Trans Day of Vengeance

By Noah "The Stigma Fighter"

“As long as my people don’t have their rights in America, there’s no reason for celebration.”-Marsha P. Johnson

“I’m not even in the back of the bus. My community is being pulled by a rope around our neck by the bumper of the damn bus that stays in the front. Gay liberation but transgender nothing!”-Sylvia Rivera

*Be prepared this is going to be a long one y’all*

When I reflect on those two quotes it makes me relieved that we had unapologetic, compassion, and determined women who were fighting for all in the LGBTQ. In the same breath it disappoints me. It disappoints me more that there is so much gatekeeping and in-fighting within our own. Sylvia and Marsha dealt with this during the time that they were assisting the LGB communities with liberation. These women sacrificed their lives on numerous occasions. Sylvia Rivera once made a statement that she couldn’t bear at the thought of having her own house when so many siblings were on the street struggling.

As a community for years we have been fighting constant oppression. Homosexuality was once in the DSM but was removed, the LGB communities were told that they were indoctrinating others, everyone of us has been seen as a disease, we are only supposed to abide by to the norms placed on us, and heterosexual was once accused of being a slur. Although, the LGBTQIA+ has made progress there is still things that need to be done.

Right now the trans/non-binary/gender non-conforming/intersex communities are under a threat. There is this nasty stigma that has been placed on us. I have always said what creates a stigma is lack of education and humility. We now have gender dysphoria in the DSM, we are getting told we are indoctrinating children and also sexualize them, we are not even seen as human by some, and again we are to only conform to the binary scale. The term cis is seen as a slur mainly by right wingers/TERFS.

See a common theme? It is because we are going backwards. Everyone in the community are human beings it doesn’t matter if you are trans or cis. We deserve our basic human rights met. No one should die because they simply want to exist. In 2022, we have lost close to 400 people globally. In 2023 so far, we have lost 38 people globally. Some have lost their life due to violence or things became too overwhelming. I personally would argue that experiencing trauma from bullying is violence.

Hate and misinformation has taken over this country and we need to start modeling and demonstrating empathy and compassion. I cannot emphasize this enough, please put your ego aside. We are a community that is supposed to be about love, not fighting with each other.

Some highlights of the National Survey from the Trevor Project(2022) 32% of trans/non-binary youth identified that home was an affirming space and 51% identified school as a safe affirming. Let start here!

Seeing the difference of youth when it comes to a safe affirming space is revealing. We must keep in mind the biggest challenge when it comes to trans youth or for anyone, is coming out. One can only question what are schools doing wrong? In this case, schools that are affirming are not doing anything wrong. I will save this for another newsletter, but I want to add I am not suggesting the education system is perfect.

Education Bans

Since we are on the topic of education the following states have proposed bills that would significantly damage the mental health of many youth. These bills would prohibit instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. Some states have proposed banning pronouns and excluding gender identity from discrimination protections. TRAN has created a map on this issue. Total, there have been 144 education proposals. Good news, 8 proposals in VA and 12 in MS have died in committee.

The states that are painted in beige are proposing 1-3 education proposals, WA, MN, GA, MD, CT, and NH. The likelihood that these will pass are slim. However, GA will be monitored. States painted in orange are proposing 4-10 bills. OR and NJ we predict may not pass. The states painted in red are proposing 10+ bills. Some states have passed bills such as, AR HB1156 (Passed), IA SF129 (Subcommittee recommends passage), IA HF180 (Passed), IA HF8 (Subcommittee recommends passage), IA SF83 (Subcommittee recommends passage), MO SB42 (Combined with other bills)(This is the original bill text) MO SB134 (Passed), ND HB1489 (passed), ND HB1249 (passed), and UT SB0100 (Passed). Oklahoma is the highest in education proposals.

The Trevor Project released their national survey in 2022, when it comes to youth and the challenges they are facing, the state survey’s in my opinion are not as detailed. As a mental health professional, I would like things broken down so I can best serve the client or the communities we are advocating for. I always say the more information the better. In the state of Oklahoma when it comes to experiencing physical harm or threats based on their orientation and gender identity, 47% of youth responded that they have experienced this. However, the question was designed to group the other letters as a whole. 53% of youth thankfully reported not experiencing this. 31% of youth reported school being a safe affirming space. 82% of youth are receiving low to moderate support from their families and 23% from friends. Only 18% of youth are receiving high support from family and 77% are receiving support from friends. This is all in Oklahoma.

On a federal level US HB216 aka My Child My choice act, schools would not be provided funding if they are out of compliance (Parental Consent). Teachers will be required to get consent on any lessons they are teaching in terms of gender, orientation, or any transgender history. Another federal bill to watch is US SB200. This bill would require schools to get parental consent when it comes to changing the child’s gender marker, pronouns, or accommodate any sex-based needs such as the bathroom and locker room. US HB736 is similar to SB200.

I cannot emphasize this enough, education is important. There is a narrative that has been hyped that trans people are trying to indoctrinate children, that rhetoric has been the fuel for these proposals.

Public Accommodation

The purpose of these bills that are getting proposed is regarding public bathrooms. ID is the only state that has passed a bill like this through the senate ID S1016. In this bill not only is gender identity not considered a protection, but other public places such as showering and changing rooms. In IN HB1520 it would be a class B misdemeanor if any person enters a bathroom (Knowingly) that does not match one’s own biological sex. This bill has been read and has been referred to the courts and criminal code. KS SB180 is basically filled with TERF rhetoric. However, this bill takes it a step further. When statistics are being collected it only allows you to acknowledge your sex assigned at birth. This bill is getting heard in a committee on 2/15 at 8:30 am. ND HB1473 also not only includes restrooms, showers, shelters, etc., but it includes participating in sports. A committee meeting did happen so the results of this bill will be posted once update has been received.

