It’s already a record year for anti-2SLGBTQ bills in the U.S. Here are some of the rights rolling back

There has been a bombardment of bills filed in US state legislatures so far this year that affect the rights of two-spirited people—lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queer people—and there are few signs of the onslaught slowing down.

Legislation tracking groups have listed hundreds of bills affecting 2SLGBTQ people: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lists at least 474 bills on its tracking website, while the Trans Legislation Tracker has 541.

There are some restrictions that affect gender-affirming treatment for minors – even for adults in some cases – bathroom use, identification, drag performances and education. Dozens of these bills have passed and been signed into law, although court challenges have prevented some from taking effect.

Wednesday is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which is meant to honor the strength and resilience of the 2SLGBTQ community and fight for equal rights around the world.

But this year will be marked by a new fight for those rights as many US lawmakers roll back what supporters say has been years of progress.

Here are some of the strictest and most controversial laws passed in the US so far this year.

Watch | Countries that offer protection from anti-transgender laws:

Limits of gender-affirming treatment

Utah is the first state in 2023 to put legislation on the books banning puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for transgender people under 18. A total of 16 states. has banned gender-affirming treatment for minors this year.

Legislation is not only increasing; in some countries, some have increased in severity.

In Alabama, Arkansas and Idaho, doctors and other gender-affirming care providers can be charged with a felony for providing care to minors, even though it is considered rare.

At Idaho, could result in a 10-year prison sentence. It’s the same punishment Alabama, although the age limit is 19 in that state compared to 18 in most other states that have passed such laws. The sentence is up to 15 years Arkansas.

In Florida, gender-affirming treatment for youth has been banned but will be a criminal offense as well, if Governor Ron DeSantis signs it. recent legislation to the law. The state can also temporarily take custody from a parent “in certain child custody enforcement proceedings” if the child “has undergone or is threatened with prescription or sex reassignment procedures,” the law says.

Texas began to do “child abuse“An investigation into parents believed to have sought gender-affirming treatment for their children last year, at the behest of the state attorney general, until a court order halted the investigation. Last September.

Efforts to limit gender-affirming care are not limited to care provided to minors. Missouri lawmakers are considering extending the age limit for gender-affirming treatment to anyone under 25. They have passed legislation that would prevent the treatment. covered by Medicaid in the country.

Bathroom access ban

The everyday rights of transgender and gender diverse people will also be threatened, with laws restricting access to bathrooms.

Florida Governor DeSantis is poised to sign a bill, passed on May 3, that could see people charged with misdemeanors for using bathrooms or locker rooms — whether in schools, health care facilities, public shelters or private businesses. – who do not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Kansas performed that they swept bathroom bill earlier this year which will take effect this summer.

Personal pronouns

Some countries have adopted measures to identify the pronouns preferred by others. Preferred pronouns reflect the gender a person identifies with, which is considered an important sign of respect and affirmation for transgender and gender diverse people – especially. young man.

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum sign the bill on May 8, which then goes into direct effect, allowing teachers to ignore the preferred pronouns of transgender and gender-colored students. State government employees are also allowed to decline the preferred pronouns of their co-workers.

Lawmakers in Florida, Arkansas, Indiana and Montana have also passed bills that would allow teachers and classmates to ignore students’ preferred pronouns without penalty.

Risk to representation

Some states, like Missouri, are trying to impose bans in school and public libraries on books related to gender identity and sexual orientation, but Oklahoma’s governor is following the state’s public broadcaster.

Gov. Kevin Stitt funding veto last month for the Oklahoma Education Television Authority – the most watched PBS station in the state, according to CNN – until 2026 through the 2SLGBTQ-inclusive program he claims contributes to the “indoctrination and sexualization of children.”

The station could go dark later this year unless the legislature reverses its decision.

Drag performances have also come under threat, especially in Tennessee. It is the first state in the country to implement measures aimed at “impersonators,” widely interpreted as being directed at drag performers.

At the law would ban drag shows, classified under the term “adult-oriented shows,” that can be seen by minors. Any bar or facility hosting such a performance cannot be located within 300 meters of a child care facility, private, public, or charter school, public park, family recreation center, residence, or place of worship.

A first offense will be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and jail time of up to 11 months; subsequent offenses will qualify as crime which is punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 US and up to six years in prison.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the state law criminalizing drag performancesin some cases, a few hours before it takes effect on April 1.