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Virginia Republicans approve anti-queer bill that forces schools to 'out' trans youth to parents [1]

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Date: 2023-02-09

On Tuesday, Virginia House delegates passed HB 1387, which would ban trans girls from participating in sports teams consistent with their gender identity. This legislation applies to all grade levels from elementary school through college. Like just about all the other anti-trans sports legislation, those in favor are trying to make it an argument about “fairness” for cis girl student-athletes, but all these trans are doing is keeping trans girls from any kind of access and opportunity. In Virginia high schools currently, trans student-athletes are evaluated on an individual basis.

They also passed HB 2432, which would essentially force public school teachers and staff to “out” students to their parents or guardians, even if there’s a possibility that the “outing” could lead to abuse or homelessness. Specifically, this bill mandates that public schools must tell at least one parent or guardian if the student self-identifies as a gender that differs from the sex assigned at birth. It also says that “referring” to and “raising” the minor in a manner “consistent with the child’s biological sex” can not be considered “abuse or neglect.”

Now, it’s not terribly surprising that these bills were approved because Republicans have a majority in the House. They don’t, thankfully, have a majority in the state Senate. And that Democratic stronghold in the Senate is likely why a handful of anti-trans bills dealing with health care and sports have fizzled before reaching Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk already.

You might also remember that Danica Roem serves in the Virginia State Senate—the first person to be elected and serve as openly transgender in the U.S. state legislature. Roem’s bravery and visibility are incredibly inspiring, and likely life-changing for those who could be impacted if such hateful legislation were signed into law. But we have to focus on winning majorities and support at every level, not relying upon, say, a blue state Senate to correct the hate of a red state House.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/9/2152087/-Virginia-Republicans-approve-anti-queer-bill-that-forces-schools-to-out-trans-youth-to-parents

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