HRC declares state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans
Image: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Yesterday, the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest gay rights organization, declared a state of emergency for all LGBTQ+ people living in the US. It marks the first time the org has made such a warning in its 43-year history.
⏩ Driving the move... In a press release, the HRC said its declaration came in response to an "unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year."
The organization cited 525 bills it classifies as anti-LGBTQ+ that have been introduced across 41 different state legislatures so far in 2023.
- These include 220 pieces of legislation explicitly targeting transgender people, as well as dozens of bills that would ban LGBTQ+ content in schools, outlaw drag performances, and exclude LGBTQ+ folks from non-discrimination laws, among other things.
- A total of 76 such bills have been signed into law this year, per HRC data. That figure is more than double the amount enacted in all of 2022, which was previously the highest year on record.
Alongside its declaration, the HRC also released a guidebook for LGBTQ+ Americans that includes health and safety resources, a summary of state-by-state laws, and “know your rights” information for those traveling to or living in states with restrictive laws.
⚖️ Judicial review: Over the past week, a pair of federal court rulings have halted the enactment of two such anti-LGBTQ+ laws cited by the HRC.
- A federal judge on Saturday ruled that Tennessee’s recently-enacted ban on drag shows in public or where children are present is unconstitutional.
- And yesterday, a separate federal judge temporarily blocked the portion of a new Florida law that bans transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers or other non-surgical forms of gender-affirming care.
📊 Flash poll: In general, do you agree with the Human Rights Campaign’s declaration that the recent spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation represents a state of emergency for all LGBTQ+ Americans?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the recent spike in anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures is because conservative politicians need a new “boogeyman” to rally voters after SCOTUS recently overturned Roe v. Wade.
- Others contend that LGBTQ+ Americans can stand up to unfair discrimination by suing to block states from enacting such legislation, and by voting for new politicians who don’t hold discriminatory beliefs.
- “There’s a reason for the anti-LGBTQ+ backlash. And it isn’t all bad news” –Robin Acarian, LA Times
- “How to stop bullies who insist on enforcing the gender binary” –Kate Cohen, WaPo
- “Kansas and Missouri lead the US in GOP anti-LGBT laws. Don’t despair” –Kansas City Star Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that public polling shows a majority of Americans agree on several pieces of legislation HRC describes as “anti-LGBTQ+,” including many transgender restrictions and bans on LGBTQ+ content for minors.
- Others contend that the recent spike in so-called “anti-LGBTQ+” bills represents a backlash from the American public against the widely promoted LGBTQ+ agenda and some of its more outlandish ideas.
- “Here’s How Americans Really Feel About LGBTQ Issues” –Alison Durkee, Forbes
- “Told you so: Conservatives have warned over and over where LGBTQ narrative will lead” –Everett Piper, Washington Times
- “The Left has pushed the envelope” –Victor Davis Hanson, Las Vegas Journal-Review
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