Maria Caspani

(Reuters] – This year’s legislation was passed by Republicans in at most 12 U.S. states. It restricts the rights of transgender teens in a wide range of areas such as healthcare, education and sport.

These bills were signed some by governors in advance of 2022’s midterm elections. The transgender rights have emerged as an important front in America’s cultural wars.

Below are some of these bills which were adopted or passed in this year’s legislative session.

SCHOOL SPORTS BAN

ARIZONA — Governor Doug Ducey passed a law that prohibits transgender students, both in private and public schools, from playing in sports teams in schools consistent with their gender identities.

GEORGIA – Lawmakers have passed a bill with an amended to create a school-athletics oversight committee. This would decide whether or not transgender students are allowed to play on schools that match their gender identity. Governor Brian Kemp (a Republican) is expected to sign the measure.

KENTUCKY. Democratic Governor Andy Beshear rejected a bill which would have ban transgender girls and boys from Kentucky school sports teams, grades 6-12.

INDIANA: Republican Governor Eric Holcomb vetoed a bill that would have prohibited trans girls from participating in girls’ school athletics. It was opposed by Republican legislators who have pledged to repeal it.

IOWA: Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law requiring students to be part of school teams based on “sex at the birth.” This bill was approved by both public and private schools, as well as higher education institutions.

KANSAS: Democratic Governor Laura Kelly plans to veto legislation that passed both chambers of Kansas state legislature. It would ban transgender female school athletes and their participation. Kelly rejected a similar bill last summer.

OKLAHOMA – Republican Governor Kevin Stitt forbade transgender women from participating or competing in school sports. A law requires that parents and guardians of under-18 student athletes sign an affidavit acknowledging the biological sex of their child.

UTAH: Utah lawmakers overrode Governor Spencer Cox’s vote to veto a bill prohibiting transgender girls participating in girl’s sports teams at school. Cox, who is a Republican, described the bill as a flawed piece in an extensive letter expounding his decision to veto it.

SOUTH DAKOTA – Governor Kristi Noem (a Republican) signed a bill that prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in school sports teams aligning with their gender identities. This ban is applicable to all schools that are state-accredited.

RETRICTIONS TO HEALTHCARE

ARIZONA – Doug Ducey (the Republican governor) signed into law legislation banning doctors from “irreversible genital reassignment” surgery on minors.

ALABAMA – Lawmakers have passed legislation that will criminalize doctors and parents who offer gender-affirming treatment to minors. The governor can sign or veto it.

Texas: Governor Greg Abbott has issued an order for parents to be investigated for providing gender-affirming treatment to transgender children. Abbott has called these practices child abuse and caused some health care providers to suspend or limit the treatment of transgender children. This is currently under challenge in court.

OTHER RESTRICTIONS

FLORIDA – Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning any class discussion, even instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation for children aged 3 to 12. All grades 4–12 teaching must be appropriate for their age. The bill does not contain specific language. This law gives parents the right to sue school districts if they are found to be violating it.

Sources: Equality Federation Freedom for all Americans ACLU, Human Rights Campaign.