While the wave of anti-trans legislation has been hard to witness, we are seeing the beginning of the fight back in the courts. Gender affirming care bans are challenged in 9 states now.
It is absolutely ridiculous that these states know that their anti-trans legislation is unconstitutional, but pass it anyway. They are increasing their budgets in anticipation of legal battles! They *know*. What an unbelievable waste of time and resources! Ugh!
I've been waiting for this push back. But I have to ask, if they know this is unconstitutional and unpopular in the first place, then what is their strategy and what is their end goal? I can't believe they are willing to run off the edge of a cliff in anti-trans hysteria. Maybe some, but not those mapping out this strategy. So what are they really up to?
An excellent point! I’d not thought about that. Glad to see the legal pushback start and I hope you all get the results that you need. But my concern is they want to overturn Bostock and set new precedents via the Conservative SCOTUS!
I'm sure they do. But I suspect the full game plan reaches much further than that. I won't wander further into supposition. But it would be helpful to know what they are up to. Perhaps, instead of simply reacting, we should consider what we are up to. Where do we want this country, and the world, to go?
1) Whether intentional or not, through media manipulation the republicans in this country have radicalized their base to an extreme degree. They can barely contain it. As such, to appease their base they have to keep doing increasingly more dramatic things. So that is factor 1.
2) For decades they have been using Abortion as their wedge issue. This was what they used to drive their base to the polls. Since they are effectively the dog that caught the car, the push against LGTBQ folks is them grasping at what to use next to rile up their base. Trans people have little political power and their existence tends to disgust a lot of people. So they amplified any perceived misstep any trans person has done and twisted it. The republicans also tried to do this with CRT, BLM, Antifa, etc.... Their attacks on trans folks is the one that was getting them the most momentum. Simple as that. THey are just feeding the rage machine at this point and hoping that it doesn't eat them. Ask Fox News how thats working out (who now ranks below OAN and NewsMax amongst conservatives in reliability)
It is such good news that these bans are being challenged in court. I hope the efforts against these bans succeed. The success of such will probably depend on the liberal/conservative makeup of the various courts in which the challenges land. Medical care should always be between doctors and their patients, not medically untrained legislators and/or judges. Also, it seems grossly unfair to deny trans patients the care that is recommended by major medical organizations, while leaving untouched the care that is given to other categories of patients
I’m not entirely sure of that, Sandra. As Erin mentioned in her post, the Texas Supreme Court has stayed the enforcement of the governor’s charge to DFPS to investigate families with children who receive gender-affirming care. I believe the Texas Supreme Court is comprised entirely of Republicans.
There should be some consequences for lawmakers who knowingly and willingly pass laws that they know are unconstitutional and waste tax money defending, all in the name of stoking hate
Cheering over here in my corner of the U.S--how anyone would think these egregious attempts to silence/alienate an entire group of people wouldn't be challenged is beyond me. Lift your voices! Share your stories! Be well, everyone! <3
Thank you, Erin. I am encouraged by your post and the outstanding legal arguments of Mr. Strangis, as we here in Texas are almost certain to see SB 14 pass in the coming days.
It must be established once and for all that legislators (and preachers) have no logical role in establishing medical guidelines, whether for transgender care, or abortion, or any other medical situation.
The key to defeating these laws lies in expert testimony; and they'd better get the best that can be found. Their experts will have to speak authoritatively on two issues: (1) that HRT is the standard of care, and (2) that HRT is not "experimental," not "unknown," not "unsafe," etc.
I think the second issue is going to be the more problematic, and they'd better be prepared for it.
Glad to hear that MT has been called to task... Sadly, my tween's close friend will be leaving the state soon, so they they can have their needs met adequately. While glad they have the resources to do so, the impact of all of this remains ever so heavy, and I am left sad to see them go, and worry for the many others left behind. At what point does our (very diseased and harming) Congress step in and do something to protect the rights of ALL? What does history say about this? I seem to recall it didn't work well when some states didn't consider all humans as citizens... lest we forget... oh wait, I think many have. And still, old white men continue to rule this land. When does it stop? :(
It is absolutely ridiculous that these states know that their anti-trans legislation is unconstitutional, but pass it anyway. They are increasing their budgets in anticipation of legal battles! They *know*. What an unbelievable waste of time and resources! Ugh!
