In 2023, according to Trans Legislation Tracker, there have been approximately 492 bills introduced by legislation that aim to block trans people from receiving basic health care, education, legal recognition and the right to exist publically. Since the beginning of the new year, anti-trans legislation continues to be introduced across the country, doubling the number of bills being passed from the previous year. 

Within the past few months, there have been several damaging and inhumane bills that have been introduced and authorized, each dealing with different trans-related themes. First, there were issues pertaining to bathroom-related bans, which were created to deny access to public restrooms by gender identity. Next, many bills that have been examined deal with healthcare bans. These laws speak out against medical and scientific consensus that gender-affirming care saves lives. This would allow for providers and parents to be criminally charged. There have also been many drag bans introduced within various legislations. This prohibits public drag performances and restricts access to gender non-conforming individuals. Furthermore, various schooling-related bills have also been permitted, which allow educational institutes to misgender or use students’ dead names and publically out trans individuals to their parents. Lastly, sex designation bills were introduced, which will make it harder for trans folks to have identification that matches their gender identity. 

Although various bills have been introduced, there are some in particular that have caused a rise in media attention. According to the Texas Tribune, in the State of Texas, one of the most recent laws that have been given initial approval is SB 14. This bill will ban transition-related surgeries as well as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those who are not currently receiving these resources. This is not only dehumanizing and devastating within the trans community, but it provides a very disheartening disadvantage for trans kids of future generations. 

Another bill that has been heavily debated in Texas is SB 12, which prohibits sexually oriented performances on public properties, and SB 1601, which relates to prohibiting municipal libraries that host such events from receiving state funding. These laws are targeting the art of drag and drag shows in general, and they purposefully use broad language to attack the LGBTQ+ community and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Overall, there is an insurmountable amount of laws that have been introduced recently that focus on attacking and restricting the rights of trans individuals. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the inhumane laws being enacted and bring awareness to the unfair and discriminatory views trying to be enforced within the country. 

To learn more about the bills being passed and introduced, visit the Trans Legislation Tracker website. If you or someone you know needs aid in these difficult times, contact Trans Lifeline at (877) 565-8860, LGBTQ+ National Hotline at (888) 843-4564.