Maria Caspani

(Reuters] – Tuesday’s pledge by 16 Democratic senators to bring legislation for legal protection to transgender teens and their families that have been displaced from their home states, was made by sixteen Democratic Senators.

They will also join the efforts of California, New York, and Minnesota in a coordinated response against a wave of recent laws and measures that ban gender-affirming treatment for transgender youths in several conservative states like Texas and Alabama.

California state senator Scott Wiener, announcing the alliance at an event alongside the LGBTQ Victory Institute (and other civil right groups), stated that “this attack upon the very existence our community is something we will not accept”

Wiener was the sponsor of a March California bill that has been used as a model for others. The bill would reject any judgment by an out-of state court allowing transgender parents to remove their children from their parents if they allow them to provide gender-affirming treatment against local laws.

Wiener said that the law would prohibit any outside-of-state subpoenas requesting information regarding individuals coming to California for medical care.

Many of the 16 states in which legislative sessions are over will hold off on the implementation of refuge legislation. This could lead to opposition from some legislators.

Annise Parker is the President and CEO of The LGBTQ Victory Institute. She said that it was still important for leaders and families to convey a “very clear message” to trans teens and their families.

Parker declared, “We see and hear you. We support you. We’ll do our best to keep you safe.”