The front of the “blues” is organized. While the approach of the mid-term elections in November strengthens the Republicans’ determination to mobilize their base on social issues, the Democratic states are preparing for the great conservative setback that is coming. From the defense of abortion to that of transgender youth, the progressive camp is trying to take the lead.
Badly recovered from the defeat of Donald Trump, the Republicans are seized with a legislative bulimia, spurred on by Florida and Texas, the spearheads of the new conservative revolution. From Arizona to Idaho or Oklahoma, they multiply anti-abortion laws, measures hostile to transgender people, or limiting the influence of “woke” educators in public education. The “traditional values” camp hopes to exploit the 6-3 majority it has held on the United States Supreme Court since the arrival of Justice Amy Coney Barrett in October 2020.
On the heels of Florida, which adopted it at the end of March, a dozen states, from Alabama to Ohio and Louisiana, are studying the passage of the so-called law “Don’t Say Gay”, which forbids discussing the subjects of gender identity or sexual orientation in primary school (at an age when sex education is not on the curriculum, but opponents believe that the legislation is mainly intended to intimidate all teachers).
300 anti-LGBTQ texts voted in “red” states
Some 300 anti-LGBTQ laws have been introduced in “red” states according to Human Rights Campaign (HRC) [groupe de défense des droits des lesbiennes, gays, bisexuels et transsexuels]. Almost half are transgender.
On April 8, Alabama passed the most hostile legislation. It punishes with ten years in prison the delivery of hormones or treatments to block puberty in young people under 19 years of age. Texas and Idaho have also proposed criminalizing helping young people with their gender transition, even if it’s their family, and even if they seek treatment in other states. In Arizona, a bill plans to force teachers to report to parents if their child comes out at school.
“I have rarely seen so much fear and aggression directed against so few” Spencer Cox, Republican Governor of Utah
During the 2016 and 2018 election campaigns, the traditionalist camp obsessed over transgender people’s access to toilets in public places. Today, it is through their participation in sports competitions.
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