Anti-trans bills have proliferated in 2023, and they have targeted the trans community in an endless number of ways. Now, Kentucky HB470 seeks to combine them all into one.
It seems like a lot of the recent legislative efforts are being pushed by a few key special interest groups -- they all seem to follow the same playbook.
I wonder if the Republican sponsors even know WHAT is being proposed or are just going along as it’s politically expedient? I mean, the government overreach is so outrageous and constitutionally suspect (besides being vile and horrific) -- I’d be embarrassed to attach my name to it.
Then again, so much of the political debate on the right has devolved into the gutter, perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised.
And then there are are so many REAL issues that need to be addressed and people that actually need help that often never see the light of day.
They don't. Often they don't even read their own bills - I did a story about a Montana legislator that clearly didn't read his when asked about intersex people in his bill and claimed they weren't even in his bill.
So, state legislators, not medical professionals, are now going to decide when there is enough evidence to justify certain medical interventions. So then they, in their superior wisdom and expertise, will be constantly monitoring the medical literature, and when they believe the evidence is sufficient, they will pass a new bill authorizing the intervention. Hmmm.
As if healthcare isn't bad enough already and as if there isn't already enough gatekeeping for transgender healthcare. Of the legislation that is getting passed, I suspect, as I do with anti-abortion bills (e.g. "conservative" people start losing their own daughters because they can't get a D&C after a miscarriage and go septic), that it won't be long before the rules affect cis patients as well (so MANY, MANY conditions--uh, isn't healthcare for menopause "gender" care?). We've moved 3 times in 5 years to land in a state where we aren't even asked for "letters"--we just get care. All my long life it also dawns on me now and again, "...why don't we just move these people to these states and these people to these states..." a thought I hate myself for, but find myself moving kids in with me and in with my kiddo and "undergrounding" well-known and outspoken families (we're one of those, too) to "safe" states so the death threats stop. The couple of providers we use "just believe" these new patients and we're able to get care. ALEC has to be behind the rapidly written bills--it's hard wondering why there isn't such a machine to run the bills through to fight them and it's also frustrating to see the WH press conference the other day stating the administration is "behind" our community. My questions are "How?" and "Where?" Apologies for the rant. I'm about to go post some good news over in one of the NYT posts so y'all can see a small win after banging loudly on the door of The American Prospect/The Lever for them to say SOMETHING about the media's role in making things worse.
I’m hoping that by cobbling together this, as described, “Frankenstein” legislation that it’s too cumbersome and broad to get passed.
Certainly hoping that TN does not hold closed door sessions without public comment. That’s a sure sign of a totalitarianism.
Not to nitpick, but I thought that republicans were pro business. Allowing lawsuits up to 30 years later will stifle business and drive doctors to other states. All residents will suffer.
Someone recently commented here along the lines of so much for smaller government.
I think it’s worth noting, as awful as this fucking bill is, that Kentucky currently has a Democratic Governor. Is the intention of this bill to be as cruel as possible knowing that the senators signing off on it won’t even have to defend it? And can a governor’s veto be overridden in Kentucky?
It seems like a lot of the recent legislative efforts are being pushed by a few key special interest groups -- they all seem to follow the same playbook.
I wonder if the Republican sponsors even know WHAT is being proposed or are just going along as it’s politically expedient? I mean, the government overreach is so outrageous and constitutionally suspect (besides being vile and horrific) -- I’d be embarrassed to attach my name to it.
Then again, so much of the political debate on the right has devolved into the gutter, perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised.
And then there are are so many REAL issues that need to be addressed and people that actually need help that often never see the light of day.
Sad state of affairs.
They don't. Often they don't even read their own bills - I did a story about a Montana legislator that clearly didn't read his when asked about intersex people in his bill and claimed they weren't even in his bill.
I have no proof, but I bet they go along with anything that gets them donations.
One (probably not unintentional) side effect of banning trans people from society will be rigid gender norms policed by the government.
Definitely intentional! The more they try to codify it, the stronger that push gets.
Honestly I can’t even read this piece the headline makes me want to cryscreamsmash
It felt like writing an Onion headline
I don’t know how you do it every day. I’m grateful for it. I hope you take good care of yourself
The Onion heard you. https://www.theonion.com/it-is-journalism-s-sacred-duty-to-endanger-the-lives-of-1850126997
So, state legislators, not medical professionals, are now going to decide when there is enough evidence to justify certain medical interventions. So then they, in their superior wisdom and expertise, will be constantly monitoring the medical literature, and when they believe the evidence is sufficient, they will pass a new bill authorizing the intervention. Hmmm.
As if healthcare isn't bad enough already and as if there isn't already enough gatekeeping for transgender healthcare. Of the legislation that is getting passed, I suspect, as I do with anti-abortion bills (e.g. "conservative" people start losing their own daughters because they can't get a D&C after a miscarriage and go septic), that it won't be long before the rules affect cis patients as well (so MANY, MANY conditions--uh, isn't healthcare for menopause "gender" care?). We've moved 3 times in 5 years to land in a state where we aren't even asked for "letters"--we just get care. All my long life it also dawns on me now and again, "...why don't we just move these people to these states and these people to these states..." a thought I hate myself for, but find myself moving kids in with me and in with my kiddo and "undergrounding" well-known and outspoken families (we're one of those, too) to "safe" states so the death threats stop. The couple of providers we use "just believe" these new patients and we're able to get care. ALEC has to be behind the rapidly written bills--it's hard wondering why there isn't such a machine to run the bills through to fight them and it's also frustrating to see the WH press conference the other day stating the administration is "behind" our community. My questions are "How?" and "Where?" Apologies for the rant. I'm about to go post some good news over in one of the NYT posts so y'all can see a small win after banging loudly on the door of The American Prospect/The Lever for them to say SOMETHING about the media's role in making things worse.
I’m hoping that by cobbling together this, as described, “Frankenstein” legislation that it’s too cumbersome and broad to get passed.
Certainly hoping that TN does not hold closed door sessions without public comment. That’s a sure sign of a totalitarianism.
Not to nitpick, but I thought that republicans were pro business. Allowing lawsuits up to 30 years later will stifle business and drive doctors to other states. All residents will suffer.
Someone recently commented here along the lines of so much for smaller government.
I think it’s worth noting, as awful as this fucking bill is, that Kentucky currently has a Democratic Governor. Is the intention of this bill to be as cruel as possible knowing that the senators signing off on it won’t even have to defend it? And can a governor’s veto be overridden in Kentucky?