Examining the Impact of Bills Against LGBTQ+ Community: A Growing Threat

As a personal injury firm, staying informed about the issues affecting our clients and the communities we serve is important. One issue that has been particularly concerning is the growing number of bills proposed against the LGBTQ+ community.

Are you aware of the 417 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures since the beginning of 2023? This number is near twice the number of bills proposed last year. The only light at the end of the tunnel is 91% of the bills proposed in the previous year failed to become law. But this still can’t be considered a victory. It clearly shows the legislature is against these brave individuals of the LGBTQ+ community. Meaning it will continue with gender identity discrimination of members of this community.

These bills aim to target various aspects of LGBTQ+ rights. These include limiting transgender youth’s access to gender-affirming healthcare, regulating school curricula around gender identity and sexuality, and requiring teachers to out transgender students to their parents without their consent.

Now, we’ll further expound on the magnitude of this problem and examine the effects of these bills on the LGBTQ+ community. 

Bills going against the LGBTQ+ community: What are they?

At least 11 states have signed into law 24 bills against the LGBTQ+ community, most of which affect trans people. More of these bills have been proposed in other states, and there is a possibility they’ll be passed.

The Georgia House recently passed the SB 140 bill, which prohibits medical practitioners from administering hormone treatments to persons under 18 and performing some transgender care surgeries. Any health practitioners violating this legislation will have their licenses revoked. A similar bill has already been passed in states such as Arkansas, South Dakota, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

Another bill passed was Senate Bill 1100 in Idaho, which restricts transgender students from accessing public bathrooms that don’t align with their birth-assigned gender. The bill, which will take effect on 1st July, will require any sex-segregated facility to be labeled “male or female.” Students will be allowed to sue the state, in which they’ll be compensated if they feel their school has violated this legislation — Iowa and Arkansas have also signed a similar bill.

Transgender youth in Wyoming were recently hugely affected by the bill, which prevents them from participating in girls’ or women’s sports. Joining 18 states which have passed this bill, Wyoming is following this path of discrimination. This clearly goes against the basic principles of human equality.

The state of Tennessee passed Senate Bill 3, which will impose a ban on drag shows, and took effect at the beginning of this month. The bill banned public performances of drag shows, deemed “adult-oriented performances,” especially in the presence of minors. Human Rights groups have hugely fought this move, as it is seen as an attack on the freedom of speech of the LGBTQ+ community.

All these bills indicate a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the United States. These bills have led to significant setbacks for the transgender community. They range from restricting access to healthcare for trans youth to banning drag shows and violating fundamental human rights. They are an apparent attack on the freedom of expression and identity of the LGBTQ+ community. With more bills proposed in other states, individuals and organizations must continue to fight discrimination. Moreover, they need to work towards creating a more inclusive society for all.

The effects of bills going against the LGBTQ+

Bills against the LGBTQ+ community can have far-reaching and damaging effects. These bills can increase discrimination and marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender individuals. Other effects include the following:

Psychological and emotional harm

These debates on bills against the LGBTQ+ community have taken an enormous toll on transgender youth. At least 86% claim to be negatively affected, based on a poll by the Trevor Project. These bills can lead to a surge in feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, increasing the risk of self-harm. The limited access to healthcare, public restrooms, and sports teams can create a sense of invalidation and marginalization. It can contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt. Affected youth should seek help from registered mental health specialists or counselors.

Promotes discrimination based on sexual orientation

The First Amendment banned discrimination based on sex by public schools. These new laws, however, promote this discrimination against trans people and non-binary people. They limit them to using bathrooms aligned to their birth-assigned genders. Laws such as the one passed in Idaho and Iowa are good examples. These issues need to be addressed and justice be served, as this is unfair treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Supporting the LGBTQ+ community: How you can make a difference

If you’ve ever wondered how you could be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, you are not alone. It is a question many have asked themselves to understand and care for this ever-growing community.

Educating yourself and others is the best way to make a difference on issues related to the queer community. Doing this can be a powerful way to make a positive difference in the community. By learning about the unique experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, you can gain a greater understanding and appreciation of their perspectives and needs. This, in turn, can help you become more informed and empathetic toward them. Moreover, it will enable you to advocate more effectively for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ people.

In conclusion, the increasing number of bills proposed against the LGBTQ+ community is a growing concern, with many already signed into law in various states. The psychological and emotional harm caused by these bills cannot be ignored. Individuals and organizations must continue to fight discrimination and work towards creating a more inclusive society for all. Educating yourself and others on issues related to the LGBTQ+ community is a powerful way to make a positive difference and become more informed and empathetic.

Contact us for any legal support if you or someone you know is affected by recent bills that go against the LGBTQ+ community.

Charles Bennett

Charles Bennett is a Plaintiff’s trial attorney and trial consultant based in Dallas, Texas. His law firm, Bennett Injury Law, is a personal injury plaintiff’s law firm that specializes in 18-Wheeler and Commercial crashes, Wrongful Death, Traumatic Brain Damage, Motor Vehicle Crashes, and Workplace Injuries. Cases Charles has consulted on in 2019 have won over $35M in verdicts.