West Virginia Republicans want to ban transgender people from public spaces, call them 'obscene'

[Eugene]

Source: The Advocate

West Virginia Republicans want to ban transgender people from public spaces, call them ‘obscene’

One bill would define trans people as “obscene matter” and make them keep their distance from schools, while another would force mental health professionals to “cure” transgender people.

BY CHRISTOPHER WIGGINS
JANUARY 13 2024 2:11 PM EST

Republicans in West Virginia have upped the hostility among those on the right toward transgender people. There, the LGBTQ+ community is currently grappling with significant legislative challenges that have the potential to impact the rights and lives of transgender individuals drastically.

Multiple draconian bills were introduced in the state’s legislature this week, with advocates drawing attention to their severe implications. One forces mental health professionals to “cure” transgender people from their gender identity, and another categorizes transgender people as “obscene material,” essentially making transgender individuals’ existence in many public spaces illegal, independent journalist Erin Reed, who specializes in transgender-related legal coverage, reports. Yet another criminalizes their presence near schools.

“Trans people know they are — there is nothing to ‘cure.’ The truth is, trans people of all ages are living happy, complete, and joyful lives — this contradicts the false narrative created around our community by extremist politicians," West Virginia activist Ash Orr told Reed. "This piece of legislation attacks our most basic values of privacy and control over our own bodies, and is based on misleading or even outright false ideas.”

Orr added: “This is a blatant attempt to criminalize and erase the trans community of West Virginia.”

Senate Bill 194 is particularly alarming. This proposed legislation seeks to impose a total ban on gender-affirming care for transgender individuals up to the age of 21. It also mandates that therapists and social workers in the state attempt to “cure” transgender identity. This bill extends the reach of a previous ban on gender-affirming care for those under 18, passed in 2023, and categorizes being transgender as a “sexual deviation.” Additionally, it broadens the definition of minors to include individuals up to age 21.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender-obscene-cured-west-virginia

[AllaN01Bear]

1. would love to ban rs from public spaces . snork.

[Lonestarblue]

2. The only obscene people are the Republicans aiming to pass such hateful laws.

[Freethinker65]

3. Sounds like some WV Republicans want State supported ignorance.

[hildegaard28]

4. That's sick.

Republicans don't even consider transgender people to be people. They're downgrading them to "matter" to justify their future pogroms against them. The dehumanization of this poor, marginalized group by Republicans is sickening.

[vercetti2021]

6. I don't consider Republicans human myself

Walking bags of shit and black smoke.

[rurallib]

5. How would they know without a 100% genitalia inspection, statewide?

and how would they keep it current?

Or - here's an idea -

Tattoo all transgendered people. Yeah that's a great idea for the humor impaired

[LostOne4Ever]

7. The Republicans are Devolving

This is just going to get worse and worse until they hit rock bottom. I just pray not too many of us are hurt by then.

[bernieb]

8. Repukes in WV

Two thoughts after I read this: 1) I have a transgender grandchild. I will do anything to protect their rights and the rights of others.
2) How many of these legislators might be trans. It seems as if when any of this stuff starts, someone supporting such legislation is LGBT+.