A lot has happened over the past several months. I had intention of blogging about politics especially all the anti-LGBTQIA bills in Texas alone that were proposed this legislative session. But I got busy. I got involved with other LGBTQIA+ organizations, protests, parades and groups. I found that actually acting and helping was one of the best things I could do, not only for myself but for others.
But I do want to mention what we have seen this past few months, over 140 bills have been proposed in Texas that are anti-LGBTQIA bills in nature & while most were defeated, 57 remain at the time of this writing. (3) What is worse, is a majority of these bills are built on misguided information & opinions, not facts and even worse, these laws create violence a mistrust among the general public. Eight in ten adults are afraid to leave their homes for fear of being physically assaulted. (1) This has prompted the Human Rights Campaign issued a state of Emergency. Don’t even get me started of Florida. I won’t be visiting Florida anytime soon. The stat is even higher for people not feeling safe in that state. Which is sad. I know a lot of people in that state. I even have family there. I got married there. I proposed there. I’ve had some of my best memories there (Disney). It heartbreaking to see what the governor had done to that state. So sad. Unfortunately, Texas is not too far behind.
S.B. 14 was signed into law on June 1st & is supposed to take effect Sept 1st which aims to prohibit essential and life-saving medical treatment for transgender youth in Texas. It would also cease access to care for minor adolescents who are currently undergoing treatment, and demand the state to cancel the medical licenses of doctors offering the quality care to their transgender patients. (2) This includes therapy sessions… This simple does not make sense to me. Because if we look at the facts, the actual, scientific proof, that is back by countless studies,(2) is the exact opposite of what medical studies and scientific proof suggest. Adolescents do not receive surgeries to align with their identity, at least it isn't considered until the age of 16 or 17 and it is only under special circumstances. (6) It blows my mind that people just assume what they hear is fact and act as sheep and continue their life without even questioning anything. The one thing that really gets me under this bill... If a child is born intersex, and for example, they are born with a penis & uterus, the parents can choose to remove either under this bill. So hold up... you are against providing therapy for trans youth and hormone blockers which is a choice, but you will allow a A BABY to undergo surgery to align with the sex you think your child will be (or want your child to be) and by which is not their choice? Wow. How screwed-up is that?
S.B. 12 is another bill that is supposed to go in effect of Sept 1st. It focuses the prohibition of performances that might be interpreted as "sexual," and suggests legal consequences, including potential imprisonment of up to one year, for artists and their supporters involved in such performances. The problem with this bill is that it is so incredibly broad that it is going to hurt a lot of people with the concept someone might interpret the act as sexual even though it’s not Let me put this in other terms. If someone were to dress up in a cheerleader outfit and go cheer for their partner of a sport they are playing. And their outfit literally covers from neck to toe, so nothing is showing. It could be interpreted as sexual and I they be in prison for up to a year. People come on.. this is stupid. Hooters has more revealing clothing as would be considered far more sexual than this. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how this law will be abused and will be used to incite violence.
Under S.B. 17, universities will be compelled to shut down their diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. These offices have become a common feature on campuses nationwide, aiming to enhance faculty diversity and support the academic achievement of students from diverse backgrounds. The proposed legislation would additionally prohibit obligatory diversity training and impose limitations on hiring departments, preventing them from requesting diversity statements — essays in which job applicants express their dedication to fostering diverse educational environments. (4)(5) Basically, all those years we spent making progress to create diversity in our universities is being thrown out the window.
Lastly there are lot of people and large human right groups suing the state of Texas for these stupid bills and hopefully an injunction will be placed in a timely fashion.
I am Intersex, I am Here & I will Fight.
Sources:
1: https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/new-data-as-far-right-extremist-politicians-escalate-attacks-on-transgender-healthcare-nearly-8-in-10-lgbtq-americans-report-increased-fears-for-personal-safety-further-intensifying-an-already-dangerous-state-of-emergency
2: https://www.aclutx.org/en/news/5-things-know-about-our-lawsuit-defending-medical-care-trans-youth
3: https://www.equalitytexas.org/legislature/legislative-bill-tracker-2023/
4: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/texas-senate-dei-universities/
5: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB17
6: https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-transgender-surgery-medicine-legislation-lgbtq-491630629027
