Maria Caspani

(Reuters) – Conservative legislators have passed a slew of bills directed at transgender youth this year. These include measures to ban classroom discussions of gender identity and to block young people’s access to health care to support their transition.

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.

These are some bills that were passed this year.

SCHOOL SPORTS BANS

ARIZONA — Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation that prohibits transgender women from participating in sports programs for girls at both public and private schools.

KENTUCKY – The Kentucky legislature overruled Democratic Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of the bill which would have prohibited transgender girls and women from participating in school sports at Kentucky schools and universities, 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 is currently considering a bill 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 legislation banning transgender girls participating in school sports. Parents or guardians of students athletes aged under 18 must sign an “acknowledging” affidavit.

Utah lawmakers overturned Governor Spencer Cox’s veto to block a bill prohibiting transgender girls participating in sports in schools. Cox, who is a Republican, stated that the bill was flawed and he vetoed it.

SOUTH DAKOTA: A bill was signed by Kristi Noem, a Republican governor, prohibiting transgender girls and women from participating in school-based sports.

HELPFUL RESTRICTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE

ARIZONA — Doug Ducey the Republican Governor signed into law a bill prohibiting doctors from doing “irreversible Gender Reassignment Surgery” on minors.

ALABAMA: Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed into law a bill which would make parents and other health care providers who offer transition-related care to minors criminal. The penalty could be as high as 10 years imprisonment. It is under attack in court.

TEXAS – Governor Greg Abbott of Texas issued an order to examine parents who give gender-affirming treatment to their transgender kids. This order is currently under review by the courts.

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. It also bans certain grade levels from having classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity.

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