
LGBTQ+ Rights & Trans Bans Tracker
Demand your reps take action on LGBTQIA+ rights
Take Action On LGBTQ+ Rights & Trans Bans
Causes.com is your source for up-to-date info on LGBTQIA+ rights and efforts to expand or limit them.
The LGBTQIA+ community is facing an array of challenges today, from bans on drag shows in Tennessee to a national "Don't Say Gay" bill. It's never been more important to take a stand.
Be sure to take action now by telling your reps your stance on LGBTQIA+ equality and anti-trans laws.
LGBTQIA+ rights, transgender bans, and gender-affirming care—get all the latest updates here...
House Passes Anti-Trans 'Save Women's Sports' Bill
- In April, the GOP-backed 'Save Women's Sports' bill passed the House 219-203, with Democrat lawmakers calling it an example of "transgender bullying."
- The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act aims to prevent transgender women and girls who were assigned male at birth from competing in women's sports.
- In a recent poll by the Washington Post and the University of Maryland, 55% of Americans opposed trans athletes in women's sports at the high school level, while 58% opposed it at the college level.
- Over two dozen states have banned transgender youth from playing on girls' and women's teams since 2021.
How do you feel about the GOP-led ban on transgender athletes?
Silenced Trans Rep. Zooey Zephyr Sues Republican Lawmakers
- Montana transgender Rep. Zooey Zephyr filed a lawsuit against the Republican lawmakers who silenced her for defending trans rights.
- Zephyr announced that the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana and the law partners of Beck, Amsden, and Staples, and Mike Black filed suit in state court.
- Zephyr said of the Republican move to censure her:
"The effort by House leadership to silence me and my constituents is a disturbing and terrifying affront to democracy itself."
Tell House Speaker Rep. Matt Regier to stop silencing Rep. Zooey Zephyr
Disney Sues Gov. DeSantis in Ongoing Conflict
- Disney has sued Florida Gov. DeSantis and his hand-picked oversight board for weaponizing his political position to punish the company for their opposition to his policies, particularly their disagreement with his "Don't Say Gay" bill.
- Disney has accused the governor of infringing upon their free speech rights.
- The lawsuit was filed immediately after DeSantis' oversight committee took steps to regain its power over Disney and the special tax district in which it is located. Disney's lawsuit is seeking an injunction to block the oversight committee's actions.
Do you support Disney's lawsuit?
MT Trans Rep. Zooey Zephyr Silenced by House Republicans
- Montana's first transgender lawmaker Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a Democrat from Missoula, has been forbidden to speak or participate in House proceedings by Republican lawmakers for the second week.
- Republican House Speaker Rep. Matt Reiger has refused to acknowledge Zephyr or let her talk since last Tuesday when she warned that Republican lawmakers would have "blood on their hands" if they banned gender-affirming care.
- This is the latest in an ongoing struggle between Zephyr and Republican lawmakers who are silencing her over her support for gender-affirming care for minors and for criticizing anti-trans legislation.
- On April 25, Rep. Zephyr shared on Twitter a letter she received informing her that during Wednesday's floor session, there would be a motion to either censure or expel her. After this, Rep. Reiger canceled the House's floor session.
Tell House Speaker Rep. Matt Regier to stop silencing Rep. Zooey Zephyr
Florida Expands 'Don't Say Gay' Bill to K-12 Grades
- At the request of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Board of Education expanded its "Don't Say Gay" bill to apply to all grades, barring talk of sexual orientation and gender identity.
- These topics can only be discussed as part of opt-in reproductive health instruction. The rule states:
"[Educators] shall not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in grades four through 12 on sexual orientation or gender identity unless such instruction is either expressly required by state academic standards … or is part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student's parent has the option to have his or her student not attend."
- Parents will be allowed to sue school districts over violations, and educators who violate the law can lose their jobs and have their teaching licenses revoked.
Do you support the "Don't Say Gay" bill?
- Disney has referenced an obscure royal clause to render Gov. DeSantis' decision to take control of Disney's theme park district ineffective.