Drag Bans

Total there are 31 drag ban proposals in 2023.

MN SF933 was proposed by 3 republicans, Eric Lucero, Jeff Howe, and Glenn Gruenhagen. I am optimistic that this drag ban won’t pass. It has been assigned a committee but again MN is blue. The states that are in orange, very likely drag bans will be passed. *I do intend to update these maps if anything changes* There are currently 4 bills being proposed in Texas, TX HB708, TX HB643, TX SB476, and TX HB1266. They are currently in filed status. The narrative that is occurring when it comes to the drag community is that they are groomers and trying to sexualize children. Just something to note cis people participate in drag, it is not just trans people. Texas Youth reported that they are experiencing mental health challenges. 38% of youth reported that the political climate is negatively impacting a lot. 48% reported it somewhat impacts them in a negative way.

ID

This is in reference into updating your identification documents.

States that are in red indicates that bills were passed or close to passing. ND HB1139 has been referred to the human services committee. This bill would not allow non-binary people to change their birth certificates. TN SB1440 was passed on a second consideration and at this time it has been referred to the senate. UT SB93 has passed the senate and the house is currently reviewing it.

Religious Freedom

The reasoning for the naming of this category because the bills that have been proposed the claim is that “we are attempting to destroy religious freedom.” Although not true, this is the only way christofascists respond. So far 23 of these bills have been proposed however, VA and WY those bills died in committee.

I will provide a brief description of some of the proposed bills but keep in mind, it is all about religious freedom. A detailed list will be posted later. AZ SB1001 is actually proposing a do pass amendment. Essentially what this bill states is that use of pronouns as well as implementing policies around pronouns will not be allowed. ID HB63 essentially instructs mental health therapists if they morally do not feel ok to treat said person they can not continue treatment. It seems harmless but with this proposal this would not be grounds to sue. For example, if a therapist was working with a trans client but morally (prompted by religion) could not work with the client they can terminate services and not face repercussions. IA HF229 aka the Religious Freedom Restoration Act again is something you will notice be a repeated theme. IA SF212 is focused on foster parents but the not so shocking thing about this bill is that parents that hold strong religious beliefs will not experience discrimination. KS SB207 essentially this could go under education and schools but it is pronoun ban. KY HB58 is again a reinforcer for providers to make a choice weather if they want to treat people that the provider does not agree with them morally or to treat. MI HB4075 is a bill protecting religious beliefs due to the fact they (haters) feel like they are getting discriminated against. However, I am optimistic that this will not pass. MT HB303 aka Medical ethics and diversity act. This again gives healthcare providers permission to not treat anyone that does not agree with their moral conscious.

US HB985 is one I would like to add into this category. The reason why is because this particular bill would prohibit federal funds to any program if utilizing inclusive and gender-neutral language that would be designed to educate and highlight inclusivity. This is bill exposes that inclusivity triggers bigots.

Gender Affirming Care

Gender affirming care does not center around medical interventions such as surgeries. GAC includes the social, psychological, and behavioral aspects. Over 100+ GAC Bans have been proposed. I want to highly emphasize this again, no one is “castrating” trans kids but intersex kids are getting medically harmed and mentally. Active GAC bans were passed in FL, AR, and TX. Recently passed GAC bans are, MS HB1125 which essentially funding would be blocked for clinics, SD HB1080 was just recently signed and healthcare providers that assist with GAC would lose their license to practice, TN HB01, and UT SB0016 which was passed on 1/28/23.

Ok one last thing on a federal level, US HB429 aka No Tax Breaks for Radical Corporate Activism act states that no deduction should be allowed and will not be reimburse employee if they have traveled out of state to receive an abortion or GAC. Intersex people of course are exempt. US HR115 is essentially establishing a women’s bill of rights filled with TERF talking points.

Ok I know that was a lot to read but I do want to encourage you all to please continue to reach out to legislators and pushing for pro trans bills. Last year Rep. Jayapal introduced HR1209 on 6/28/2022. This resolution is Trans Liberation. This resolution has 98 co-sponsors. Here is the list of co-sponsors for this resolution. In terms of Protections that are being proposed this cycle: CA(3), AZ (2), CO (1), CT (2), FL (2), ID (1), IL (5), KS (1), KY (1), MD (1), MI (1), MN (3), MO (4), NE (2), NH (3), NJ (11), NM (4), NY (20), OK (1), OR (3), RI (1), SC (2), TX (1), WA (3), WV (3), and WI (1). There may be more and if so I will update this article. The common themes you will find in these protections are anti-discriminatory policies, conversion therapy bans, and teaching inclusivity in schools. TRAN will be updating their website with any current information about these bills.

#TransDayOfVengeance is about bringing back the phrase, “We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere.” This is our time when we say enough with the hate from all dynamics. We are facing a terrifying time in this world but in the same breath, we cannot allow ourselves to be silent either. We are all worth it, we deserve to exist without prejudice. TRAN is also working with collaborating other movements, every intersectional issue needs to be addressed. On 3/31-4/1, Tsukuru Fors (co-founder) has partnered with Our Rights DC and they will be holding an event in DC. I encourage anyone who has questions about the DC event please reach out via the website. On 4/1-4/2 TRAN will be offering an online option. At this time I am currently looking for speakers. The online event will most likely take place at 1 pm pst. If anyone is interested in speaking at the online event please visit our webpage and list that on the contact form and list a topic that should be discussed at the event.

I know things are scary but we must rise and know despite what kind of shit we receive, we take care of us and we keep us safe. Much Love to you all :)