Alert! House Bill 2796

[laurenb]

Anyone seen this? I got it off a twitter feed last night. Looks really ominous as a federal law could supersede state laws for protection. Not sure if this could make any headway before things flip over in 2018. I just don't understand why lawmakers will go out of their way to be mean to a tiny segment of the population that causes no trouble... To me this bill is aimed directly at trans folk. Am I right here?

https://legiscan.com/US/bill/HB2796/2017

Llegiscan /

[Dee Marshall]

Of course it means us. As to why they would "be so mean", it's all about pandering to their base in hopes of re-election. It's not as if many of us would vote for anyone who would be elected by people who would applaud that, anyway.

[Deborah]

It's aimed at making the Christians happy so they'll keep voting Republican.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Raell]

If you've ever read the comments on online articles with transgender subjects you'll see <how> hateful <some people> are.

There was one today on Caitlyn Jenner discussing running for office and insults and mockery came thick and fast.
I lost my temper and waded into the discussion, kicking the hornet's nest by calling them ignorant <removed> bigots and mocking them for knowing nothing about transgender issues, or science.
A bunch of people immediately "liked" my comments, but after a shocked time, <some of them> swarmed out the nest trying to insult me, but I only kick nests-I don't hang around to wait for the hornets!

Moderator edit. This post has been edited for it's name calling and bashing. Topics can be hurtful and frustrating however we must obey the agreed to Terms of Service.

10. Bashing or flaming of an individual or group is not acceptable behavior on this website and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.  This includes but is not limited to:

    Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term. The same restriction applies to advocating the removal of the T from GLBT.
    Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more or less legitimate, deserving, or real than any others.
    Suggesting that Trans people are not really men (FTM) or women (MTF).
    Posting any messages that engages in personal attacks and/or is actively or passively aggressive no matter the provocation.

[/b]

[EmmaLoo]

Another clever way to qualify "Sex" using genetics at the Federal level. This bill specifically targets Insurance for Transgender people under the ACA as well.

( Also on May 13, 2016, the Department of
2 Health and Human Services finalized regulations
3 that redefined the Affordable Care Act's prohibition
4 on ''sex'' discrimination in federally funded health
5 programs and activities to cover ''gender identity'',
6 thereby opening health care professionals and insur-
7 ers to extensive liability if they decline to participate
8 in or pay for ''gender transition'' treatments or ''sex
9 change'' operations.

(c) DEFINITION OF ''FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS
18 LAW''.—For purposes of this Act, the term ''Federal civil
19 rights law'' means any Federal law prohibiting discrimina-
20 tion on the basis of sex or gender, including title IX of
21 the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et
22 seq.), the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et
23 seq.), the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), the
24 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law
1 111–148), and any other Federal law or provision thereof
2 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex or gender.

[stephaniec]

Republican law would rewrite civil rights law

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/07/17/republican-bill-would-re-write-civil-rights-laws-to-stop-protecting-trans-people/

Pink News/by Nick Duffy  07/17/2017

[AnneK]

One can only hope that this administration and it's backers see a severe backlash to all this nonsense come election time.  Barry Goldwater was right in insisting religious influences be kept out of the government.

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them."

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/777519-mark-my-word-if-and-when-these-preachers-get-control

Recent events have proven him right.

[RobynD]

I expect it will fail and it would be unconstitutional, but that wont stop them from trying. They need the culture war stuff to raise money if they didn't have it, the attention would fall on the rest of their mainly failed policies and practices.

All LGTB+ people should resist and be active against such things.

[laurenb]

If I follow my therapists recommendation and not get too wound up into these sorts of things because it inflames my anxieties which then triggers dysphoria I will be better off. Oi. I'm sure you all hear similar things. The way I feel is that I've paid my American dues.... meaning taxes and being a model citizen; employing people in my own company, following the rules, I've never been arrested. I didn't serve in the military but would've willingly (had there been an active war or my eyesight been better and I could at least fly navy but we're an Army family and well that wouldn't sat well with Dad). Anyhow, all I want is for my government (of the people and by the people) to let me be (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness). We can't let this house bill get beyond these dopes who wrote it. Does HRC have our back? Who's got our back? What organization is looking at this and where can I donate? If they do this to us, it's open season on every minority.

[Lady Sarah]

If they do this to us, it's open season on every minority.

It already is. Take a look at the policies regarding Muslims and Mexicans in America. Right now it's all about what the right wing can do to feel more powerful.

[itsApril]

. . . it would be unconstitutional, but that wont stop them from trying.

* * *

All LGTB+ people should resist and be active against such things.

Whether it's found to be constitutional or not depends on rulings of the federal courts.  Don't feel too certain about this!  Recently confirmed Justice Gorsuch on the US Supreme Court is already showing himself to be ultraconservative, voting so far in lockstep with Justice Thomas, the court's most conservative member.  There is no assurance that there is a majority on the Supreme Court to protect trans rights.

Federal judges are appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the US Senate.  Since the Senate is firmly under Republican control, Trump is now well positioned to reshape the federal courts in his own image.  (Shudder!)

Over the last few years, many of us have become accustomed to thinking of the federal courts as tribunals that will for the most part protect our interests.  We all need to understand that that is changing, that it is changing in an unfavorable direction, and that it could change pretty fast.

Your final point is well taken.  Rather than hope that Congress or the courts will protect us, we need to find all the allies we can and take action to protect ourselves.