Blaque/OUT News Round/Up
TENNESSEE
The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a bill on 2/19 that allows private citizens and organizations to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. House Bill 1473, doesn’t disallow same-sex marriages but legally establishes that people outside of government don’t have to recognize same-sex marriages. The legislation is now goes to the Senate for debate, possible committee and an eventual vote if enough opposition doesn’t stall it out. This bill is dangerous for several reasons:
People in same-sex marriages can be denied service or access in hospital, business or community settings
This legislation could be used as precedent to deny rights for other marginalized couples like immigrants and interracial marriages.
Although this law only would apply to Tennessee residents, it could set the blueprint for other states to follow with similar legislation.
Breakdown: Just like in the Federal government there are 4 branches of government in the state. The House, the Senate, the Executive branch (Governor or President for example) and the People. This bill passed the House but still has to get through the senate and be signed into law. There will be challenges and opposition in the senate. It will take time and convincing. It is crucial for the people to show up to make their opposition loud and present prior to that vote. Write, call and visit you senators to let them know you don’t want this. A quick google search can tell you who your representative is and how to contact them.
KANSAS
The Kansas state government will invalidate close to 2,000 birth certificates and driver’s licenses as of today belonging to Trans Kansans. This new law will require residents to change their gender identification to the sex they were assigned at birth, and also bans residents from changing their gender on those documents in the future. Those that are covered under this new law will receive a letter in the mail and be advised to go to a licensing office in person to pay $26 to recieve a new identification with their gender identity standards. The law also restricts access to bathrooms and locker rooms.
What’s Next: Trans residents of Kansas are actively losing agency and justice here. However, there will inevitably be lawsuits that challenge the legislation. Expect litigation out of the ACLU early March.
CALIFORNIA
President Trump’s executive order has threatened funding to medical establishments that continue to provide gender affirming care, specifically those serving youth. Despite questions of the constitutionality of such threats, many cities and states around the nation are backing off of providing those services. In response, California judge, Matthew Braner ruled to require Rady Children’s Health in San Diego to continue to provide gender affirming care to youth, extending a temporary restraining order by 15 days.
What Does This Mean: The Trump administration outlined a firm stance on ending Trans Affirming Care in his recent state of the union address indicating there will be no let up on these attacks on medical access. However, there continue to be wins in the judicial challenges waged by national organizations like the ACLU, NAACP and Transgender Law Center.
FEDERAL
Feb 25th House Republicans introduced HR 7661, a federal bill that mirrors the Florida, “Don’t Say Gay” Bill introduced in 2022. The bill bans all federally funded K-12 schools from “developing, implementing, facilitating, hosting, or promoting anything” that “includes sexually oriented material”, with “sexually oriented material” being defined to include anything “involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism”. The regulations would govern curriculum, class lessons as well as prohibiting related educational materials and support groups. Some of the secret power and destructiveness of this type of legislation is its vague language and broad sweeps. Similar legislation forced teachers into the closet in fear of their jobs being in danger, and limited teachers and schools ability to create supportive spaces for Queer and Trans youth.
What’s Next: The bill was proposed in the House and has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce where it will be discussed and amendments proposed. If it reaches a point of approval, it will go to a full House vote. If passed, it will move to the Senate. However Republicans are narrowly holding on to their majority which will be necessary to pass this piece of legislation. National polling continues to indicate there is not support for Anti-LGBTQ legislation. This bill includes book bans, teachers union issues and transphobic and homophobic themes which means orgs representing each of these groups will be campaigning hard to block its passage. Contact your state representatives and let them know you do not support this legislation and connect with orgs that fight for literacy and LGBTQ advocacy to join in the fight.