing so, they are protecting children. But the Florida bill goes a step further and says the quiet part out loud: It targets care for trans adults too. The bill bans health insurance policies from covering gender-affirming care, which would prevent adults from accessing treatment.” [The New Republic, 3/22/23]
A Bill To Criminalize Parents And Medical Providers Who Help Trans Kids Get Gender-Affirming Health Care Advanced In The Florida Senate. “On March 13, Florida’s Senate Committee on Health Policy voted to pass Senate Bill 254, which would impose criminal penalties on parents, guardians and medical providers helping trans children as they seek gender-affirming care. According to the bill, licensed medical facilities and medical providers granting this life-saving care to trans people under 18 risk criminal penalty or revocation of their medical licenses.” [Truth Out, 3/22/23]
SB-254 Would Allow Florida Courts To Interfere With Custody Agreements From Other States If A Child Who Is Receiving Gender-Affirming Care Is Present In Florida. “In fact, according to the bill, Florida courts would have the right to intervene in custody agreements when one parent expresses disapproval of their child receiving this care. Ultimately, courts could place the child with the unsupportive parent who petitioned the court to prevent the child from receiving gender-affirming care. The law would even impose felony penalties on the parent providing gender-affirming care to the child. This would extend to children or parents not physically present in Florida, as Imara Jones, journalist and founder of TransLash Media, explains.” [Truth Out, 3/22/23]
GOP-Backed Legislation Would Restrict Sex-Ed To Grades 6-12, Require Instructors To Teach That Sexual Identity Is Determined At Birth, And Prohibit Certain Pronouns And Titles. “House Bill 1069, sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan McClain, would restrict public school instruction on human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases and related topics to grades 6 through 12 only. […] One focus of the bill is to define the term “sex” in schools by requiring instructors to teach that a person’s sexual identity is determined biologically at birth. The bill also seeks to prohibit employees and students from providing, being asked to provide, and being required to use certain titles and pronouns. The bill would also set up more scrutiny of certain educational materials by the state Department of Education and allow parents to object to books and other materials their children are exposed to.” [NBC Miami, 3/28/23]
Critics Dubbed The Legislation The “Don’t Say Period” Bill, Because Menstrual Cycle Education Would Be Restricted To Certain Grades. “HB 1069 has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Period” bill by critics after concerns about banning the discussion of menstrual periods were raised at a recent committee meeting. At the meeting, McClain said that menstrual cycles would be included among the topics restricted to grades 6 through 12.” [NBC Miami, 3/28/23]
Two Separate Bills Seek To Widen The Scope Of The “Dont Say Gay” Bill Through Grade Eight. “The bills, FL HB 1223 and FL SB 1320, stipulate that school employees can’t ask students for their preferred pronouns and restricts school staff from sharing their pronouns with students if they ‘do not correspond’ with their sex. Both bills also widen Florida’s prohibition on teaching about sexual identity and gender orientation from kindergarten through third grade to pre-k through eighth grade. One group labeled the measure the ‘Don’t Say They’ bill. ‘This legislation is about a fake moral panic, cooked up by Governor DeSantis to demonize LGBTQ people for his own political career,’ Maurer said.” [Politico, 3/5/23]
The Same Legislation Would Restrict The Use Of Preferred Gender Pronouns In Schools. “On Tuesday, a bill was filed in the Florida House of Representatives that would restrict the use of preferred gender pronouns in schools. According to the online filing, House Bill 1223 would require schools to adopt policies that support the notion that ‘a person’s sex is an immutable biological trait.’ ‘It shall be the policy of every public K-12 educational institution that is provided or authorized by the Constitution and laws of Florida that a person’s sex is an immutable biological trait and that it is false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to such person’s sex,’ the bill reads. ‘Sex’ would be defined in the education code as ‘the binary division of individuals based upon reproductive function.’ The bill would ban employees and students from being required to refer to a person by their preferred pronouns if they don’t correspond to that person’s sex.” [WESH 2, 3/1/23]
Georgia
Georgia Republican Lawmakers Introduced SB 88, WhichWould Prohibit Adults In School From Providing, Obtaining, Or Discussing With A Student “Information Of A Sensitive Nature”, Defined As Sex Education Or Gender Identity, Without Parents’ Permission. [SB 88, 2023 Legislative Session, introduced 2/2/23]
The Bill Would Also Ban Adults From Teaching “While Dressed In A Sexually Provocative Manner.” [SB 88, 2023 Legislative Session, introduced 2/2/23]
The Bill Threatened Withholding Of Funding For Public Schools. “The prohibitions in Senate Bill 88 would apply equally to public and private schools and in many cases to other places that oversee children, such as camps. Teachers and others overseeing children under 16 would be prohibited from providing sex education without parent consent, a major shift for schools that must by law offer sex ed. They also could not discuss sexual orientation or gender identity “other than the child’s biological sex” absent consent. SB 88 threatens loss of tax-exempt status for nonprofit organizations and withholding of funding for public schools.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/15/23]
SB 88 Was Tabled In Committee. [Sam Gringlas, Twitter, 3/1/23]
