Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(62,646 posts)
Sat Jan 13, 2024, 04:44 PM Jan 2024

West Virginia Republicans want to ban transgender people from public spaces, call them 'obscene'

Source: The Advocate

West Virginia Republicans want to ban transgender people from public spaces, call them ‘obscene’

One bill would define trans people as “obscene matter” and make them keep their distance from schools, while another would force mental health professionals to “cure” transgender people.

BY CHRISTOPHER WIGGINS
JANUARY 13 2024 2:11 PM EST

Republicans in West Virginia have upped the hostility among those on the right toward transgender people. There, the LGBTQ+ community is currently grappling with significant legislative challenges that have the potential to impact the rights and lives of transgender individuals drastically.

Multiple draconian bills were introduced in the state’s legislature this week, with advocates drawing attention to their severe implications. One forces mental health professionals to “cure” transgender people from their gender identity, and another categorizes transgender people as “obscene material,” essentially making transgender individuals’ existence in many public spaces illegal, independent journalist Erin Reed, who specializes in transgender-related legal coverage, reports. Yet another criminalizes their presence near schools.

“Trans people know they are — there is nothing to ‘cure.’ The truth is, trans people of all ages are living happy, complete, and joyful lives — this contradicts the false narrative created around our community by extremist politicians," West Virginia activist Ash Orr told Reed. "This piece of legislation attacks our most basic values of privacy and control over our own bodies, and is based on misleading or even outright false ideas.”

Orr added: “This is a blatant attempt to criminalize and erase the trans community of West Virginia.”

Senate Bill 194 is particularly alarming. This proposed legislation seeks to impose a total ban on gender-affirming care for transgender individuals up to the age of 21. It also mandates that therapists and social workers in the state attempt to “cure” transgender identity. This bill extends the reach of a previous ban on gender-affirming care for those under 18, passed in 2023, and categorizes being transgender as a “sexual deviation.” Additionally, it broadens the definition of minors to include individuals up to age 21.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender-obscene-cured-west-virginia

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
West Virginia Republicans want to ban transgender people from public spaces, call them 'obscene' (Original Post) Eugene Jan 2024 OP
would love to ban rs from public spaces . snork. AllaN01Bear Jan 2024 #1
The only obscene people are the Republicans aiming to pass such hateful laws. Lonestarblue Jan 2024 #2
Sounds like some WV Republicans want State supported ignorance. Freethinker65 Jan 2024 #3
That's sick. hildegaard28 Jan 2024 #4
I don't consider Republicans human myself vercetti2021 Jan 2024 #6
How would they know without a 100% genitalia inspection, statewide? rurallib Jan 2024 #5
The Republicans are Devolving LostOne4Ever Jan 2024 #7
Repukes in WV bernieb Jan 2024 #8

hildegaard28

(395 posts)
4. That's sick.
Sat Jan 13, 2024, 05:53 PM
Jan 2024

Republicans don't even consider transgender people to be people. They're downgrading them to "matter" to justify their future pogroms against them. The dehumanization of this poor, marginalized group by Republicans is sickening.

rurallib

(63,195 posts)
5. How would they know without a 100% genitalia inspection, statewide?
Sat Jan 13, 2024, 07:23 PM
Jan 2024

and how would they keep it current?

Or - here's an idea -

Tattoo all transgendered people. Yeah that's a great idea for the humor impaired

LostOne4Ever

(9,596 posts)
7. The Republicans are Devolving
Sun Jan 14, 2024, 05:23 AM
Jan 2024

This is just going to get worse and worse until they hit rock bottom. I just pray not too many of us are hurt by then.

bernieb

(63 posts)
8. Repukes in WV
Sun Jan 14, 2024, 03:55 PM
Jan 2024

Two thoughts after I read this: 1) I have a transgender grandchild. I will do anything to protect their rights and the rights of others.
2) How many of these legislators might be trans. It seems as if when any of this stuff starts, someone supporting such legislation is LGBT+.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»West Virginia Republicans...