RALEIGH, N.C. - A number of bills attacking trans youth have been filed in the North Carolina General Assembly. SB560 radically restricts and creates nearly insurmountable obstacles to gender-affirming care for transgender minors. SB639 bans gender-affirming care for minors, mandates the spread of harmful misinformation, and prohibits minors from accessing birth control and other important health care without parental consent. H43 prohibits certain hormones like puberty blocks and gender-affirming hormones and surgery for people under the age of 18. S631 and H574 restrict trans students from participating in middle and high school sports. These bills join a wave of anti-LGBTQIA legislation sweeping the nation this year.
Regarding the filing of these bills, Senior Policy Counsel of the ACLU of NC Liz Barber issued the following statement:
“Whether it’s the right to access gender-affirming medical care, the right to use the bathroom without being surveilled, or the right to play on sports teams that align with one’s gender identity, all legislation that targets and restricts trans youth’s rights is harmful and life-threatening. This legislation relies on antiquated fallacies about gender and childhood development and undermines the expertise of medical providers. These bills will only further stigmatize and harm transgender children, even as it falsely claims to be acting in their best interests.”
“We know from countless studies that rates of mental health crises and suicide are higher for trans youth, and that will only worsen with the proposals we have seen this week. It stigmatizes trans identities and makes it harder, if not impossible, for trans children to get the care and support they need. All children deserve to be affirmed, respected, and celebrated in North Carolina. This legislation is harmful to all of North Carolina’s children and to the potential for a more welcoming and inclusive culture.”
This week committees in the Senate and House will hear S631 and H574 which restrict trans students from playing on sports teams. There is no evidence to support the claim that allowing transgender athletes to participate will harm participation in girls' sports. In fact, policies that exclude transgender athletes from participating can have negative impacts on their mental and physical health, as well as their sense of belonging and inclusion in their communities.
The ACLU of North Carolina believes it is important for legislators to prioritize the health and well-being of all children, including transgender children. Policies that exclude transgender athletes from participating in sports can contribute to feelings of isolation, discrimination, and stigmatization, which can have negative impacts on their mental health and well-being.