Georgia Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford) Introduced Legislation To Make It Illegal For Health Care Providers To Provide Gender-Affirming Care For Children. “A Republican state senator on Thursday filed legislation that would make it illegal for health care providers to give transgender children any treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Senate Bill 141, filed by Buford Republican Sen. Clint Dixon, would also ban nurses from encouraging children to seek gender affirmation treatment or keep any information that a student may be transgender from their parents. Fourteen Republicans are co-signers on the bill.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/9/23]
The Bill Would Also Ban Nurses From Encouraging Children To Seek Gender-Affirming Care And Require Them To Out Trans Children To Their Parents. “Senate Bill 141, filed by Buford Republican Sen. Clint Dixon, would also ban nurses from encouraging children to seek gender affirmation treatment or keep any information that a student may be transgender from their parents. Fourteen Republicans are co-signers on the bill.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/9/23]
SB 141 Did Not Receive A Committee Vote. “Senate Republicans had also considered Senate Bill 141, a similar measure sponsored by Buford Republican state Sen. Clint Dixon that would have restricted all medicinal and surgical treatment of minors if it is to assist them in aligning with their gender identity. It also would have created a path for children or their families to sue doctors who provided transgender health care. It did not get a committee vote.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/6/23]
The Republican-Majority Senate Passed SB 140 To Prohibit Doctors From Performing Gender-Affirming Surgeries Or Prescribing Hormone Replacement For Minors, Sending The Bill To The Governor. “A bill limiting the care Georgia doctors could provide to transgender children awaits Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature after passing the state Senate for a second time Tuesday. Senate Bill 140, authored by Cordele Republican Sen. Carden Summers, would prohibit doctors from performing gender-affirming surgeries or prescribing hormone replacements to Georgians under 18. Children who are already taking hormones when the law goes into effect will be able to continue.” [Georgia Recorder, 3/22/23]
SB 140 Would Ban “Sex Reassignment Surgeries” And “Any Other Surgical Procedures” Performed “For The Treatment Of Gender Dysphoria” In Minors. “Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, no sex reassignment surgeries, or any other surgical procedures, that are performed for the purpose of altering primary or secondary sexual characteristics shall be performed on a minor for the treatment of gender dysphoria in an institution licensed pursuant to this article.” [SB 140, 2023 Legislative Session, introduced 2/9/23]
SB 140 Would Prohibit Medical Professionals From Giving Trans Children Certain Hormone Treatment. “A state Senate panel on Wednesday passed a bill that would prohibit medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. […] SB 140 would not ban medication that slows or stops puberty, but it would ban health care professionals from giving transgender minors hormones such as estrogen or testosterone. Doctors also would not be allowed to perform surgeries on children.[Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/22/23]
Georgia Sen. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) Introduced SB 180. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/14/23]
SB 180 Was A “Religious Liberty” Bill That Would Limit The State’s Ability To Pass Laws That Conflicted With Religious Beliefs. “The measure by Republican state Sen. Ed Setzler, who previously sponsored Georgia’s anti-abortion law, would limit the state government’s ability to pass or enforce laws that conflict with religious beliefs.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/14/23]
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Critics Of The Legislation Feared It Could Empower Adoption Agencies And Businesses Who Refused To Serve Gay Couples. “Critics of the legislation fear that it could empower adoption agencies and businesses who refuse to serve gay couples. ‘While we can all agree that freedom of religion is a cornerstone of our beliefs, it is imperative that in an effort to protect religion that we do not create a license to discriminate,’ said Jeff Graham of Georgia Equality, a gay rights organization. Georgia doesn’t have a law protecting people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/14/23]
SB-180 Did Not Advance. [SB 180, 2023 Legislative Session, accessed 3/10/23]
Indiana
The Republican-Controlled Indiana Legislature Passed A Bill To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Minors. “Indiana House Republicans on Monday approved a bill that would ban all gender-affirming care for minors in the state, sending the measure to Indiana’s Republican governor amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the U.S. The House advanced the ban 65-30 after contentious hearings that primarily featured testimony from vocal opponents. The bill would prohibit transgender youth under 18 from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers and surgeries in the state.” [Associated Press, 3/27/23]
Kansas
The Republican-Controlled Legislature Voted To Revoke Licenses Of Physicians Who Perform Gender-Affirming Care. “The Legislature voted to effectively ban gender-affirming care for Kansans under the age of 18 and revoke the license of physicians who offered such care, comparing gender identity issues to smoking. The bill was heard and passed 70-52 in the House and 23-12 in the Senate during early Friday morning hours, following the Legislature’s decision to suspend protocol and work through the night.” [Kansas Reflector, 4/7/23]
The Democratic Governor Vetoed The Bill. [Los Angeles Blade, 4/23/23]
The Motion To Override The Veto Failed. [SB-26, 23-24 Regular Session, Introduced 3/16/23, Vetoed 4/24/23, Motion to Override 4/26/23]
The Republican-Controlled Legislature Approved A Bill Allowing Parents To Opt Kids Out Of LGBTQ-Themed Lessons. “The Republican-controlled Kansas House voted 76-46 to approve a “parental rights” measure that would allow a parent to place their child in an alternative to a public K-12 school lesson or activity that “impairs the parent’s sincerely held beliefs, values or principles.” The GOP-dominated Senate approved the measure last week, so it goes next to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.” [PBS, 4/6/23]
