Washington, D.C. — In the landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly concerning transgender individuals, the battle against discriminatory legislation rages on. With over 400 bills targeting transgender people already in circulation in 2024, concerns about the potential impact of such laws have reached a fever pitch. To address these concerns, @erininthemorn, a prominent activist on Twitter and TikTok, has meticulously tracked anti-transgender legislation for the past four years. Their latest endeavor, the Legislative Risk Map, aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the risk posed by the worst of these laws passing, state by state.
The Urgency of the Situation
For many transgender individuals and their allies, the need to assess the risk of remaining in their home state has become increasingly pressing. Parents of transgender youth worry about the safety and well-being of their children, while trans professionals, such as teachers, fear for the security of their jobs. The risk extends beyond mere inconvenience; it encompasses forced medical detransition, threats of arrest for using public facilities, and the erosion of fundamental rights to self-identification and public existence.
Methodology Behind the Map
The creation of the Legislative Risk Map involved a multifaceted methodology, blending qualitative analysis with a scoring rubric for the most egregious bills. @erininthemorn’s expertise in this domain is unparalleled, having meticulously examined over 550 bills targeting transgender individuals in America in 2023 alone, and over 400 in the first six weeks of 2024. Their comprehensive approach includes reviewing bill texts, analyzing hours of legislative hearings, and staying abreast of national and state-level political developments.
The Adult Trans Legislative Risk Assessment Map
Key Findings from the Update:
Utah (High Risk → Worst Laws Passed), Iowa (Medium Risk → High Risk), South Dakota (Medium Risk → High Risk)
Major Moves: Notable shifts include Utah’s transition from a High Risk to Worst Laws Passed category, fueled by the passage of a bathroom ban targeting transgender individuals. Similarly, Iowa and South Dakota have both escalated from Medium Risk to High Risk, signaling the advancement of harsh anti-trans laws within their legislative chambers.
Nationwide Risk: The overall risk level for transgender adults nationwide is deemed Moderate. The convergence of increasing bills targeting trans adult healthcare and campaigning by Republican presidential candidates raises concerns about the potential for national anti-trans laws in the event of Republican dominance across all branches of government.
Do Not Travel (FL): Florida stands as the sole state earning a “Do Not Travel” advisory, owing to laws permitting the arrest of transgender individuals for using restrooms according to their gender identity and targeting transgender individuals’ driver’s licenses.
The Worst States (KS, MT, ND, OK, TN, UT): States such as Kansas, Montana, and Oklahoma have enacted deeply troubling legislation eroding transgender adults’ rights, ranging from bathroom bans to the legislative erasure of transgender identities.
High-Risk States (AL, AR, IA, IN, LA, MO, MS, NE, OH, SC, SD, TX, WV): While these states have passed some anti-trans adult laws, they have yet to reach the severity of the worst states. However, recent legislative proposals and actions indicate a concerning trend towards further restrictions on transgender rights.
Moderate-Risk States (AK, GA, ID, KY, NC, NH, WY): States in this category have either introduced limited legislation targeting transgender adults or have focused primarily on laws affecting transgender youth, with potential implications for future legislative measures.
Low-Risk States (AZ, DE, ME, MI, NV, PA, RI, VA, WI): These states have refrained from targeting transgender adults significantly, although they may lack comprehensive protections for transgender individuals in certain areas.
Most Protective States (CA, CO, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA): These states have emerged as beacons of protection for transgender individuals, offering robust legal safeguards and comprehensive healthcare coverage.
The Youth Trans Legislative Risk Assessment Map
Key Findings from the Update:
Ohio (High Risk → Worst Laws), Wyoming (Medium Risk → High Risk), Arizona (Low Risk → Medium Risk)
Major Moves: The latest update reveals significant shifts in the legal landscape for transgender youth. Ohio has descended into the realm of the worst anti-trans laws, marked by a draconian ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Meanwhile, Wyoming, previously resistant to such measures, has advanced several anti-trans bills, signaling a troubling trend towards restrictive legislation. Notably, Arizona has emerged as a new battleground, with Republican lawmakers pushing forward a bill that could jeopardize the rights of transgender students.
Nationwide Risk: The nationwide risk level remains at Moderate, fueled by an uptick in bills targeting trans healthcare and the political campaigning of Republican presidential candidates. The possibility of national anti-trans laws looms large, particularly in the event of Republican dominance across all branches of government.
As we continue to monitor the legislative landscape, it is imperative to stand in solidarity with transgender youth and advocate for their rights and well-being. By staying informed and engaged, we can work towards a future where all young people, regardless of gender identity, can thrive in safe and inclusive environments. For more information, visit Erin in the Morning.
