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gender affirming care, legislation, LGBTQ, Mama Bears, Moms of LGBT, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Serendipitydodah for Moms
REAL MAMA BEARS GOOD INFORMATION PROJECT
realmamabears.org
The “Real Mama Bears Good Information Project” is intended to provide helpful information to our members in the U.S. to help them stay informed about anti-trans and anti-queer legislation and to assist them in finding resources as they navigate these difficult times.
The information will be updated periodically. This version is dated May 15, 2023.
The information included in the “Real Mama Bears Good Information Project” was compiled by Real Mama Bears LLC. The resources, healthcare providers and websites included have been recommended by mothers of LGBTQ+ kids.
Please note: We are cautious when it comes to recommending nonprofits. We don’t recommend nonprofits that are so new they cannot be properly vetted. The nonprofits included in this document are ones we feel comfortable recommending for assistance and information. However, we recommend that everyone do their own research.
INFORMATION & RESOURCES REGARDING ANTI-TRANS AND ANTI-QUEER LEGISLATION:
Real Mama Bears Org. – Look for “Legislative Updates” on the Mama Bears Public Facebook page. The information about anti-LGBTQ+ laws being proposed, debated, voted on, passed and signed into law is changing daily. We are working with Human Rights Campaign, ACLU and Equality Texas in order to try and deliver updates a couple of times a month. Our updates typically cover activity from the previous week to ten days.
Movement Advancement Project provides a map that shows what states have banned gender affirming care. If you click on the state you will be taken to more detailed information.
ACLU has a page dedicated to tracking anti-LGBTQ legislation.
National Center for Transgender Equality offers helpful information for families with trans members /
Campaign for Southern Equality offers a variety of resources and support to families in the south affected by anti-trans legislation
https://southernequality.org/our-work/southern-equality-fund/
SPECIAL NOTES REGARDING LEGISLATION:
As of May 15, 2023 there are at least nine states being sued for enacting anti-trans bills that restrict gender affirming care.
The states presently being sued include:
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Indiana
Kentucky
Missouri
Montana
Oklahoma
Tennessee
SANCTUARY STATES:
Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico and Minnesota have passed bills designed to shield transgender health care through legal protections, health care coverage and access, therefore making them sanctuary states.
STATE SPECIFIC INFO AND RESOURCES:
ALABAMA:
In May 2022, a federal judge temporarily blocked the part of the state’s law that bans medication for trans youth, though the rest of the law remains in effect for now, including the felony punishment and provisions that require school staff to tell parents if a child expresses thoughts that they might be transgender. The state’s law applies to individuals up to the age of 19.
ACLU of Alabama
ARKANSAS:
In June 2023 a federal judge has permanently struck down the country’s first law banning gender-affirming care for minors, signaling a victory for LGBTQ advocates.
ACLU OF ARKANSAS
Northwest Arkansas Equality
GEORGIA:
SB140 (2023) does not go into effect until July 1, 2023. The law also contains some exceptions for youth who began hormone-related medication before July 1, 2023, to continue receiving that treatment. See the ACLU of Georgia for more info.
ACLU of Georgia
Georgia Equality
IOWA:
SF 538 bans health care professionals from giving medical treatment “for the purpose of attempting to alter the appearance of, or affirm the minor’s perception of, the minor’s gender or sex, if that appearance or perception is inconsistent with the minor’s sex [at birth].” The legislation went to effect immediately after the governor’s signing in March 2023.
IDAHO:
HB71 does not go into effect until January 1, 2024. The bill bans gender affirming care for trans youth in Idaho, including banning puberty blockers and hormone treatments.
INDIANA:
SB480 (2023) does not go into effect until July 1, 2023. The bill prohibits families and doctors from providing age-appropriate, evidence-based gender affirming care for youth who require it.
ACLU of Indiana
KENTUCKY:
The medical care ban portion of SB150 (2023) will not go into effect until late June 2023 (90 days after the legislature adjourns). Trans youth can still receive care until that portion of the bill takes effect.
ACLU of Kentucky
Fairness Campaign
MONTANA:
SB99 (2023) does not go into effect until October 1, 2023. The bill prohibits gender-affirming medical and surgical care for transgender minors.
ACLU of Montana
MISSOURI:
On April 13, 2023, the state’s attorney general issued an emergency rule intended to go into effect on April 27, 2023, with a planned expiration date of February 6, 2024. A lawsuit, Southampton Community Healthcare et al. v. Bailey, earned a temporary restraining order to block the rule until at least July 24, 2023, with the potential for a further block of the rule at that time. If the rule goes into effect, it will effectively ban, or at a minimum, extraordinarily restrict, medically necessary care for all transgender people, regardless of age.
NORTH CAROLINA:
On May 3rd, the NC House passed H808, which bans gender-affirming surgeries for people under 18. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. House Bill 5741 and Senate Bill 631, which would ban transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity, advanced through the General Assembly and were sent to Governor Cooper for his consideration.
Equality NC
OKLAHOMA
On May 2nd Governor Stitt signed SB 613, a ban on gender affirming care, into law.
Freedom Oklahoma
TENNESSEE:
HB1 (2023) does not go into effect until July 1, 2023. The bill that prohibits transgender-related healthcare in Tennessee for people under the age of 18.
Tennessee Equality Project
http://tnep.org/
ACLU of Tennessee
TEXAS:
On May 15 SB14 passed the house and now heads to the Senate.
Equality Texas
Transgender Education Network of Texas
UTAH:
Utah passed a law banning gender affirming care for minors. Minors who were diagnosed with gender dysphoria before January 28, 2023 will still be able to continue puberty blocking and hormonal treatments.
ACLU of Utah:
https://www.acluutah.org/
Equality Utah:
https://www.equalityutah.org/
WEST VIRGINIA:
HB2007 (2023) does not go into effect until January 1, 2024. The law contains some exceptions for hormone-related medication for youth under certain circumstances and requirements.
RESOURCES FOR OUT OF STATE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE:
Elevated Access will fly people to another location gain access to abortion healthcare and gender affirming healthcare
Lurie Children’s in Chicago, IL
St. Louis Children’s in St. Louis, MO
Teen Health Connection in Charlotte, NC
Cincinnati Children’s Clinic in Cincinnati, OH – schedule with Emily Thiem, and ask specifically for Dr. Leann Conard
CHOP in Philadelphia, PA – Dr. Linda Hawkins
Randall Children’s Gender Care Center – Portland, OR
Dr. Stephanie Arnold – family practice physician providing gender affirming care in Richmond, VA and offers telehealth options
Queermed provides gender affirming care and offers telehealth options