Hello,
Republican lawmakers have launched an all-out, nationwide assault on LGBTQ+ equality this year—with a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, and a particular focus on attacking trans children.
Take a look:
FIRST, in Texas, Governor Gregg Abbott demanded teachers, nurses, doctors, and other licensed professionals to report parents who give their children life-saving gender-affirming care—calling it child abuse. And he threatened criminal legal consequences for those who don’t endanger trans kids by reporting their families to the authorities.
THEN, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law that bans trans girls and women in the state from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity.
NOW, Utah lawmakers have also just banned transgender youth athletes from playing on girls teams. The law was too extreme for the Republican governor, who vetoed it and said it was wrong to pass this bill when only four trans kids were playing high school sports in the whole state: “Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are a part of something.” But the GOP legislature overrode his veto, making Utah the 12th state with a ban like this on the books.
Criminalizing gender-affirming care is clearly discriminatory, and it damages the mental health of trans children who are already vulnerable. Not only do actions like this jeopardize safe spaces, they also enlist the public as vigilantes to do the bidding of conservative lawmakers.
Peter will never stop fighting for the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ+ community. He’s building a Vermont for all of us. He helped pass the Equality Act in the House as a co-sponsor, and he’ll fight to get it over the finish line as senator. But if Republicans flip this targeted seat and take back the Senate, Mitch McConnell will make sure there is never a vote to protect LGBTQ+ rights.
It’s never been more important to elect a progressive like Peter to the Senate. This race could be the difference between more discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and creating a safe space for our youth to thrive.
If you’re all in to fight back against discriminatory legislation, add your name right away.
Thank you,
Team Welch
