Olympia Councilmember Dontae Payne said that LGBTQ+ people face numerous bills across the country that aim to restrict their rights.
At the city council meeting on Tuesday, Payne urged LGBTQ individuals to research the laws and legislations that could potentially impact their rights and well-being.
Reaffirming Olympia's commitment to supporting and standing with LGBTQA+ communities, the city council signed a proclamation designating June 2023 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and July 1 as Capital City Pride Day.
The proclamation stated that there has been a surge in the introduction of anti-LGBTQ+ bills specifically aimed at transgender people and women. These bills restrict their bodily autonomy and right to access necessary medical care.
According to the proclamation, more than 489 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced this year, marking a 1411.76% increase from 2020.
"It's really important that you do some research and look up where you're going and understand what those laws are and how they might impact you," Payne said. "So just remember that while this is a time of celebration, it's a time also to be serious and be cautious and take care of yourselves."
He added that Human Rights Campaign has declared a national emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans.
The Human Rights Campaign issued a press release in May updating the 2023 anti-LGBTQ+ state legislative activity, with over 525 anti-bills have been introduced; over 220 bills specifically targeting transgender and non-binary people; and 76 anti-LGBTQ laws have been enacted this year, including:
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username73737737
Yall need to just quit. This is not an urgent issue. They are restricting certain aspects but are not outright shunning you. I agree with keeping LGBT out of schools. I found a book in our high school library called Social Intercourse. I implore readers to look at the first five pages alone, you will be appalled. As for thoughtless lifelong mutilation, forcing people to respect each other's pronouns when we have the freedom to address anyone however we would like. Im not calling you a girl when you're obviously a boy trying to prey on girls. No one is "targeting drag performances". We have anti child *** abuse laws for a reason, we simply do not want you interacting with us kids. And hell yeah I don't want biological girls to be able to walk in the boys bathroom and boys in the girls I don't care how you dress or what you call yourself. You people should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves for making our schools psychological and political battlefields where neither side wins. Live and let be is the only option
Monday, June 12, 2023 Report this