LGBTQ+ legislature overwhelms the United States: for better and for worse

As of March 10, there are currently 399 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the United States for 2023 alone, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 

Some bills are against the transgender community, denying access to healthcare needed by trans individuals, and denying gender-affirming care to trans youth. Some laws also can create criminal penalties if people provide that care. 

For some, they see anti-trans legislation as a way to diminish individuals and their experience coming to terms with their gender identity. 

“The end goal of anti-trans legislation is denying transgender people the words to describe our experience, the means to express it safely, and the community and support we all deserve,” said Gillan Branstetter, communications strategist for the ACLU, on their website.

Protestors outside the Knights of Columbus pro- testing Ron DeSantis on Feb. 20, Photo by Ilana Garnica

Most bills that have passed, or are in the works to be passed, deal with educational issues in elementary and middle schools. These laws include trying to deny trans students from partaking in sports, having teachers disclose their students’ sexuality, and censoring LGBTQ+ history and conversations. 

The most notable bill is the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which was passed in Florida last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Most of what has been introduced this year has piggybacked off of this bill.

Drag has recently been under fire by many states and politicians, and as of March 2, Tennessee was the first state to pass a bill banning drag in public settings, to protect children. 

This caused a decent amount of outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and some allies. 

RuPaul, one of the most famous drag queens in the world, took to a video on Twitter to express his discontent with what currently is ongoing. 

“We know that bullies are incompetent at solving real issues. They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective,” said RuPaul. “Drag queens are the marines of the queer movement.”

He continued, “Register to vote so we can get these stunt queens out of office.”

While 399 anti-LGBTQ+ bills are troubling to the LGBTQ+ community, it is noteworthy that while those are trying to be passed, there also are landmark pro-LGBTQ+ bills that have already been signed into law. 

Minnesota passed an order on March 8 that protects access to gender-affirming healthcare.

“We want every Minnesotan to grow up feeling safe, valued, protected, celebrated and free to exist as their authentic versions of themselves,” said Gov. Tim Walz during a press conference. 

Walz continued, “ Protecting and supporting access to gender-affirming health care is essential to being a welcoming and supportive state to the community. Minnesota is going to continue to be a refuge for people who seek to provide and to receive gender affirming health care services.”

The same day, Michigan passed a bill expanding statewide nondiscrimination protections, which would include gender identity and sexual orientation. After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs it, it will make Michigan the 22nd state to codify nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people.

Many popular LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraging spreading love and fighting back to make sure that these anti-hate policies do not get the attention of the media. Even if you cannot physically go out and protest, there is power to your online presence. 

“Send emails, call your representatives, share information on social media,” said “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant, Aura Mayari, a Nashville-based drag queen in an interview with Vogue. “You can do so much online.”

Mayari continued, “How can we educate people about the value of this art form, particularly those who are so committed to their conservative beliefs? That’s something we can only figure out together.”