Florida - Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) to implement Bostock ruling. FCHR announced that discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal in the state, and will investigate claims of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, called the announcement “a huge win and cause for celebration statewide.” Georgia - State senators introduce bills restricting voter access. Eight proposed measures, including requiring an excuse to vote absentee, banning ballot drop boxes, and requiring voters to provide ID when they request an absentee ballot application, would make it more difficult for Georgians to vote. Kansas- Legislation would make it a felony for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to trans youth. Four GOP members of the Kansas State House introduced the measure on Feb. 3rd, drawing strong condemnations from the Legislature's first transgender member, its two other openly LGBTQ+ lawmakers, and from PFLAG partner Equality Kansas. Montana - Montana House kills trans healthcare ban but advances trans sports ban. HB113, the trans healthcare ban, was defeated in the House but HB112, the trans sports ban, passed the House. Both will now be considered in the Senate where PFLAGers will keep working to defeat them. New York- Governor Cuomo signs repeal of “Walking While Trans” law. A statute banning “loitering for the purpose of prostitution,” which was disproportionately used to target trans women, was repealed on Feb. 2nd. Gov. Cuomo said the repeal “is a critical step toward reforming our policing system and reducing the harassment and criminalization transgender people face simply for being themselves.” North Carolina - Several municipalities passing anti-discrimination ordinances. When North Carolina partially repealed its "bathroom bill," HB2, in 2017, local governments were forbidden from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances until Dec. 1st, 2020. Now that the restriction has lifted, Orange County and numerous municipalities have passed LGBTQ+ rights ordinances. North Dakota - Lawmakers consider a trans sports ban. HB1298 would force trans student athletes to compete as their gender assumed at birth. The President of PFLAG Bismarck testified against the bill, and PFLAG National will continue work to defeat this harmful measure. Ohio - Cleveland Metro School District Launches LGBTQ+- Inclusive School. Through a partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland is launching The School of One: Solutions for Global Issues at the LGBT Center. Considered the first of its kind in the country, The School of One at the LGBT Center is a public school focused on LGBTQ+ students within an LGBT Center. Pennsylvania - State House rejects LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination amendment. The legislature voted down an amendment codifying LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections in a proposed bill that would limit the governor’s executive power during an emergency. Puerto Rico - Governor declares state of emergency to combat anti-trans violence. Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi signed an executive order on Jan. 31st to combat a rise in violence against transgender Puerto Ricans, and to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for the trans community. South Dakota - Lawmakers consider bill preventing trans people from updating birth certificates. HB 1076 is sponsored by Rep. Fred Deutsch, who has sponsored other anti-trans measures in the past. PFLAGers in South Dakota will continue to work in coalition with other local organizations to defeat this bill. Utah - Lawmaker files HB302, which would exclude trans girls from competing in “female” sports in school. The legislation sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland would require schools or collegiate institutions to categorize all athletic activities as “male,” “female,” or “coed” and would force transgender girls to compete on “male teams.” PFLAGers in Utah--supported by PFLAG National staff--will continue to work in coalition with other local organizations to defeat this measure. | 