The Democratic Governor Vetoed The Bill. [HB-2236, 23-24 Regular Session, Introduced 3/1/23, Vetoed 4/24/23]
A House Motion To Override The Veto Failed. [HB-2236, 23-24 Regular Session, Introduced 3/1/23, Vetoed 4/24/23, Motion to Override 4/26/23]
The Republican-Controlled Legislature Banned Transgender Athletes From Women’s, Girls’ School Sports By Overriding The Governor’s Veto. “The Legislature on Wednesday overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s third veto in three years of a bill to ban transgender athletes, and came a day after state lawmakers passed a broad bathroom bill. Nineteen other states have imposed restrictions on transgender athletes, most recently Wyoming. The Kansas law takes effect July 1 and is among several hundred proposals that Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have pursued this year to push back on LGBTQ rights.” [PBS, 4/5/23]
The Republican-Controlled Legislature Passed One Of The Nation’s Broadest Bathroom Restrictions. “A Kansas bill to impose some of the nation’s broadest bathroom restrictions and ban transgender people from changing the name or gender on their driver’s licenses cleared the Legislature by margins Tuesday that suggest backers could override the Democratic governor’s expected veto. Kansas Senate voted 28-12 with one vote more than a two-thirds majority needed to overturn any veto, giving final passage to an earlier House-passed version and sending it to Gov. Laura Kelly. Both chambers have Republican supermajorities.” [Associated Press, 4/4/23]
The Democratic Governor Vetoed The Bill. [Los Angeles Blade, 4/23/23]
Republican Lawmakers Overrode The Governor’s Veto Of SB-180 Establishing A “Women’s Bill Of Rights” To Provide A Meaning Of Biological Sex For Purposes Of Statutory Construction. [SB-180, 23-24 Regular Session, Introduced 2/23/23, Vetoed 4/24/23, Motion to Override 4/27/23]
Kentucky
The GOP-Controlled Kentucky House Rushed To Pass Legislation That Would Prohibit Gender-Affirming Health Care For Minors And Prohibit Certain Discussions Related To Sexuality On The Last Day Of Session Before A Two-Week Break. [WLKY News Louisville, 3/16/23]
Senate Bill 150 Was Delivered To The Governor And Vetoed. [SB 150, 2023 Regular Session, 2/8/23]
GOP Lawmakers Overrode Kentucky Governor’s Veto on Anti-Trans Law. “The bill, described by L.G.B.T.Q. rights groups as among the most extreme in the nation, was vetoed on Friday by Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, but it was overridden in both the State House and Senate, where Republicans hold supermajorities.” [New York Times, 3/29/23]
Maine
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced A Package Of Bills That Would Provide Gender-Affirming Care Protections For Patients And Doctors. “In a public hearing late last week, representatives from the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Maine Psychological Association endorsed two bills designed to protect gender-affirming care for young people. One bill, LD 535 sponsored by Rep. Erin Sheehan (D-Biddeford), would allow certain young people to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy without parental consent. The other measure, LD 1735 introduced by Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono), would protect Maine health care providers who provide gender-affirming health care to young people from out of state.” [Maine Beacon, 5/16/23]
Democratic Lawmakers In Both Chambers Passed A Bill Allowing 16- and 17-year-olds To Receive Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. “Both houses of the Maine Legislature have now voted in favor of a bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy without parental consent under certain conditions. The Maine Senate voted 20-14 Tuesday, while the House of Representatives voted 73-60 in favor of the bill Monday. The bill requires final enactment votes in both chambers before being considered by Gov. Janet Mills. Under the bill sponsored by Rep. Erin Sheehan, D-Biddeford, teens at least 16 years old would be eligible to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy – not gender reassignment surgery – without parental consent if they are diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the condition where someone’s expressed gender identity is different from the gender assigned at birth for a sustained period of time.” [Portland Press Herald, 6/27/23]
Maryland
A Maryland House Committee Advanced The Trans Health Equity Act, A Bill That Would Require State Medicaid To Cover Gender-Affirming Treatment. “The Maryland House of Delegates’ Health and Operations Committee on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require the state’s Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming treatment for transgender people. House Bill 283, or the Trans Health Equity Act, passed by a 17-6 vote margin. The committee held a hearing on the measure last month. The Maryland Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 28 heard testimony on an identical measure that has been introduced in the state Senate.” [Washington Blade, 3/16/23]
The Trans Health Equity Act Was Passed By The Maryland Legislature. [Them, 3/22/23]
Maryland Medicaid Will Expand To Cover Gender-Affirming Care For Patients. [Associated Press, 3/30/23]
Michigan
Democratic Lawmakers In Both Chambers Passed Legislation To Add Protections For Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity To The ELCRA. “Michigan is poised to include gay and transgender residents among the protected groups of people under the state’s anti-discrimination law, the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, after the Democratic-led House voted to approve the changes. […] The 47-year-old civil rights law currently bars discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status. When Republicans controlled the Legislature for the past decade, some of their leaders balked about adding the protections unless religious freedom protections were added for those who opposed homosexuality.” [The Detroit News, 3/8/23; Michigan Legislature, SB0004, passed House 3/8/23]
The Governor Signed The Legislation. [Michigan Legislature, SB0004, approved by Governor 3/20/23]