- Disney ran the district for over half a century until DeSantis made a move to take control of the district, citing Disney's defiance of state sex education laws and Disney's criticism of the Parental Rights in Education Act, known colloquially as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
- Disney has bypassed the Republican board selected by DeSantis by using an archaic covenant known as a "royal lives clause", which has been used in legal documentation since the late 17th century.
Do you support DeSantis' bill?
Gov. DeSantis To Expand Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is moving towards expanding the controversial law known as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” banning teaching about sex education and gender identity in schools.
- DeSantis seeks to bar all grades from talking about these subjects, even through senior year of high school.
- The Parental Rights in Education Act was passed last year and banned these topics from kindergarten to third grade.
- The governor and other supporting Republicans say the law protects children from inappropriate content that should not be in the classroom, including language around sexual orientation, gender expression, identity, sex-ed, and any “sexually-oriented” programs or materials —- i.e., pride flag, pamphlets on gender dysphoria, drag queen story hours, and more.
Georgia Gov. Kemp Bans Gender-Affirming Care For Transgender Youth
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill that would ban most gender-affirming care, including hormone replacement therapies and surgeries, for transgender youth under 18.
- Lawmakers gave their final approval to Senate Bill 140 with a 31-21 vote.
- The bill became one of the most controversial and divisive of Georgia's 2023 legislative session and Kemp signed the bill in private.
- The law takes effect on July 1 and minors who are currently receiving gender-affirming care will not be impacted by the law.
Do you support the growing bans against transgender youth?
Lawmakers Introduce Record Number of Anti-LGBTQIA+ Bills
- U.S. government officials have proposed a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills so far this year, with 150 pieces of legislation being pre-filed, introduced, or passed in 23 states.
- In total, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 371 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, many of which are targeting transgender communities.
- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) was the first to enact a gender-affirming care act of 2023. The ban does not impact trans youth previously diagnosed with gender dysphoria but places an indefinite ban on access to hormone therapy for future patients.
- The bills focus on a variety of targets, including but not limited to bathroom access, eligibility to play on sports teams, health care services, and gender-affirming care.
Contact your reps and demand they take action on LGBTQIA+ rights
Transgender Youth Experiencing Mental Health Crisis
- In 2021, the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth crisis organization, found that 25% of the 1,717 Black transgender and nonbinary youth they interviewed had attempted suicide in the past year.
- Over one-third of the Black trans youth polled, aged 13 to 24, have experienced homelessness or been kicked out of their home. In comparison, 24% of Black cisgender queer youth reported the same experience.
- Roughly 40% of respondents have been physically threatened or harmed, and 77% have been discriminated against due to their gender identity and sexual orientation. Nearly 45% of trans youth have experienced cyberbullying, and one-third said they feel unsafe seeing medical professionals, even when sick.
Speak out on anti-trans bills. Contact your Representatives today.
Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill To Increase Control of Disney World
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill earlier this week to take control of Walt Disney World’s municipal services and development for the special district surrounding the park. DeSantis said the company “crossed the line” by opposing his "Don’t Say Gay" bill.
- DeSantis hopes that while the board handles infrastructure and maintenance, it also stops Disney from “inject[ing] woke ideologies.”
- Opponents say the bill seems to be a part of a growing feud between Disney and DeSantis. DeSantis has said he’s fighting the “woke indoctrination” of the company, including Disney’s move to require proof of vaccination, mandate masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and make changes to the park to promote diversity.
- Critics are stressing that DeSantis’ bill is an attempt to push his own ideological agenda and a dangerous step towards punishing entities that exercise their First Amendment right to criticize his positions.
Do you support DeSantis' bill?
Tennessee Bans Drag Shows
- Tennessee lawmakers recently passed a bill prohibiting drag performances in front of children at public and private venues.
- The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Chris Todd and was signed into law by Republican Governor Bill Lee. This is one of twenty such bills targeting drag performances that are being introduced in the U.S.
