Jan 25 2024 37 mins 3
Over 300 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation have been introduced in state legislatures across the country so far this year, in what advocates are calling an unprecedented assault on transgender rights.
The majority of bills specifically target transgender individuals, ranging from healthcare restrictions to limits on school sports participation. The volume has skyrocketed compared to previous years, with 2023 on track to exceed 2022's record number of anti-trans bills.
“This is not regular politics — it’s a moral panic,” said journalist Erin Reed, who tracks anti-LGBTQ legislation extensively. “It’s gone beyond politicking and is now basically whatever [conservatives] can use to rally their base.”
Many bills have origins in model legislation pushed by national conservative groups. The Heritage Foundation's “Project 2025” blueprint lays out plans to rescind LGBTQ protections over the next three years, establishing what critics call a path toward authoritarian rule. Efforts span from empowering a right-wing federal workforce to utilizing agencies like the CDC for invasive data collection on sexuality.
The recent bills rely largely on unfounded claims that inclusive policies endanger cisgender students and undermine parental rights. Alabama, Arizona, and other states target healthcare coverage for transition-related care for minors even as major medical associations endorse affirming care.
Experts widely discredit arguments that acknowledging young transgender students’ identities or respecting pronouns can influence peers’ orientations. Similarly, sports participation bans counter research showing trans athletes have no consistent performance advantages in their gender category after beginning hormones, though schemes differ.
Reed warned that families are already being forced to “flee their homes or hide just to get healthcare” while awaiting legal challenges against healthcare restrictions. While some Senate Democrats have spoken against anti-LGBTQ measures, the White House response remains muted to date. With administrations empowered to interpret sex protections, legislative defeats may not spell the end as court battles loom ahead.
