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Factbox-New U.S. state laws directed at transgender youth -Breaking

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO. A protester holds up a flag at a rally against the Trump administration’s transgender proposal, which would narrow down the gender definition to either male or female at birth. This was at City Hall, New York City. October 24, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McD

Maria Caspani

(Reuters] – Conservative lawmakers passed a slew this year of bills aimed at transgender young people. They include legislation that bans classroom discussion about gender identity, blocks access to healthcare for youth who are transitioning, and limits participation in sports.

In the lead-up to 2022’s midterm elections, there is a rush for Republican-sponsored legislation. Transgender rights are a key front in America’s culture wars.

Below are some examples of bills which were passed or enacted in this calendar year.

SCHOOL SPORTS BAN

ARIZONA – Governor Doug Ducey has signed legislation banning transgender girls playing in girls’ teams at public and private schools.

KENTUCKY – Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has vetoed legislation that would have prohibited trans girls and women from participating in school sports at Kentucky schools and universities.

INDIANA, Republican Governor Eric Holcomb vetoed a bill that would have prohibited trans girls from participating in girls’ school athletics. The legislators were led by Republican lawmakers who pledged to override the bill.

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 is currently considering legislation to ban transgender females and girls from participating on school athletic teams. Kelly opposed a similar bill in the past year.

OKLAHOMA – Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed an act banning transgender girl athletes from participating or competing in girls’ school athletics. Parents or guardians of students athletes aged under 18 must sign an “acknowledging” affidavit.

UTAH: Utah lawmakers passed a bill to remove Governor Spencer Cox from his veto. The bill banned transgender girl’s participation in girls’ school sports teams. Cox (a Republican) called the bill “a flawed measure” in explaining why he vetoed it.

SOUTH DAKOTA – Governor Kristi Noem (a Republican) signed a bill that prohibits transgender women and girls playing in girls’ school sports.

RETRICTIONS TO HEALTHCARE

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

ALABAMA: Republican governor Kay Ivey (a Republican) signed into law legislation that criminalizes parents and healthcare professionals providing transition-related medical treatment to minors. There is a maximum of 10 years prison. This bill is currently being challenged in court.

TEXAS – Governor Greg Abbott of Texas issued an order to examine parents who give gender-affirming treatment to their transgender kids. The court is currently challenging the order.

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.

ALABAMA: Kay Ivey (the Republican governor) signed a bill that requires students to use changing and bathrooms that correspond with their genders in public schools. This measure prohibits students from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms at certain grades.

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

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