I wanted to make sure you all know that the Republicans brought the NC General Assembly back into session to pass a bill into law (over-riding Governor Cooper’s veto of the bill) that makes it illegal to provide some gender-affirming care to minors, and also makes educators “out” trans students to parents, and makes it harder for youth to be called by their chosen name and pronouns.
These actions are are extremely hurtful and harmful for transgender, nonbinary, and other gender-diverse youth, who just want to live their lives with peace and well-being.
All of us most likely do know trans people, youth and adults, whether we are aware of it or not. People living according to their gender identities are not hurting anyone else, in the classroom, bathroom, or sports team. It is shameful that the state of North Carolina is once again imposing laws that restrict freedom and impose the government in between youth and their families, and their doctors and educators.
I am grateful to Planned Parenthood and other health care providers, activists, and educators, who are looking for ways to protest this law, which I believe will be challenged in court.
I wanted to share a post from a parent in a support group for families of transgender youth, shared with permission:
If you don’t have any trans or non-binary kids in your life, you might not be aware of what’s going on right now. I’m sure you’ve read headlines, but you might not really know. The GOP has waged an all out war against these kids. They are not speaking to families raising these kids and they are passing legislation that is harming these kids and, I’ll be frank, killing these kids. They are passing legislation that is disallowing life saving care, including mental health support. They are passing legislation that would threaten to pull kids from parent, claiming they are being abusive by supporting them. They are disallowing any funding which will close down centers that support these kids. Youth are fleeing unsafe situations. They are passing laws that would ensure not only unsafe situations in schools but would dangerously out these kids to all, at a time when there are bigots looking for “queers to kill.”
And they are doing it all quietly, swiftly, and with the knowledge that this vulnerable demographic cannot fight back and remain safe.
Please, friends, if you care, reach out to organizations that are working nonstop to protect these kids. Send them funding. Make phone calls for them. Make yourself known as a safe home and a safe place. There is an entire community in crisis and most people have no idea.
Finally, please don’t vote for the Republican Party. They are harming vulnerable people. They are lying about what they are doing and they are lying about why. If you want to know why they would do this, I’ll give you the simple answer: power. They are doing it to drum up votes. For no other reason than this. They will publically claim that they are “protecting” children, but they are not only NOT protecting these children, they are harming them, deeply.
Please understand that this is not “politics as usual”. These are lives. Precious lives. The pain and harm this is causing is irreversible. And this extraordinary community deserves a chance just like everyone else.
Please vote blue. Literally, lives are depending on it.
I will keep covering this story. I will close by linking to this article published by the Campaign for Southern Equality back in June when the bill was originally passed, pre-veto:
North Carolina House Passes HB808, Banning Access to Life-Saving Healthcare for Transgender Youth in NC
June 28, 2023 in News by Adam Polaski
There is not end to their cruel, hateful behavior.