Trashy and dangerous move - SC legislators pass bill banning gender-affirming care. Bill also outs trans kids to parents.

I am completely disappointed, but not surprised that legislators in my state would pass such a dangerous bill. But it's not over. NOT by a longshot. Like I told a friend of mine when this initially passed, we are just in the first inning.

South Carolina has passed a gender-affirming care ban. Here's what families can do​ - Completely ridiculous. They did this after lots of people came out to testify against it. They only had one person testifying for it and he did it via video. A complete stunt. But our community will prevail. 

After originating in the state Senate, H.4624 now heads to Republican Gov. Henry McMaster for his signature. The bill prohibits youth under the age of 18 in the state from receiving all medically necessary transgender health care, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery. It also prohibits public funds and Medicaid from being used to cover the cost of transition-related healthcare for transgender people of any age. 

In response, the Campaign for Southern Equality has announced that families of transgender youth in South Carolina are now eligible to apply for support from the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project (STYEP), a regional project that helps transgender youth whose access to gender-affirming care has been disrupted by government policies.

 “South Carolina lawmakers have turned their backs on transgender youth and passed this dangerous bill, which will needlessly and cruelly disrupt the lives of trans people in our state," said Domenico Ruggerio, Executive Director of We Are Family. "But our community is prepared to support families through this crisis – and we’ll never stop working toward a state where transgender and gender nonconforming people in South Carolina can be themselves and live with peace and power.” 

South Carolina will soon ban gender-affirming & out trans kids to their parents - More details about this awful bill. 

 The bill forbids public funding, including Medicaid, from being used “directly or indirectly” for gender-affirming care. This provision may face an immediate challenge since the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes South Carolina, ruled in April that government- and state-funded health care and insurance plans cannot exclude coverage for gender-affirming medical care, The Hill reported.

 The bill also requires school principals and counselors to notify parents if a child indicates in any way that their gender identity doesn’t match the sex they were assigned at birth. This provision will make trans, nonbinary, and gender-fluid students less likely to seek help from trusted adults in schools, leaving them without any adult support if their parents disapprove of their gender identity. 

 In January, Gov. McMaster called the bill “a good idea,” adding, “If they wanna make those decisions later when they’re adults then that’s a different story, but we must prevent our young people from making irreversible errors.” Several studies have shown that most people who receive gender-affirming healthcare do not regret it. 

 A March 2024 poll found that 71% of South Carolina voters felt that the government should not intervene in LGBTQ gender-affirming healthcare decisions that regard individuals under the age of 18.

Judge throws out lawsuit against school by mother who claimed it encouraged and hid her teen's gender expression

From The Associated Press:

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Maine woman who accused school officials of encouraging her teen’s gender expression by providing a chest binder and using a new name and pronouns, without consulting parents. 

 U.S. District Judge Jon Levy acknowledged his decision that a mother such as Amber Lavigne “might expect school officials to keep her informed about how her child is navigating matters related to gender identity” but he concluded that she failed to establish legal claims for which the school district could be held liable. The lawsuit filed last year was the latest to weigh a minor’s right to privacy when confiding in a mental health professional against a parent’s right to supervise their children’s health and education. 

 

 LGBTQ Nation provides details about the failed lawsuit: 

 The mother, Amber Lavigne, filed a lawsuit in April of last year against the school for allegedly violating her rights as a parent. She said that she found a chest binder in her 13-year-old child’s room and that her child said they got it from a social worker at school. Lavigne said administrators did not inform her that her child was given a chest binder and that they were going by a different name and pronouns at school. 

She met with school employees who said that their policy on transgender students is in line with state law. She sued, saying the school had a policy “of intentionally withholding and concealing certain information from parents” that was unconstitutional, but the evidence didn’t show that that was the policy, according to the judge. 

 According to the recently retired Chief U.S. District Judge Jon Levy, none of the claims cited within the lawsuit indicated that the school violated any laws. “It is understandable that a parent, such as Lavigne, might expect school officials to keep her informed about how her child is navigating matters related to gender identity at school,” said Levy in the ruling. “Her Complaint, however, fails to plead facts which would, if proven, establish municipal liability… based on an unwritten custom, ratification by a final policymaker, or failure to train.” 

 The guidelines imposed by the district allow for parents to learn of their child’s gender identity, and they oppose keeping secrets. Lavigne reportedly only identified a single instance of this being violated – not enough to hold the school liable, Levy says.

