“[The] DOJ’s intent in issuing the subpoenas is not enforcement of the specific prohibitions of those laws but the chilling of medical care with which the administration disagrees ideologically.”
For those wondering why Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado didn’t join the suit, it’s most likely because those states collectively already have their own lawsuit against Trump over this that was filed months ago and is still ongoing.
I’m really glad to see MI, PA, DE and NV on this list (these are all states that are light blue in Erin’s map). Even so, I’m worried that this suit will just get squished when/if the inevitable appeals take it to SCOTUS. Their 6-3 on Skirmetti signals to all of us that they are terminally hostile to trans rights in 2025.
Skrmetti is essentially a states' rights decision. It allows states to discriminate against trans minors in medical care. This suit is also a states' rights case - a decision in favor of the plaintiffs would allow the states in question (and presumably the rest of the states) to set their own standards of care for trans minors. By the logic of Skrmetti, they should be able to, if the Supreme Court follows its own precedents. But that's a big if.
I agree, and if that’s how it were to play out, then yes I wouldn’t be too concerned about trans people in blue states (though trans individuals in red states would still be screwed). However, the right-wing courts and administration seem to want it both ways on states rights - happy to support them when it fits with their ideologically driven agenda (i.e. when Arkansas passed the first GAC ban in 2021) but quick to oppose states rights when it doesn’t fit their ideology so nicely.
Thank you to these states, and thank you all, for continuing to fight for what is right: the freedom of every citizen and the absolute right to seek their personal joy and truth. Standing strong with you all! ♥️
Any reason why the states aren't in alphabetical order within the legal document? They fall in line by the second half of the list but it starts off fairly ramshackle.
The first half is likely listed in the order of who contributed most to the brief, and the second half is likely an alphabetical list of the states who signed onto the brief without much active support in writing it.
The bitter little bitch in me wants to shout "𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳?" at these Democrats- but I know we need all the help we can get, so I'll be a good little girl and send them thank-you letters for showing up now instead. The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" definitely applied here. Past tense. Now we're left with putting tons of cure on backorder, delivery not in any way shape or form guaranteed, because it's far too late for the 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 thing.
For those of us living in states that have signed on to this case, but haven't yet passed any strong legal protections of their own- or have taken action to protect adult trans care, but not youth care- write your legislators and governors. Ask them: 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵? They've chosen a side, finally... so now's the time for them to double down and 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵 to it. Let them know our eyes are on them, and that we expect action in the 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦houses as well as in the courthouses. Showing backbone is what's going to win them their next elections, if anything will- not equivocation, and 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 not capitulation (looking at 𝘺𝘰𝘶, Gavin).
The alternative is giving up and letting those in power write the narrative. But we only lose if we give up. Even if unfavorable rulings are a result, it's not over unless we stop trying. In the UK, they got a devastating ruling but still they fight back. Challenging injustice shows we are still here and don't accept others' definition of who we are. Don't give in to despair. Remain strong and joyfully defiant.
The GOP have legitimized their lies about trans people through spurious medical reviews and introducing bills based on those lies. Why aren't blue states using the same tactics? We have truth on our side. We need to introduce bills that show that trans people are on the intersex spectrum , and/or use true facts on chromosomes that lay people can easily understand to show how gender is not an either or. Nothing in nature is perfect or cookie cutter. Please use bills in blue states to push the real science about transgender people!
For those wondering why Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado didn’t join the suit, it’s most likely because those states collectively already have their own lawsuit against Trump over this that was filed months ago and is still ongoing.
I wondered about that- thank you for sharing.
They will not be satisfied until we are either dead or back in the closet. Well, they can fuck right off. We are not going anywhere.
I’m really glad to see MI, PA, DE and NV on this list (these are all states that are light blue in Erin’s map). Even so, I’m worried that this suit will just get squished when/if the inevitable appeals take it to SCOTUS. Their 6-3 on Skirmetti signals to all of us that they are terminally hostile to trans rights in 2025.
Skrmetti is essentially a states' rights decision. It allows states to discriminate against trans minors in medical care. This suit is also a states' rights case - a decision in favor of the plaintiffs would allow the states in question (and presumably the rest of the states) to set their own standards of care for trans minors. By the logic of Skrmetti, they should be able to, if the Supreme Court follows its own precedents. But that's a big if.
I agree, and if that’s how it were to play out, then yes I wouldn’t be too concerned about trans people in blue states (though trans individuals in red states would still be screwed). However, the right-wing courts and administration seem to want it both ways on states rights - happy to support them when it fits with their ideologically driven agenda (i.e. when Arkansas passed the first GAC ban in 2021) but quick to oppose states rights when it doesn’t fit their ideology so nicely.
I'm more than a little worried about that too.
Well, it’s about time. This response by our allies is long overdue.
Thank you to these states, and thank you all, for continuing to fight for what is right: the freedom of every citizen and the absolute right to seek their personal joy and truth. Standing strong with you all! ♥️
Thank goodness. I hope they prevail. Hurrah, Michigan is one of the plaintiffs.
Any reason why the states aren't in alphabetical order within the legal document? They fall in line by the second half of the list but it starts off fairly ramshackle.
The first half is likely listed in the order of who contributed most to the brief, and the second half is likely an alphabetical list of the states who signed onto the brief without much active support in writing it.
The bitter little bitch in me wants to shout "𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳?" at these Democrats- but I know we need all the help we can get, so I'll be a good little girl and send them thank-you letters for showing up now instead. The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" definitely applied here. Past tense. Now we're left with putting tons of cure on backorder, delivery not in any way shape or form guaranteed, because it's far too late for the 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 thing.
For those of us living in states that have signed on to this case, but haven't yet passed any strong legal protections of their own- or have taken action to protect adult trans care, but not youth care- write your legislators and governors. Ask them: 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵? They've chosen a side, finally... so now's the time for them to double down and 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵 to it. Let them know our eyes are on them, and that we expect action in the 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦houses as well as in the courthouses. Showing backbone is what's going to win them their next elections, if anything will- not equivocation, and 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 not capitulation (looking at 𝘺𝘰𝘶, Gavin).
So what? The judiciary is captured. I’m worried that this will result in a ruling that harms us even more.
I know. Fighting back is always risky. We have less and less remaining to lose.
The less we have to lose is all the more reason to fight back and fight hard—not less.
The alternative is giving up and letting those in power write the narrative. But we only lose if we give up. Even if unfavorable rulings are a result, it's not over unless we stop trying. In the UK, they got a devastating ruling but still they fight back. Challenging injustice shows we are still here and don't accept others' definition of who we are. Don't give in to despair. Remain strong and joyfully defiant.
I’m glad states are pushing back!
What’s the best way to reach you regarding the northern Virginia school districts fight over Title IX?
https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-finds-five-northern-virginia-school-districts-violation-of-title-ix
Massachusetts, represent!
Where is the list of states?
It's in the image at the end of the article. Happy to see my state of New Mexico on there! 🙏
The GOP have legitimized their lies about trans people through spurious medical reviews and introducing bills based on those lies. Why aren't blue states using the same tactics? We have truth on our side. We need to introduce bills that show that trans people are on the intersex spectrum , and/or use true facts on chromosomes that lay people can easily understand to show how gender is not an either or. Nothing in nature is perfect or cookie cutter. Please use bills in blue states to push the real science about transgender people!
Damn grateful that our state is listed, MA, and I knew our AG Andrea Campbell will fight for trans rights always.
There was not a link to view all the states that have signed on to the lawsuit, at the end of your letter. Would you mind posting it?
Thank God, NJ.