House Democrats Passed The Michigan Hate Crimes Act, A Package Of Bills Expanding Who Is Protected Under The Law. “The Michigan House on Tuesday passed a package of bills to reclassify certain offenses as hate crimes and designate the defacement of synagogues, churches or cemeteries as a crime separate from ordinary destruction of property. The Michigan Hate Crime Act, which passed 59-50 in the Democratic-controlled House, would replace Michigan’s 1988 ethnic intimidation law so that more categories of people fall under the law’s protections. The law would expand to include protections based on sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or physical or mental disabilities. Religion, ethnicity, and race were already protected under the ethnic intimidation law and would continue to be protected under the hate crime act. The legislation also would expand which actions qualify as a hate crime, from threats or damage of property under the current law, to targeted force, intimidation, threats, bodily injury or damage of personal property.” [The Detroit News, 6/20/23; Michigan Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 4474-4477, Passed by the House, 6/20/23]
The Democrat-Controlled Michigan Legislature Moved To Add Hate Crime Protection For The LGBTQ+ Community. “State lawmakers are hoping to overhaul the ‘ethnic intimidation’ law that was put in place 35 years ago. […] Under the proposal, it would include a crime targeting members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, ethnicity and age.” [WILX 10, 4/26/23]
Republican Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Require Sporting Event Rankings And Awards To Be Awarded On The Basis Of “Biological Sex.” “Legislation in Michigan to require awards and results of athletic events be given ‘consistent with each competitor’s biological sex’ was sent to a legislative committee for consideration this week. A news release from bill sponsor state Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) said the legislation is meant to protect athletes in the state from being forced to compete against transgender individuals.” [Michigan Advance, 5/16/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Ban Conversion Therapy. “Michigan lawmakers introduced a package of bills Thursday that would prohibit conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth. […] The bills, SB 348, SB 349, HB 4616, and HB 4617, would prohibit state-licensed medical providers from performing conversion therapy on youth. They were introduced in the House and Senate by Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Reps Jason Hoskins and Felicia Brabec.” [Fox 2 Detroit, 5/18/23]
The HB 4616 and HB 4617 Passed In The Legislature. “Bills to ban the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ minors in Michigan will now advance to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for signature, after Senate Democrats passed the legislation Tuesday over Republican opposition. House Bills 4616 and 4617, introduced by Reps. Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, and Jason Hoskins, D-Southfield, ban licensed mental health professionals in Michigan from practicing conversion therapy on LGBTQ minors. Both bills passed 21-15, with Sen. Mark Huizenga, R-Walker, the lone GOP member to vote with Democrats in favor of each bill.” [Detroit Free Press, 6/28/23]
Gov. WhitmerSigned A Bill Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’ For Minors. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed two bills banning so-called conversion therapy, a scientifically discredited practice intended to change a person’s sexual orientation, for minors in the state, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. […] The governor’s approval of the measures makes Michigan the 22nd state to ban “conversion therapy,” according to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth.” [CNN, 7/27/23]
House Democrats Passed Legislation To Prohibit Denying Health Insurance On The Basis Of Gender Identity Or Expression Or Sexual Orientation. “State Representative Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, introduced House Bill 4619, which would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to potential customers on the basis of gender, gender expression or sexual orientation, on May 23. This expands upon Michigan’s current law that prohibits denying insurance based on race, sex, marital status or national origin.” [Michigan Daily, 5/30/23; Michigan Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 4619, Passed by the House 6/28/23]
House Democrats Passed A Bill To Expand Michigan Hate Crime Protections For The LGBTQ+ Community. “House Bill 4474 seeks to expand what constitutes as a hate crime in Michigan as it relates to real or perceived identifying characteristics including race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and more. The bill also outlines the punishments for such crimes. […] House Bill 4474 is among a package of bills that would expand Michigan’s current hate crime law to protect people based on their ‘sexual orientation,’ ‘gender identity or expression,’ ‘physical or mental disability,’ and ‘age.’” [ClickOn Detroit, 7/10/23; Michigan Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 4474, Passed by the House, 6/20/23]
Minnesota
The Minnesota House Passed A Bill To Ban Conversion Therapy For Minors. “The Minnesota House on Monday passed a bill to ban ‘conversion therapy’ for minors and vulnerable adults, a discredited practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill, introduced by Rep. Athena Hollins, DFL-St. Paul, passed 81-47. The companion bill will soon be up for a vote in the Senate, according to Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, the Senate bill’s chief author.” [Minnesota Reformer, 2/21/23]
House DFL Lawmakers Passed A Bill To Make Minnesota A Refuge For People Seeking Gender-Affirming Health Care That Was Authored By Minnesota’s First Trans Legislator, Rep. Leigh Finke.“Early Friday morning, lawmakers passed a bill at the state capitol that makes Minnesota a transgender refuge state. Debate on the measure took hours, with voting happening shortly before 5:30, more than five hours after it was introduced. The bill, whose chief author is DFL Rep. Leigh Finke, the state’s first openly transgender legislator, passed by a 68-62 vote, along party lines. Finke says the measure is meant to protect transgender people, their families and healthcare providers from legal repercussions if they travel to Minnesota to get gender affirming care. [KSTP, 3/24/23]
