An Assault on LGBTQ+ Rights in the NCGA
Pride Month is wrapping up, but apparently the NCGA is just getting started when it comes to harmful bills targeting LGBTQ+ folks.
- HB 808 would ban all new gender-affirming care for trans youth. Though a less extreme version of the bill previously passed the House, yesterday this radically revised version passed the Senate. It will now go back to the House.
- SB 631 would prohibit facilities from providing gender-affirming care if they receive public funding. It's passed in the House and is now headed to the Senate.
- SB 49 is North Carolina's 'Don't Say Gay' bill. It's been amended since its original passage in the Senate, so if it passes in the House, it will go back to the Senate.
- HB 574 prohibits transgender students from participating in school sports. It's passed both houses and is headed to the Governor's desk.
The bottom line:
The NCGOP is threatening the health and safety of LGBTQ+ children, teens, and adults in our state. These radical, harmful bills would out kids to their parents and deny children the stable safe spaces that schools offer.
LGBTQ+ kids should be treated with dignity and respect, just like everyone else. All children deserve love and support, not legislation that will encourage bullying, discrimination, and harm.
Three actions you can take today:
1. Call or email your legislators and express your opposition to these bills.
2. Donate to organizations that are supporting LGBTQ+ youth and adults in North Carolina. The Southern Transgender Youth Emergency Project from the Campaign for Southern Equality is a regional response fund to provide support to southern youth affected by the transgender care bans being passed in many states right now.
3. Be a beacon of kindness, safety, and love in a dangerous world. Practice active and thoughtful allyship all day every day.
One Year Since the Dobbs Decision
Last Saturday marked one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This weekend, on July 1, new abortion access restrictions will go into effect in North Carolina.
The passage and veto override of SB-20 was more proof that Republicans in North Carolina are committed to an extreme, unpopular agenda that will harm our state. They push bills like this through with limited debate and public comment because they know they are not popular, and as long as they have the power to harm people, they will.
Since the Dobbs ruling last year, the Asheville Planned Parenthood clinic has seen their patient load increase by nearly 200% as access is restricted around the country. Access to all healthcare, including abortion, makes for healthier people and communities. Bans don't just increase the risk of medical complications, they also increase infant and maternal mortality.
We're not done fighting for abortion access in North Carolina. We'll be working hard through the next election cycle to make sure we elect candidates who support abortion access -- and who will stick to the promises they make to their voters.
Want to take action? Here are a few ways to show your support for reproductive freedom:
1. Help people who need abortions now find them. Donate to the Carolina Abortion Fund.
2. Pick up some swag and benefit Democrats while you do it. NCDP's store features a pro-choice collection.
3. Help us build for 2024 -- Donate today.
