Human rights voices are calling attention to new North Dakota laws deemed hostile toward LGBTQ+ individuals, saying it is part of a movement led by national groups, and does not align with how the state governs itself.
The recent legislative session saw North Dakota and its GOP-led Legislature take a big leap into so-called "culture wars" by passing laws such as one banning gender-affirming care for transgender youths.
Geoff Wetrosky, national campaign director for the Human Rights Campaign, said in the U.S., there have been nearly 1,700 such bills in the past decade. He pointed out organizations such as the Family Policy Alliance are working hard to get them passed in conservative statehouses.
"These organizations have a worldview that just does not comport with a pluralistic society where LGBTQ people are allowed to live freely and not be discriminated against," Wetrosky explained.
In 2021, a trio of the groups joined forces to fund policy efforts, citing the need to protect children's bodies and minds.
Wetrosky noted they often have template legislation for lawmakers to use while pledging to help pay for legal costs if a state ends up facing a legal challenge. Local opponents of the movement say it runs counter to past arguments from those who decried the influence of outside groups in trying to craft North Dakota policy.
In 2020, a proposed ballot initiative aiming to bolster election access was criticized for the involvement of out-of-state groups, but Wetrosky asserted the LGTBQ+ policy efforts are largely driven by organizations with addresses outside of North Dakota.
He noted such groups are also active in backing candidates who are receptive to the movement.
"In the midterm elections last year, we tracked over $60 million in spending on attack ads that attack transgender folks," Wetrosky reported. "The bulk of those resources was spent in Republican primaries."
Megan Langley, founder and executive director of Strengthen ND, which focuses on helping rural areas thrive, said while her group is not involved in such policy debates, she agreed with some sentiments they can serve as a distraction. She feels North Dakota does better when the state looks inward to address more pressing issues.
"Some of the noise created during particular legislative times can take away from what's going on within communities," Langley contended. "It removes folks away from who their neighbors are."
The Family Policy Alliance could not be reached for comment.
get more stories like this via email
Advocates for the LGBTQ+ community want Connecticut lawmakers to consider bills that would help address a variety of this community's needs. They include legislation to ensure LGBTQ+ seniors in long-term care facilities aren't discriminated against, and expanding protections under no-fault eviction legislation.
William Ollayos, administrator with the LGBTQ+ Justice and Opportunity Network, noted that the group is also looking for funding to update a needs assessment that was first done in 2021.
"Something like that should be reciprocal and done every couple of years, because community needs change. If you're talking about any marginalized community - queer folks, people of color, immigrants - their needs are going to change year to year. And especially after COVID, we just really need that updated data to inform some of the additional legislation we're talking about," he said.
The current needs assessment finds 69% of people in this community have experienced discrimination. Ollayos said other issues legislators should work on include safe school initiatives that preventing queer kids from being bullied, and mental health care.
While the General Assembly's LGBTQ+ Caucus has grown, competing priorities are expected to be a challenge to passing these bills.
Matthew Blinstrubas, executive director of Equality Connecticut, predicts President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration and Congress' Republican majority will harm the work they're doing.
"We are always concerned about the federal government maintaining its support for medical services, keeping our schools safe and welcoming, and making sure that our community is not used as a political tool to hold funding hostage," he said.
get more stories like this via email
A California nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender and gender-nonconforming people find good jobs is looking to expand its mission in 2025, back from the brink of closure last year.
Trans Can Work, based in Los Angeles, shut down last January when its funding fell through and reopened in June thanks to a 3-year grant from the James Irvine Foundation.
Toni Newman, board chair of the group, said the trans community suffers from extremely high rates of unemployment.
"Every American, regardless of who they are -- race, age, and gender -- should be able to get a job in America that they're qualified for and have some type of economic security," Newman contended. "Why are our numbers so high, at 65% living at the poverty level or below? Just because we are different? That's un-American, and it's wrong."
A 2021 study from the McKinsey company found transgender adults are twice as likely as their cisgender peers to be unemployed. When they do find a job, they make 32% less money per year, even with similar or higher education levels. They also found more than half of transgender employees said they are not comfortable being "out" at work. And two-thirds remain in the closet in professional interactions outside their own companies.
Newman noted the job center's goal for 2025 is to place at least 500 clients in new careers.
"We help you with your resume, help you with your clothing, help you to get ready for the interview, get you a laptop if you need a laptop," Newman outlined. "Then walk you into the interview and help place you in the job."
Trans Can Work also receives support from the Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Intersex Wellness and Health Equity Unit of the California Department of Public Health.
Disclosure: Trans Can Work contributes to our fund for reporting on Civil Rights, Human Rights/Racial Justice, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
The Nebraska Legislature kicks off its new session a few weeks from today and issues related to gender identity are likely to be part of the mix.
LGBTQ+ advocates said they are in familiar territory, trying to establish a voice in the debate. Last year, a Nebraska bill to ban transgender students from playing school sports consistent with their gender identity narrowly failed. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he will try again this year.
Grant Friedman, legal fellow for the ACLU of Nebraska, said anyone opposed should try to set aside time with lawmakers to explain their concerns. From his perspective, Friedman argued policymakers should know other matters need attention.
"Getting folks to realize they're there to make Nebraska a better place for everyone and focus on the issues that need to be dealt with," Friedman urged. "Not kind of these 'fringe' issues that are being blown out of proportion across the country."
With Nebraska's budget on shaky ground and the need to address affordable housing gaps, he said advocates can pinpoint a number of topics they want lawmakers to look at instead. Polls show most Americans oppose transgender restrictions but Republicans' recent campaign messages have found some captive audiences. Backers of the bills said their mission is to protect students and families.
The ACLU is part of a coalition including OutNebraska, serving as a guide for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating a divisive political environment. Friedman emphasized local government is an avenue to push for protections if state and federal lawmakers are not showing a collective interest in advancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ population.
"The three areas in which you tend to see your city protections are going to be workplace, housing and public accommodations," Friedman outlined.
Friedman added they have found some allies among faith leaders willing to push for unity as marginalized communities fall under the political spotlight. Groups like the Trevor Project said bills deemed hostile toward LGBTQ+ populations can have a damaging effect on the mental health of community members.
Disclosure: OutNebraska contributes to our fund for reporting on LGBTQIA Issues, Reproductive Health, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email