DFL Lawmakers In Both Chambers Passed The Bill. “Minnesota is poised to become a Midwest destination for people seeking abortions and gender-affirming health care, as some other states across the country restrict the procedures. Democrats in the state Senate passed a trio of progressive priorities Friday, including protections from legal repercussions and extradition orders for transgender people and their families traveling to Minnesota to receive gender-affirming care. […] The House has already approved the three proposals the Senate voted on Friday. The Senate bill sponsor said the abortion bill would be amended and sent back to the House for a final approval, but all of the measures are expected to be on DFL Gov. Tim Walz’s desk soon. The governor’s office said he will sign all three.” [Star Tribune, 4/21/23]
Missouri
The Republican-Led Legislature Passed Legislation To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Minors And Prohibit Transgender Athletes From Competing In Girls Sports In All Schools, Including Colleges. “Missouri lawmakers approved two bills Wednesday that ban gender-affirming health care for minors, and prevent transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams. But Kansas City was preparing to defy the state, with its City Council set to vote on creating a sanctuary for people seeking gender-affirming treatment. Transgender minors in Missouri would no longer have access to puberty blockers, hormones or gender-affirming surgery under one bill passed by the Republican-led House. The ban affects some adults — Medicaid health care won’t cover any gender-affirming care in the state, and surgery will no longer be available to prisoners and inmates. Another bill bans transgender student-athletes from joining girls’ and women’s teams from kindergarten through college, both at public and private schools. Schools that allow transgender girls and women to play on such teams would lose state funding.” [ABC News, 5/10/23]
Gov. Parson Signed Legislation Banning Gender-Affirming Care For Minors And Prohibiting Trans Women And Girls From Participating On Sports Teams That Align With Their Gender. “Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday signed into law two bills targeting the rights of transgender people in the state, including a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and a prohibition on trans women and girls from playing on sports teams that align with their gender.” [CNN, 6/7/23]
Montana
The Gov. Signed SB-99, A Bill Brought By Republican Lawmakers Which Bans Gender-Affirming Care For Minors. [SB-99, 2023 Regular Session, Signed 4/28/2023]
New Hampshire
Democrats Introduced Legislation To Protect Gender-Affirming Health Care. [HB-368, 23-24 General Session, 1/5/23]
The Bill Was Retained In Committee. [HB-368, 23-24 General Session, 1/5/23 ]
House Republicans Introduced A Bill That Would Prohibit Gender Affirming Health Care For Trans Youth, Prohibit The Use Of Students’ Preferred Gender Pronouns, And Alter The Definition Of Conversion Therapy. [HB-619, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
The Bill Was Retained In Committee. [HB-619, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
Republican Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Require All Multi-Stall School Bathrooms And Locker Rooms Be Same-Sex. [HB-104, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/4/23]
The Bill Was Tabled. [HB-104, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/4/23]
The Senate Passed A Parental Bill Of Rights Law, Which Would Require Schools To Disclose Changes To A Student’s Gender Identity to Parents. “The New Hampshire Senate passed a parental rights bill on party lines Thursday, sending to the House legislation that would require schools to disclose changes to a student’s gender identity if a parent asks. Senate Bill 272, which passed the Republican-led Senate on party lines, would help inform parents of a number of existing rights in their child’s school, including the right to opt their child out of sex education or specific instructional material, the right to inspect a school curriculum, and the right to exempt their child from vaccinations in certain conditions.” [New Hampshire Bulletin, 3/16/23]
SB-272 Was Postponed Indefinitely In The House. “A controversial parental rights bill will not be moving forward in New Hampshire after the House voted to postpone Senate Bill 272 indefinitely. The 195-190 vote followed a series of amendments that Republican lawmakers said fundamentally changed the bill.” [WMUR, 5/18/23]
A Group Of Lawmakers, Led By Representative Shaun Filiault (D), Introduced Legislation To Ban The“Gay Panic” Defense. “The so-called ‘gay panic’ defense is one step closer to being on its way out of New Hampshire after a House and Senate committee came up with a compromise on the bill. Lawmakers voted to make some changes to the language after concerns were raised last week about unintended consequences.” [WMUR, 6/22/23]
New Mexico
Name Change Legislation Introduced By Democratic Lawmakers Would Benefit The Trans Community. “Sponsored by House Rep. Christine Chandler, a Democrat from Albuquerque, HB 31 will, if enacted, eliminate from statute the requirement to place a public notice for 14 days in the local newspaper when a person seeks to change their name. The Legislature put the requirement into law decades ago and it was intended to prevent individuals from evading creditors. The law is now antiquated and it puts transgender individuals and survivors of domestic violence, assault and stalking in danger, advocates of the bill have said.” [NM Political Report, 2/4/23; HB-31, 2023 Regular Session 1/18/23]
