Warning: While some of the following stories describe legislative actions to celebrate and affirm LGBTQ+ people, many cover legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and non-binary youth. Please be kind to yourself and use your discretion while reading this section. Advisory: State news is representative but not exhaustive due to space constraint; feel free to forward news about your state to advocacy@pflag.org to consider for inclusion. Illinois - Bills to protect LGBTQ+ rights sent to Governor. The legislation changes the language in state child-care law to be more inclusive, mandates tracking non-binary and gender non-conforming employees in state agencies to improve employee diversity, and makes it easier for LGBTQ+ couples from other states to marry in Illinois. All three bills now await Governor Pritzker’s signature. Indiana - Forced outing legislation approved. Signed by Governor Eric Holcomb on May 4th, House Bill 1608 mandates schools to inform a student’s parents if they request a name or pronoun change. The bill also prohibits sex education from pre-k through third grade. Louisiana - Committee blocks LGBTQ+ employment discrimination bill. In a 7-5 vote the House Labor and Industrial relations Committee voted down the legislation that would bar businesses from discriminating against LGBTQ+ people in the hiring and employment process. Missouri - House votes to ban gender-affirming care for minors, trans participation in school sports. SB39 prohibits youth under 18 from receiving medically necessary care including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. SB49 blocks trans youth from playing on school sports teams that correspond with their gender identity at the K-12 and college levels as well as at private and charter schools. Both bills await Governor Mike Parson’s signature. Kansas City moves toward sanctuary city status. In response to anti-trans legislation on the state level, The City Council approved a resolution on May 10th to declare the city a refuge for those looking for or administering medically necessary gender-affirming care. The resolution states that the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives, or helps someone receive medically necessary care for trans and non-binary youth. School board member resigns and vows to leave Missouri over anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Katherine Sasser was a school board member for two years in Columbia, Missouri and said on May 8th that she and her family will move out of the state. According to Sasser the state “is no longer a safe place” for her family, especially her transgender daughter. Sasser resigned effective May 9th. North Carolina - House approves gender-affirming care ban for minors. House bill 808 would ban medically necessary care for those under the age of 18, including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. The legislation would also ban state funds from being used for any gender affirming care, including for adults. Oklahoma - Gov. vetoes PBS funding citing LGBTQ+ content. The bill, HB2820, renews funds for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority and requires 2/3rds of each legislative chamber to override Governor Stitt’s veto. Texas - AG to investigate gender-affirming care at Austin hospital. Dell Children’s Medical Center denies Attorney General Ken Paxton’s allegations that the hospital may have been administering hormone replacement therapy and providing surgeries for youth. |