Monday, April 10, 2023

LGBTQ+ Youth's Rights Under Attack: STEP 1 (Part 1)

Source: www.pexels.com

By Sam Piha

The recent attacks on LGBTQ+ youth in political rhetoric and as state houses around America are considering legislation that targets LGBTQ young people, according to the Trevor Project,” ranging from censoring LGBTQ-related curriculums and books, banning transgender student-athletes from participating in sports that match their gender identity, and criminalizing doctors and families who support youth with transgender medical care.”

“Uncivil discourse and hostile political rhetoric have seeped into the nation’s classrooms, leading to declines in support for teaching about race and racism, and sizable growth in harassment of LGBTQ youth, according to a survey of high school principals released this week.”Ed Source, Political rancor has had chilling effect on public education, survey finds

Even though there are inclusive and progressive politics in some states, afterschool programs in states across the country do not enjoy this. How can they promote a safe space for all youth amid state efforts to erase the LGBTQ+ community? 

WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT LGBTQ+ YOUTH AMIDST THE ANTI-LGBTQ MOVEMENT?
STEP 1:Begin by staying informed. According to The Trevor Project, “Follow news about LGBTQ issues in your state and around the country. Sign up for newsletters or alerts from organizations like The Trevor Project or the ACLU and follow their social media accounts to stay up-to-date on the latest developments.

AT HIGHER RISK
We know that LGBTQ+ youth are more vulnerable when compared to other youth. They are:
Source: The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity










ANTI-LBGTQ STATE LEGISLATION

Below, we have listed several articles by topic which were written by National Public Radio and others. If you click on the title, it will take you to the original article. 


“It’s clear that lawmakers should be taking an intersectional approach to public policy, not working overtime to target the most marginalized young people, particularly those who are transgender or nonbinary, for partisan political points. We all must play a role in promoting LGBTQ acceptance and creating a more supportive world for all young people.”- Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project

SCHOOLS 

March 8, 2022 • Florida's Senate passed a bill Tuesday that aims to limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled support for the legislation.

Texas attorney general says Austin school Pride Week celebration breaks state law
March 25, 2022 • Austin's school district holds events to celebrate LGBTQIA+ students every year. Attorney General Ken Paxton says, "when it comes to sex education, parents—not school districts—are in charge."

HEALTHCARE
Alabama Legislature votes to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth

April 7, 2022 • State lawmakers also passed a separate measure prohibiting early classroom instruction on sexual and gender identity, a bill critics have dubbed "Don't Say Gay."

Alabama is using the case that ended Roe to argue it can ban gender-affirming care
July 3, 2022 • The case marks one of the first known instances in which a conservative state has tried to apply the abortion ruling to other realms, just as LGBTQ advocates and others were afraid would happen.

 Source: Gabriel C. PĂ©rez/KUT, National Public Radio,
VIDEO: Parents of trans kids fear Texas' anti-trans orders

A judge blocks part of an Alabama law that criminalizes gender-affirming medication
May 14, 2022 • The federal judge issued a preliminary injunction while a court challenge goes forward. The judge left in place other parts of the law that banned gender-affirming surgeries.
 
Texas Supreme Court OKs state child abuse inquiries into the families of trans kids
May 13, 2022 • The ruling overturns an injunction barring state officials from following Abbott's directive to view treatments such as hormones and puberty-blocking drugs as incidents of child abuse.
 
Can states limit abortion and gender-affirming treatments outside their borders?
March 15, 2022 • Building on SB 8 in Texas, some Republican lawmakers are trying a new strategy: pushing bills that would attempt to limit what residents can and can't do even beyond state lines.
 
Georgia governor signs trans health care ban
March 24, 2023 • Doctors could lose their job if they provide safe and effective treatments to trans youth.

BANNING OF BOOKS, MUSIC, AND ART

Source: National Public Radio

These kids' authors are telling the stories of trans youth. Book bans won't stop them.
March 31, 2022 • As lawmakers push forward with efforts to curb the rights of queer and trans youth, authors who've written about gender expansive and trans identities say storytelling is crucial.




No comments:

Post a Comment

How Smartphones Are Impacting Young People

Source: www.unsplash.com The issue of allowing smart phones in the classroom is being discussed across the country, and the response to this...