- The Tennessee House also passed a law restricting minors' access to gender-affirming health care, placing the state at the helm of a Republican-led effort across the nation to restrict LGBTQ+ rights.
Is Tennessee's bill unconstitutional? Tell the governor...
Spain Approves Menstrual Leave & Transgender Rights
- Spain approved legislation to expand abortion access for teenagers, transgender rights nationwide, and paid menstrual leave for workers.
- In a separate package, lawmakers strengthened transgender rights, allowing anyone over 16 to change their legally registered gender without medical approval.
- Teenagers between the ages of 12-13 will need a judge’s authorization, and those between 14 and 16 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Before the new measure was introduced, transgender people needed a medical diagnosis for gender dysphoria.
- This package also bans conversion therapy and allows state-provided support for LGBTQIA+ women seeking IVF treatment.
Should more countries do the same?
FDA Eases ‘Outdated’ Restrictions on Blood Donations From Gay Men
- After years of protests from activists and blood bank workers, the FDA has proposed easing the restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men who are in monogamous relationships, allowing them to donate blood for the first time since 1985.
- Under new guidelines announced by the FDA, gay and bisexual men will no longer have to abstain from sex to donate blood.
- Any individual, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, who has had anal sex with a new partner or multiple partners will have to wait three months before donating blood. The FDA’s revised approach focuses less on a person’s sexual identity and more on the sexual behaviors that increase the risk of HIV.
Contact the FDA with your reaction
Utah Bans Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
- Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox (R) has signed a bill that bans transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming health care.
- Senate Bill 16 prohibits surgery for all transgender youth and disallows hormone treatment for transgender minors who have not been professionally diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
- SB16 also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a review of the medical evidence of the efficacy of hormonal treatments for transgender patients.
The bill was sponsored by Utah Sen. Mike Kennedy (R), a family doctor who argues that government oversight is necessary to protect youth.
Should more states consider bans?
Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act
- President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law in December 2022, protecting same-sex and interracial marriage in the U.S.
- Biden spoke before a crowd of thousands on the South Lawn of the White House, celebrating the new bipartisan landmark bill. He said:
"For most of our nation’s history, we denied interracial couples and same sex couples from these protections. It failed to treat them with equal dignity and respect. And now, this law requires an interracial marriage and same-sex marriage must be recognized as legal in every state in the nation...The road to this moment has been long, but those who believe in equality and justice – you never gave up."
- The new law negates the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
How do you feel about the Respect for Marriage Act?
BILL: National "Don't Say Gay" Bill
- Introduced by House Republicans, the "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act" prohibits using federal funds to develop, implement, or facilitate any program, event, or media that introduces gender identity, sexual orientation, or "related subjects" to children under the age of 10. It was inspired by Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill.
- A pediatric hospital could be sued for having a pride flag or a medical pamphlet about gender dysphoria.
- A library could be sued for having a drag-queen story hour and transgender workers could be fired for their identity.
- Bill advocates say that "woke gender ideology" in the classroom and gender transitions without the knowledge of and consent of parents prove an "alternative leftist agenda."
- Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) said:
"The Democrat Party and their cultural allies are on a misguided crusade to immerse young children in sexual imagery and radical gender ideology."
Do you support the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act?
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Stop regulating our bodies and start regulating guns.
Attacks on LGBTQ+ rights are attacks on human rights and the rights of all citizens. Congress should stand for the rights of citizens, but seems to only stand for money (and then only if they get a cut). We elected people to represent the voters, not the party!
Vote against harming LGBTQ Community on ALL levels
The LGBT community has been under attack from right wing religious zealots. Parents rights are under attack and lives are in danger from these bigots.
These discriminatory practices must be stopped. Please save lives and stop the religious zealots from hurting people who were born differently than the typical white straight person.
I support Trans rights and recognition of equal opportunity and treatment for Trans persons.
In America, we're supposed to lead by extending virtues such as freedom and equality to all people. Especially citizens. Regardless of sex, gender, identity, political ideology, religion, race or ethnic group, age, or other factors. Please vote in-kind.