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signed The Name Change Modernization Act Into law. “Officials with the office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Friday that she signed House Bill 31 the ‘Name Change Modernization Act’, and House Bill 207 the ‘Human Rights Act Expansion.’ […] This legislation aims to remove previous requirements, allowing a judge to grant the name change immediately rather than waiting for this ad to be placed along with receiving records from the local newspaper as proof. “Trans New Mexicans already face significant burdens in safety and financial hardship. Because of this new law, one of those is removed. It was dangerous to us to be “outed” in our communities in newspapers, and the cost in some communities was significant enough that many in our community couldn’t finish the name change process. ” [myhighplains.com, 3/24/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced The Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act. [HB-7, 2023 Regular Session, 1/25/23]
The Legislation Was Signed By The Governor On March 16, 2023. [HB-7, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/25/23]
House Democrats Passed Legislation To Expand The Scope Of The State’s Human Rights Act To Include Protections For The LGBTQ+ Community. “A bill to expand the scope of the New Mexico Human Rights Act to include protections for the LGBTQ community passed the House by 47-to-20. HB 207, Expand the Human Rights Act Scope, is sponsored by state Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos. It updates language in the state Human Rights Act to better reflect current language for the LGBTQ community and for the disabled community. The words ‘handicap’ would be replaced with ‘disability’ and the bill includes words ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity.’ It would also define the words ‘sex’ and ‘gender.’” [New Mexico Political Report, 3/4/23]
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signed Legislation Into Law That Will Expand Protections Against Discrimination For The LGBTQ+ Community. “Officials with the office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Friday that she signed House Bill 31 the ‘Name Change Modernization Act’, and House Bill 207 the ‘Human Rights Act Expansion.’ […] According to the release, House Bill 207 aims to create more protections for LGBTQ New Mexicans by expanding definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity and creating definitions of gender and sex.” [myhighplains.com, 3/24/23]
A Group Of Lawmakers, Led By Rep. Shaun Filiault (D), Introduced Legislation To Ban The“Gay Panic” Defense. “The so-called ‘gay panic’ defense is one step closer to being on its way out of New Hampshire after a House and Senate committee came up with a compromise on the bill. Lawmakers voted to make some changes to the language after concerns were raised last week about unintended consequences.” [WMUR, 6/22/23]
North Carolina
Senate Republicans Passed A Bill Banning Teaching About Sexuality And Gender Identity In Grades K-4, And Require Schools To Notify Parents If A Student Has A Name Or Pronoun Change. “The measure faced pushback since its introduction and right until the final vote, including from first-term State Senator Lisa Grafstein, who represents Wake County. ‘We all want to solve problems for our constituents, but first we should do no harm. This bill does harm. Full stop. If you’re thinking of voting yes, this is what I’m going to ask of you. Think ahead to tomorrow morning when you get up and look in the mirror, I want you to be sure to ask yourself this new. Will you be sure that you did no harm by passing this bill? That not one person will feel like they’re trapped and have no one to trust,’ said Grafstein, who highlighted she was the chamber’s lone LGBTQ+ member. Grafstein said there were more pressing matters that deserved attention, including regarding school safety, adding she has heard concerns from constituents regarding this bill.” [ABC 11, 2/7/23]
Gov. Cooper Vetoed The Bill. “Governor Cooper made the following statement on his veto of SB 49: ‘Parents are the most essential educators for their children and their involvement must be encouraged, but this bill will scare teachers into silence by injecting fear and uncertainty into classrooms. This ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill also hampers the important and sometimes lifesaving role of educators as trusted advisers when students have nowhere else to turn. The rights of parents are well established in state law, so instead of burdening schools with their political culture wars, legislators should help them with better teacher pay and more investments in students.’” [NC Governor Roy Cooper, Press Releases, 7/5/23]
The Republican-Supermajority In The Legislature Overrode Gov. Cooper’s Veto. “The North Carolina Legislature voted to successfully override six vetoes by Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday afternoon, putting the measures into law. One of those was Senate Bill 49, the Parents’ Bill of Rights. After the Senate voted to override, the House later overrode the veto of SB 49, enacting the Parents’ Bill of Rights into law.” [ABC11, 8/17/23]
Republican Lawmakers Passed Legislation To Make It Illegal For Anyone Under 18 To Recieve Gender-Affirming Care. “North Carolina lawmakers finalized legislation on Wednesday that would prohibit certain gender-affirming care for children and prevent state funds from being used to provide such therapies and procedures. The House voted 67-46 to accept a version of the measure approved by the Senate on Tuesday. The legislation would bar any medical professional from providing hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgical gender transition procedures to anyone under 18, with some medical exceptions.” [AP, 6/28/23]
Gov. Cooper Vetoed The Bill. “Cooper, in a statement announcing the action, accused GOP lawmakers of ‘scheming for the next election’ by ‘hurting vulnerable children’ and pushing ‘political culture wars.’ ‘A doctor’s office is no place for politicians, and North Carolina should continue to let parents and medical professionals make decisions about the best way to offer gender care for their children,’ Cooper said, referring to HB808, which would ban certain gender-affirming care for minors. ‘Ordering doctors to stop following approved medical protocols sets a troubling precedent and is dangerous for vulnerable youth and their mental health.’” [CNN, 7/5/23]