Erin,
Thank you for all the work you do. I can’t imagine how unaware I would be without you. thank you thank you. And congratulations on your engagement. 😀
Barry
I've been waiting for this push back. But I have to ask, if they know this is unconstitutional and unpopular in the first place, then what is their strategy and what is their end goal? I can't believe they are willing to run off the edge of a cliff in anti-trans hysteria. Maybe some, but not those mapping out this strategy. So what are they really up to?
An excellent point! I’d not thought about that. Glad to see the legal pushback start and I hope you all get the results that you need. But my concern is they want to overturn Bostock and set new precedents via the Conservative SCOTUS!
I'm sure they do. But I suspect the full game plan reaches much further than that. I won't wander further into supposition. But it would be helpful to know what they are up to. Perhaps, instead of simply reacting, we should consider what we are up to. Where do we want this country, and the world, to go?
This is easy. Its a couple of things.
1) Whether intentional or not, through media manipulation the republicans in this country have radicalized their base to an extreme degree. They can barely contain it. As such, to appease their base they have to keep doing increasingly more dramatic things. So that is factor 1.
2) For decades they have been using Abortion as their wedge issue. This was what they used to drive their base to the polls. Since they are effectively the dog that caught the car, the push against LGTBQ folks is them grasping at what to use next to rile up their base. Trans people have little political power and their existence tends to disgust a lot of people. So they amplified any perceived misstep any trans person has done and twisted it. The republicans also tried to do this with CRT, BLM, Antifa, etc.... Their attacks on trans folks is the one that was getting them the most momentum. Simple as that. THey are just feeding the rage machine at this point and hoping that it doesn't eat them. Ask Fox News how thats working out (who now ranks below OAN and NewsMax amongst conservatives in reliability)
I’m sure they’re also hoping to go a case in front of the USSC and win.
I like it. It satisfies Occam's Razor.
It is such good news that these bans are being challenged in court. I hope the efforts against these bans succeed. The success of such will probably depend on the liberal/conservative makeup of the various courts in which the challenges land. Medical care should always be between doctors and their patients, not medically untrained legislators and/or judges. Also, it seems grossly unfair to deny trans patients the care that is recommended by major medical organizations, while leaving untouched the care that is given to other categories of patients
I’m not entirely sure of that, Sandra. As Erin mentioned in her post, the Texas Supreme Court has stayed the enforcement of the governor’s charge to DFPS to investigate families with children who receive gender-affirming care. I believe the Texas Supreme Court is comprised entirely of Republicans.
Thank you Erin!
Your posts are always a refreshing and factual source of hope compared to what *the rest* of the internet is typically bombarding me with.
It means a lot 💕
There should be some consequences for lawmakers who knowingly and willingly pass laws that they know are unconstitutional and waste tax money defending, all in the name of stoking hate
This is wonderful news! Thank the imaginary Lord!
Cheering over here in my corner of the U.S--how anyone would think these egregious attempts to silence/alienate an entire group of people wouldn't be challenged is beyond me. Lift your voices! Share your stories! Be well, everyone! <3
Thank you, Erin. I am encouraged by your post and the outstanding legal arguments of Mr. Strangis, as we here in Texas are almost certain to see SB 14 pass in the coming days.
Thank you for what you do Erin. Your writing helps me and gives me information to share with others.
It must be established once and for all that legislators (and preachers) have no logical role in establishing medical guidelines, whether for transgender care, or abortion, or any other medical situation.
Thank you for recognizing the work of these very worthy indispensable organizations, one which the ACLU I am proud to be a contributing member.
The key to defeating these laws lies in expert testimony; and they'd better get the best that can be found. Their experts will have to speak authoritatively on two issues: (1) that HRT is the standard of care, and (2) that HRT is not "experimental," not "unknown," not "unsafe," etc.
I think the second issue is going to be the more problematic, and they'd better be prepared for it.
Glad to hear that MT has been called to task... Sadly, my tween's close friend will be leaving the state soon, so they they can have their needs met adequately. While glad they have the resources to do so, the impact of all of this remains ever so heavy, and I am left sad to see them go, and worry for the many others left behind. At what point does our (very diseased and harming) Congress step in and do something to protect the rights of ALL? What does history say about this? I seem to recall it didn't work well when some states didn't consider all humans as citizens... lest we forget... oh wait, I think many have. And still, old white men continue to rule this land. When does it stop? :(