Louisiana is poised to become the latest state to enact laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community, after the Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday sent a package to the Democratic governor that includes a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.The Legislature also overwhelming passed Louisiana’s version of a “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a measure outlining pronoun usage for students.
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards opposes the legislation, but has not said whether he would veto the bills. Republicans hold a veto-proof majority in the Legislature, and the bills passed largely along party lines. Last year, Edwards chose not to block a Louisiana law banning transgender athletes from participating in women and girls sports competitions, saying it was clear a veto would be overridden.
Debate in the Legislature over the transgender care measure was marred by misinformation, religious arguments, hours of emotional testimony from the LGBTQ+ community, and a dramatic resurrection of a bill once presumed dead. It echoed what is happening in many statehouses across the country, as bills targeting the transgender community have topped conservative agendas. Louisiana’s measure would take effect Jan. 1.
This year alone, more than 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bill have been introduced in 41 states, according to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign. Among that legislation, more than 220 measures specifically target transgender youths, the organization found. On Tuesday, HRC declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S., releasing a guidebook containing resources to help people relocate to states with stronger LGBTQ+ protections.
