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The following weekly digest is written and compiled by the Trans Formations Project, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis currently sweeping the United States. You can follow their work and latest updates via Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr, and Facebook.
Hello readers. It’s Friday, October 4, 2024.
As a reminder, legislative sessions are different for each state — you can keep track of your state's legislative session here. Currently, bill progressions have slowed or halted entirely following the conclusion of legislative sessions in most states.
This week: no new bills were introduced, no bills progressed.
To note: If you notice the newsletter looks cut off, or you have issues viewing the newsletter, click the small "View Entire Message" button at the very bottom of your email. You can also check our website, where we keep an archive of every published newsletter. Thank you for supporting TFP's work!
Editorial Feature
Editorial Preview: The Cass Report
Next week, we’ll begin a multi-segment feature on the Cass Report, Dr. Hilary Cass’ April 2024 review of the U.K. National Health Service’s (NHS) gender identity care. The NHS commissioned this independent review following an increase in referrals to gender identity clinics, up significantly since 2014.
Dr. Cass’ report is subdivided into sections: approach; context; understanding the patient cohort; clinical approach & clinical management; and service model. In these sections, Cass breaks down the existing NHS model for providing gender-affirming care, focusing in particular on the needs of minor patients. Cass concludes her review with thirty-two recommendations that she believes will improve future NHS gender-affirming services.
In our first editorial segment, next week, we’ll break down the report in full, analyzing the rhetoric and arguments used. Dr. Cass’ report has faced both criticism from trans activists and praise from medical professionals, positioning it as a controversial document in the ongoing fight for trans healthcare rights. The report’s effects have been far-reaching, impacting policy worldwide. In our second and third editorial segments, soon to follow, we’ll outline the influence this report has had on legislation in the U.K. and U.S., respectively.
The Things We Won
- In a September 30 article, CBS highlighted the work of San Francisco-based LGBT Asylum Project, an organization that assists LGBTQ+ individuals seeking asylum in the United States. In operation since 2015, the LGBT Asylum Project provides free legal services to asylum seekers fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. A report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has tracked an increase in LGBTQ+ refugees worldwide. To date, the LGBT Asylum Project has helped over 150 people gain legal status in the U.S. For more information about their work and how to get involved, click here.
What the Heck Else Happened This Week?
TW: Brief discussion of suicide/self-harm in the last news story in this section.
- On Monday, September 30, three parents and one grandparent filed a lawsuit against a Bow, New Hampshire school district, claiming that their First Amendment rights were violated. On September 17, the plaintiffs were removed from school property for wearing pink “XX” armbands during a soccer game to protest the inclusion of a transgender athlete on the opposing team. The plaintiffs were not permitted to return to the game and were subsequently served no-trespass orders (which have since expired). The Institute of Free Speech—an organization that has filed lawsuits on behalf of Moms for Liberty and Gays against Groomers—will represent the plaintiffs in court.
- On Monday, September 23, ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal’s lawsuit against MO SB49 went to trial. The bill, a gender-affirming care ban for minors, was signed into law in 2023 by Missouri Governor Mike Parson. Plaintiffs plan to argue that the law is unconstitutional and subject to strict scrutiny, given that it directly discriminates against transgender individuals. The case is currently ongoing and can be followed here.
- A recent study in the journal Nature Human Behavior tracking suicide risk for transgender and non-binary (TGNB) people found an increase in suicide attempts among young people aged 13-17 and 13-24 (with sample size groups n=35,196 and n=61,240, respectively). The researchers linked this trend to an increase in anti-trans legislation. The enaction of state-level anti-trans laws increased incidents of past-year suicide attempts in the sample groups by 7–72%.
Mental Health Resources
We know that staying up-to-date with anti-trans legislation may be distressing to our readers. If you or someone you know needs support, here are a few affirming resources that you can reach out to:
- If you need support or are in crisis, you can contact the Trans Lifeline hotline at (877) 565-8860.
- The Trans Lifeline is run by trans people, for trans people, and does not engage in non-consensual active rescue, meaning they will not call law enforcement without your consent.
- You can connect with a Trevor Project crisis counselor via phone 1 (866) 488-7386, chat, or text (Text ‘START’ to 678-678).
- Note: This resource could utilize non-consensual active rescue, including law enforcement, 911, and first responders.
- You can call the LGBT National Hotline at (888) 843-4564 or connect with a peer via chat.
- The LGBT National Help Center will NOT call other suicide hotlines, law enforcement, 911, or rescue services.
- BlackLine is a BIPOC LGBTQ+ support line, run by BIPOC folks, for BIPOC folks. This resource does not involve law enforcement or state agencies. You can call 1 (800) 604-5841 to chat with a peer.
- For folks under 25, you can call the LGBT National Youth Talkline at (800) 246-7743.
- The LGBT National Help Center will NOT call other suicide hotlines, law enforcement, 911, or rescue services.
- Adults (folks 18+) can text the THRIVE Lifeline, which is trans-led and operated. Text "THRIVE" to (313) 662-8209 to begin your conversation.
- THRIVE Lifeline does NOT call emergency services for people who are at risk of harming themselves without their consent.
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