The Republican-Supermajority In The Legislature Overrode Gov. Cooper’s Veto. “Transgender youth in North Carolina lost access Wednesday to gender-affirming medical treatments after the Republican-led General Assembly overrode the governor’s vetoes of House Bill 808. GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate enacted — over Cooper’s opposition — a bill barring medical professionals from providing hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs and surgical gender-transition procedures to anyone under 18, with limited medical exceptions. The law takes effect immediately, but minors who had begun treatment before Aug. 1 may continue receiving that care if their doctors deem it medically necessary and their parents consent.” [WSOC, 8/17/23]
House Republicans Introduced HB673 To Criminalize Public Drag Performances. “A newly proposed North Carolina bill would make it illegal to perform a drag show in public or where a minor could see it. The drag bill, filed Tuesday, would group some “male or female impersonators” with exotic dancers and strippers under state law, prohibiting them from performing on public property or in the presence of minors. Performers could face felony charges after the first offense.” [WCNC, 4/18/23]
The GOP-Controlled North Carolina Legislature Passed A Ban On Transgender Athletes From Girls’ Sports Teams. “The Republican-controlled North Carolina state House gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would ban transgender girls and women from competing on middle school, high school and college sports teams that align with their gender identity. The state House voted 62-43, largely along party lines, to approve an amended version of the bill passed in the state Senate by a vote of 31-17 earlier this week. The measure now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, whose office slammed Republicans for ‘spending their time on political culture wars’ rather than ‘working to invest in our schools and pay our teachers more.’” [CNN, 6/22/23]
Gov. Cooper Vetoed The Bill. “Cooper also vetoed HB 574, which would ban transgender girls and women from competing on middle school, high school and college sports teams that align with their gender identity. The bill states that a “student’s sex shall be recognized based solely on the student’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth,” and would require sports teams to be designated as for males, men or boys; females, women or girls; or coed or mixed.” [CNN, 7/5/23]
The Republican-Supermajority In The Legislature Overrode Gov. Cooper’s Veto. “Both chambers also voted Wednesday to override Cooper’s veto of House Bill 574 banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams from middle and high school through college. It, too, immediately became law. Critics have said limits on transgender girls’ participation in sports were discriminatory and have called it a measure disguised as a safety precaution that would unfairly pick on a small number of students.” [WSOC, 8/17/23]
Ohio
Dual Bans On Transgender Sports And Health Care Pass The GOP-Controlled Ohio House. “The Ohio House sent to the Senate a bill that bans transgender females from participating in school sports and bars gender-affirming health care for minors. House Bill 68 passed 64 to 28, mostly along party lines. State Reps. Jamie Callender, of Concord, and Brett Hillyer, of Tuscarawas County, were the lone Republican votes against the bill. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.” [Cleveland.com, 6/21/23]
Pennsylvania
January 6th Insurrectionist Doug Mastriano Posted But Then Withdrew A Memorandum Proposing A Bill That Would Classify Drag Shows As An “Adult-Oriented Business.” [ABC27, 1/24/23]
Over A Dozen Republican Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Ban Certain Gender-Affirming Health Care Procedures For Minors. [HB 138, 2023 Regular Session, 3/8/23]
Republican Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Make School Sports Teams To be Expressly Designated Male, Female Or Coed. [HB 216, 2023 Regular Session, 3/8/23]
Republican Lawmakers Introduced The Parental Rights in Education Act, A Bill To Prohibit Instruction On Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Up to Fifth Grade. [HB 319. 2023 Regular Session, 3/13/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Push To Pass The Fairness Act, Legislation To Provide Non-Discrimination Protections For LGBTQ+ Individuals. “The Fairness Act — which seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity protections in housing, education, and public accommodations — was introduced in the state House on April 14. The prime sponsors of the bill, HB300, are state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel, and Latasha D. Mayes, all Allegheny County Democrats; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery.” [Pennsylvania Capitol Star, 4/17/23]
The Bill Passed In The Democratic-Controlled House. “The bill passed 102-98 in the House where Democrats have a razor-thin majority, becoming the first of its kind to see a floor vote. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said he supports it.” [6 ABC, 5/3/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Expand The Definition Of A Hate Crime To Include Those Targeting Someone Because Of Their Sexual Or Gender Identity. “State lawmakers unveiled legislation Monday in hopes of better protecting Pennsylvanians targeted by hate. […] Frankel said it’s time to expand the definition of hate crimes in Pennsylvania to include the targeting of someone based on gender or sexual identity or whether they have a disability.” [WGAL 8, 4/24/23]
Texas
The GOP-Controlled Legislature Passed A “Drag Ban Bill.” “A bill that bans ‘sexually oriented performances’ in the presence of minors passed during Texas’ 88th legislative session. Now, transgender Texans worry the bill might target them for non-explicit performances — or for merely existing in public spaces. The initial version of Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB 12) originally included a penalty for performers who wear clothing that doesn’t conform to traditional gender presentation and was called a “drag ban bill” by conservative politicians.” [abc27.com, 6/3/23]