Video: Top 20 LGBTQ+ Couples on Animated Shows

 

 This was done 10 months ago, but I saw it only recently and it made me think.

 I'm 53 years-old, so I remember a time before Ellen or Will & Grace or having an openly gay member of the Presidential cabinet. I remember when my local tv station pre-empted a movie called Making Love because of the gay storyline. I remember when someone being openly gay for talk show fodder for days. And I remember "special episodes" of television show which featured a gay friend of the main character, and the plot was generally about him or her coming out and how the main character had to deal with it.  These episodes generally had a happy ending, but it still didn't feel right.

So, this video above is nice. It's a definite reminder of where we came from and how hard we fought to get here.

Arizona Republicans furious about Drag Queen Story Hour event in which no children were in attendance

The lies that Drag Queen Story Hour and drag queens in general are integral in some plot to "sexualize" or "trans" kids is a lie. We all knew this from the beginning. A recent incident at the Arizona State Capitol puts an exclamation point to that declaration.

Check out the tweet courtesy of Arizona Republicans:

⚠️ WARNING: THIS CONTENT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.

Arizona Democrat lawmakers teamed up with Planned Parenthood to host ‘Drag Story Hour’ at the Capitol to encourage parents to transition their kids. This is ahead of LGBTQ+ YOUTH Day at the Capitol tomorrow.

Your… pic.twitter.com/4qpS6lj4Gb

— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) April 30, 2024

 

The hysterical narrative is that stuff like this is a way of supposedly "sexualizing" or "transing" kids. That in itself is ridiculous, but The Arizona Central also adds more details which underscores the inanity of the claim.

Opinion: Arizona Republicans are scandalized over a 'drag story hour' in the House basement. Quick, grab the smelling salts. https://t.co/XIsFChTPTt

— azcentral (@azcentral) May 2, 2024

From The Arizona Central:

 On Tuesday, the Arizona Legislature was, as usual, not working, and so the Arizona LGBTQ+ Caucus met in the House basement for a “drag story hour.” There were no children present, according to Rep. Lorena Austin, D-Mesa, who organized the event in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. There was nothing sexually explicit or even vaguely provocative, based upon videos posted to social media. Just a person dressed in makeup, a sparkly suit and what looked to be a rather cool hat that Zorro would have totally worn, reading a story to adults about issues confronting the LGBTQ+ community. 

 To reiterate, there was nothing scandalous or sexual about this event. And not only that, NO children were in attendance anyway. 

 But in terms of hypocrisy, the situation gets funnier. While Republicans are all "in the vapors" about the Drag Queen Story Hour event, they said nothing when several weeks ago, other Republicans held a prayer circle on the Senate floor. These folks even knelt on the state seal as one of them spoke in tongues:

So this happened today at the #AZLeg. 🫠🫠🫠#Arizona #AZSenate #AZSupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/g2LVL41UWk

— Jeanne Casteen (@JeanneCasteen) April 8, 2024

Hat tip to JoeMyGod, which recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary. Thank you for your service to the community, Joe Jervis!!!

Detransitioner must pay $40,00 for frivolous lawsuit, United Methodists repeals ban on LGBTQ clergy, & other midweek news briefs

Detransitioner Soren Aldaco Must Pay $40,000 for Frivolous Lawsuit​ - Certain people, including certain "journalists," attacking gender-affirming healthcare probably don't want you to know this bit of information: 

 The judge in a prominent detransitioner lawsuit in Texas has dismissed part of the case with prejudice and ordered the plaintiff, Soren Aldaco, to pay the attorney fees for some of her former providers, as first reported on Twitter by Assigned Media contributor Julie Rei Goldstein. 

A visual history of lesbian activism from around the world: 58 images of dyke marches- Handle your business, ladies. 

United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy - This is a wonderful bit of news. 

Ben Shapiro tried to use Jason Collins’ coming out in his anti-gay campaign. It hasn’t worked. - A nice flashback reminding us all how useless Ben Shapiro is. 

GOP speaker issues absurd punishment to Arizona Dems for hosting a Drag Story Hour - Oh COME ON, guy!! 

Ohio judge extends temporary restraining order that blocks ban on gender-affirming care for minors - This post began with good news for the transgender community. Let's end it the same way.

Kansas lawmakers fail to override veto of bill banning healthcare for trans kids, two anti-trans bills fail in Mississippi

It was a good Monday and Tuesday for the transgender community. 

