Self-care note: While some of the following stories celebrate and affirm LGBTQ+ people, many cover legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and nonbinary youth. Please be kind to yourself and use your discretion while reading this section. Advisory: State news is representative but not exhaustive due to space constraints; feel free to forward news about your state to [email protected] to consider for inclusion. California - Lawmakers introduce bill to ban forced outing policies. AB1955, called the SAFETY Act, would invalidate forced outing policies that have been adopted already as well as banning new ones, and would also protect teachers from any retaliation for supporting a trans student. Nineteen PFLAG Chapters in California, as well as PFLAG National, endorsed the SAFETY Act. PFLAG was also proud to have a parent in attendance at the press conference where the bill was introduced. Louisiana - Legislature passes anti-trans facilities ban. HB608, which bans trans women from accessing bathrooms, locker rooms, dorms, and other state-run facilities, passed the Senate. It now heads to the governor for his signature. Maine - Maine Principals' Association adopts trans-inclusive athletics policy. Under the new policy, transgender students also no longer have to seek permission from Maine Principals' Association to play on a sports team aligning with their gender identity and schools will be required to give equal opportunity for all students to participate in athletics. New Hampshire - Legislature passes several anti-trans bills. HB1205, an anti-trans athlete ban, HB1312, a “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” bill, and HB619, a gender-affirming surgery ban, are all headed to Governor Sununu’s desk. South Carolina - Gov. McMaster signs gender-affirming care ban into law. H4624 takes immediate effect, making South Carolina the 25th state to restrict or ban such care for trans and non-binary minors. Virginia - Gov. Youngkin vetoes LGBTQ+ inclusive anti-bullying bill. Lawmakers passed HB536 earlier this year, which explicitly included LGBTQ+ students in state anti-bullying laws. | 