The GOP-Controlled Legislature Banned Gender-Affirming Care For Minors, Joining 18 States That Have Enacted Similar Bans. “Texas has become the most populous state to ban gender-affirming care for minors after Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation on Friday. Texas joined at least 18 other states that have enacted similar bans. Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year.” [abc27.com, 6/3/23]
Virginia
The Republican-Majority Virginia House Passed A Bill To Ban Trans Girls From Playing On School Sports Teams. [HB 1387, 2023 Legislative Session, accessed 2/7/23]
A Democratic-Majority Senate Committee Killed HB 1387. [ACLU of Virginia, Twitter, 2/16/23]
The Republican-Majority Virginia House Passed A Bill To Require Schools To Notify A Parent If A Student Identified As A Gender Different From Their Sex At Birth. HB 2432, 2023 Legislative Session, accessed 2/27/23]
A Democratic-Majority Senate Committee Killed HB 2432. [ACLU of Virginia, Twitter, 2/16/23]
A Republican Senator Introduced SB 791, Which Would Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures For Anyone Under 18. [SB 791, 2023 Legislative Session, accessed 2/27/23]
The Democratic-Majority Virginia Senate Approved A Resolution To Repeal A Constitutional Amendment That Defined Marriage As Between A Man And A Woman. “The Virginia Senate on Monday approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The resolution that state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced passed by a 25-14 vote margin. The openly gay Alexandria Democrat in a tweet noted Republicans supported it.” [Washington Blade, 2/6/23]
A House Subcommittee Voted To Kill The Resolution. [Graham Moomaw, Twitter, 2/17/23]
Virginia’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban Would Become Operative Again If The Supreme Court Reversed Obergefell v. Hodges. “At the same time, the Republican House this year killed measures to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution. The ban, which voters approved in a 2006 referendum, has been defunct since the Supreme Court legalized those unions nationwide in 2015, but would become operative again if the court were to reverse itself.” [Washington Post, 2/25/23]
The Democratic-Majority Virginia Senate Approved A Bill To Affirm Marriage Equality In State Law. “The Virginia Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would affirm marriage equality in state law. State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria)’s Senate Bill 1096 passed by a 25-12 vote margin.” [Washington Blade, 1/24/23]
The Republican-Majority House Did Not Take Action On The Bill. [SB 1093, 2023 Legislative Session, accessed 2/27/23]
Wisconsin
Republican Lawmakers Introduced A Bill That Would No Longer Allow The State Licensing Board To Bar Therapists From Attempting To Change A Person’s Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity Through What’s Known As “Conversion Therapy.” [AB-3, 2023 Regular Session, 2/6/2023]
Republican Lawmakers Voted To Block The Governor From Enacting A Ban On Conversion Therapy. “The Wisconsin Legislature took the final step needed on March 22 to stop Gov. Tony Evers’ administration from enacting a ban on the discredited practice known as conversion therapy. Republicans who control the state Senate voted over the objections of Democrats to effectively allow therapists and others to attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” [PBS, 3/22/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced A Bill Proclaiming March 31, 2023, as Wisconsin’s Transgender Day of Visibility. [SJR-15, 2023 Regular Session, 3/8/23]
GOP Lawmakers Said They Will Introduce Legislation To Ban Transgender Athletes From Competing In Girls Or Women’s Sports. “Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says Republicans will likely reintroduce legislation that would ban transgender athletes in Wisconsin from competing in girls or women’s sports. […] The public push would mirror other legislation in Republican-controlled statehouses nationwide. Last session, Assembly Republicans passed a proposed ban that would have included both public and private K-12 schools along with University of Wisconsin campuses and technical colleges. The bill didn’t make it out of the state Senate.” [WISN 12 News, 5/9/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Remove The ‘Gay Panic’ Defense From Being Admitted In Criminal Trials. “On the Democratic side, a new bill this session would seek to eliminate so-called gay panic defenses from use in trials. Under the bill, criminal defendants could not make an “insanity plea” for their crimes, if they argue they did those crimes in a state of “panic” from finding out someone is gay or trans. The bill is currently waiting for a hearing to be scheduled.” [Channel3000.com, 5/31/23]
Republican Lawmakers Re-Introduced Legislation To Create A Three Category System For All School Sports. “Republican lawmakers have reintroduced a bill that would require student athletes to play on the team that aligns with their biological sex or join a separate co-ed team. ‘What this legislation seeks to do is make a place for everyone,’ Rep. Barbara Dittrich (R) said. Dittrich proposed the same bill, the ‘Save Women’s Sports Act,’ in 2021. It was shot down last session, but Dittrich and co-sponsor Sen. Dan Knodl reintroduced it on Wednesday.” [ABC 27 WKOW, 7/13/23]
Washington
A Measure Passed By The Washington House Would Block Courts And Law Enforcement In The State From Aiding Other States’ Investigations Into Patients Who Travel To Washington For Gender-Affirming Care. “While politicians in some states are working to limit gender-affirming care for transgender young people, Washington state’s legislature is going in the opposite direction. […] A measure that has passed the Washington House would block courts and law enforcement in the state from aiding other states’ investigations into patients who travel to Washington for gender-affirming care. Another bill would prevent doctors from facing disciplinary consequences in Washington if they provide gender-affirming care in violation of other states’ laws.” [Axios, 3/28/23]
The Democrat-Led Washington Legislature Sent A Bill To The Governor’s Desk That Would Protect Patients Traveling To Washington For Gender-Affirming Health Care. [HB-1469, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/20/23]