Yesterday an hour after I posted about the victory in federal court, news came down that Kansas lawmakers failed to override Governor Laura Kelly's veto on an anti-trans healthcare bill. The bill would have banned gender-affirming are for trans minors. And central to the story is one Republican, who initially supported the bill, changing her vote.

From Michigan Live:

In a dramatic shift, the Kansas legislature failed to override Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. Two Republican lawmakers unexpectedly broke ranks, leading to a major victory for LGBTQ+ advocates and securing access to essential medical care for trans youth in the state.

 The legislation, Senate Bill 233, would have prohibited medical professionals from providing treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender youth. It also aimed to bar state employees from promoting social transitioning for children questioning their gender identity. 

 Governor Kelly vetoed the bill in March, citing its dangerous intrusion into the doctor-patient relationship and the well-being of transgender Kansans. The veto override seemed poised for success, until Representatives Susan Concannon and Jesse Borjon voted against the measure. 

 Rep. Concannon, previously a supporter of the bill, delivered a powerful speech: “We hear of bullying and ask authorities to make it stop. We hear about mental health, about suicide, and ask why. We’re not listening to the impacted youth. Government involvement is not the answer...These decisions belong between the team of professionals and the parents. The youth need our help, not government overreach. For all those who reached out, I hear you, and vote to sustain the governor’s veto.”

And just now as I was working on the above post, this news came from The Associated Press:

Mississippi's Republican-led Legislature will not take final votes on two bills that attempted to restrict legal recognition of transgender people. The bills died quietly when House and Senate leaders failed to agree on compromise versions before a Monday night deadline. Lawmakers were working on several other complex issues at the time.

 One bill would have restricted transgender people’s use of bathrooms and locker rooms in public buildings, including university dormitories. The other would have specified that sex is defined at birth, and that “there are only two sexes, and every individual is either male or female.” 

 SuperTalk- Mississippi Media added: 

 In an attempt to restrict transgender people’s use of bathrooms and locker rooms in public buildings, Republican Sen.Josh Harkins authored the Securing Areas for Females Effectively and Responsibly (SAFER) Act. The legislation deemed it necessary to provide male and female areas for each sex’s exclusive use. Lawmakers on the GOP side quickly voiced their support for the bill following an incident at a Planet Fitness gym in Alaska in which a transgender individual identifying as a woman was spotted on video shaving in the women’s locker room.

 . . . The SAFER Act became a national movement as it was backed by Paula Scanlan, a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer who has made waves along with fellow athlete Riley Gaines. Scanlan even made a trip to the Magnolia State to advocate for the bill to create “safe spaces” for women. Nonetheless, the bill, which received pushback from Democratic lawmakers, failed to survive Monday’s deadline and will not make it to the desk of Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.

Federal court rules that state healthcare plans can't deny gender-affirming care to trans individuals

A wonderful bit of news just came from the courts on Monday for the transgender community.

From MetroWeekly:

A federal appeals court ruled that states can’t deny insurance coverage for gender-affirming medical care to transgender individuals. The full panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of transgender plaintiffs in two cases from North Carolina and West Virginia, finding that existing insurance exclusions on gender-affirming care are discriminatory and unconstitutional. 

 Lawyers for the plaintiffs noted that this most recent ruling sets precedent, not only for North Carolina and West Virginia, but all other states within the 4th Circuit, including South Carolina, where state officials are considering a ban on gender-affirming care for minors — one of the few Southern states without a ban currently in place. 

 “The court’s decision sends a clear message that gender-affirming care is critical medical care for transgender people and that denying it is harmful and unlawful,” Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, counsel and health care strategist for Lambda Legal, said in a statement. The plaintiffs celebrated the appeals court’s ruling as a victory for transgender people.

 . . .In 2020, Lambda Legal, together with employment attorney firm Nichols Kaster, PLLP, and The Employment Law Center, PLLC, filed a lawsuit against West Virginia officials on behalf of a Medicaid participant, Christopher Fain, who was denied coverage for gender confirmation surgery. That same lawsuit also previously challenged a similar exclusion contained in West Virginia’s state employee health insurance plan on behalf of two state employees who could not obtain coverage for gender-affirming treatments, either for themselves or their dependents.

Lambda Legal subsequently added additional transgender plaintiffs to the case, including Shauntae Anderson. The state employee plaintiffs’ claims were eventually resolved by a 2022 settlement with The Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc., which removed its exclusion on gender-affirming care. The lawsuit subsequently resumed, challenging only the Medicaid exclusion.