WHY IS THERE AN ATTACK ON THE DIVERSE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY!? The strength of our nation is because of the diversity of it's people.
All of these measures to restrict people based on fear is absurd. Our country is being threatened by much more pressing issues than LGBTQ+ and Trans people. Focusing on these issues takes this country backwards as the world moves forward.
Our lawmakers need to focus on the threats to our economy such as the efforts to make the US Dollar a secondary currency for oil payments, Kenya to stop using USD, India canceling payments in USD, BRIC and South Africa developing a new currency. THOSE ARE JUST A COUPLE THINGS LAWMAKERS NEED TO FOCUS ON TO KEEP OUR STANDING IN THE WORLD!
WHO CARES ABOUT TRANS PEOPLE????
LGBTQIA+ ARE PEOPLE TOO AND SHOULD BE RESPECTED!!!!!!
For those that can't see it this is what's really happening here, this is a smoke screen something to divert peoples attention and the fact that more children are being shot to death in this country, death in droves from more than from anything else. Nothing even comes close accidents, cancer, viruses, birth defects, nothing kills more children than guns. If the Republicans can get people thinking about the "gay people doing gay things" they feel they can take their minds off of the simple fact that nothing kills more children in this country than Republicans. This is an old sick game the Trump invented point the finger at the other guy point the finger at the other thing no matter how ugly what you're doing yourself is. It's also the playbook of another man from history Adolf Hitler.
How many bad ideas can the Republican Party come up with, just when you think they had ran out of bad ideas they succeeded in a new one. Just Another fear mongering tactic!😱
Oops. Guess I got MTG mixed up with Boebert in my comment yesterday. Boebert is the uneducated one. MTG is the one who got $183,594.00 in student loan debt forgiven. Yet God forbid any of us see even a dollar in assistance under her reign.
The Lesley Stahl interview was absolutely disgusting. MTG's comment calling Biden a pedophile, because he believes trans children should be helped, and Lesley's handling of that comment, were unbelievable. There were quite a few other comments just as horrid, that were let go without a word from Lesley also. I did not watch it, but have seen enough clips from Meidas Touch, et al., to see how outrageous this interview was. If I were Lesley I would be ashamed of how I handled that interview. I would not go out in public for a few days after that fiasco!
I need you to stand up against the flood of bigotted attacks on the LGBTQIA community and especially the attacks on trans youth seeking gender affirming care.
Transgender people deserve to have rights like everyone else. Let's protect people instead of causing division.
I am not sure if we should support to help prevent violence or additional school shootings. Or if we should pass bills requiring psychological help to treat people with gender dysmorphia.
If what was supposed to be an immutable characteristic is now mutable based on a whim and not a diagnostic, is it now possible to start identifying other ways that were once thought could not be changed.
Say if I feel I am black, can I get skin pigmentation and force others to recognize me as such? If I were not accepted as son, should that be a hate crime? If people can be anything based on how they feel, this could over time become over reaching.
On this Trans Day of Visibility, let us remember our trans friends and neighbors. Trans people have always existed in this world, they are just more visible now. Trans people will continue to exist in the world, and deserve the same human right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And trans people will live in the future, where they will hopefully be free of persecution and discrimination.
If you don't know a trans person, I hope you'll take some time today thinking about what would you say to trans person to recognize their humanity.
We The People-....that's all of us,....right?
Any laws that identify groups of people by race, gender, religeon, age, or "class" and restricts them is a transparent attempt to bypass and invalidate constitutional rights. This is true in general of restrictive federal, state, and local laws. Elected officials are sworn to protect those individual rights and the constitution! If you are an elected official and not a criminal, get on that. NOW!
I stand with Ron Desantis and you should too.
What happened to small government? This is government over reach.
Mind your own business
Just now 3 children were killed in a "religious" school in Nashville.
But what are Tennessee legislators doing about it? Banning drag shows and trans athletes.
I sure hope the parents see how much safer their kids will be now.