Despite it only being January, more than 120 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the US so far this year.
These have been filed across 22 states, with the majority focusing on young trans people.
Texas has introduced the most with 36, followed by Missouri with 26, then North Dakota with eight and Oklahoma with six.
Bills aiming to restrict transgender girls and women competing on the sporting team that aligns with their gender identity have been proposed in at least three states this year.
At least 11 have suggested legislation that would see gender-affirming health care restricted for minors.
“We’re not going to stop existing”
Prominent trans activist and actress Laverne Cox has since shared her thoughts on bills of this nature.
“I exist. There’s no trans question, I am not a question,” she said during an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on 19 January.
“I exist here, I have material reality, lived experiences, and trans people have always existed. We’re not going to stop existing.”
READ MORE: More than 100 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the US so far this year
She proceeded to directly discuss the debate surrounding gender-affirming care: “There’s a lot of pundits and politicians that say, ‘gender-affirming care for children, that’s something we should debate’ and I would actually disagree. I would say it’s none of your business,” Cox continued.
“If you are a parent with a trans child, it is your business. If you’re not, it’s none of your business.
“What adults do with their bodies is none of your business. This is America, it should be about freedom.”
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