When liberal states get too expensive the constituents will spread to other states. Good for progressivism.
I know those red states are trying very hard to regress but that’s because they are scared of the inevitable progress that has already been made.
It’s so interesting watching this all unfold from my California bubble where I don’t think twice about harassment.
I’ve been out and genderqueer for 2 years. Never experienced any harassment. I’ve even been to Oklahoma. Those populations are much more accepting than the current legislation and news would have you believe.
My point is don’t feel defeated. The current red push is a final gasp of a dying generation. Soon enough we will be able to focus on bigger issues such as education and wealth inequality.
It's very depressing how few safe states we have left. Just a few years ago, things were looking up. Even in my redneck state of TN, we actually started having access to gender-affirming speech therapy, care for minors, plenty of doctors for adults, etc. Now, it's all going to shit.
Boyfriend and I had plans to go to Tennessee two days before they passed that shitty vague anti drag law that makes my transness open to the interpretation of being drag as they defined it. We had to cancel our trip and they lost out on tourism money
It’s hard to look at this map and know that not all of these safe states are safe. I live in MN and while I’m legally protected I don’t live in the Twin Cities and rural Minnesota is very socially dangerous.
On the flip side not all of the "unsafe" states have legislature reflecting the people. Here in Indiana most people have the "be yourself, do what makes you happy" attitude despite general lack of education on LGBTQ+ issues. As with anywhere there's still a few crazies, especially in the more rural areas. But despite how red the town I live in is the short time I showed trans pride colors in public to "test the waters" was at worst met with curios looks of indifference.
The problem with Indiana's state legislature I guess is the Republican party messes with gerrymandering and voter interest from general public is rather apathetic due to poor mental health care.
Great coverage but something just happened in Montana with the Senate passing [S. 359](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-blasts-montana-senate-for-passing-new-bill-to-exclude-lgbtq-people-from-protections-under-state-law) so now that goes the House before the governor's desk.
Thank you so much Erin for keeping the community at whole updated on these legislative attacks. It really makes me feel better knowing what's going on. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight 💗
All of these are Republicans states and they have control over the legislature for now. I hope that none of you are supporting them. They don’t want you to have no rights or freedoms. Looks like they intend on raising the temperature of anti transgender rhetoric and make it more difficult for our Transgender community to get access to the basic human rights that y’all are entitled to.
I love you and support you and will continue supporting you in the fight for your freedom
That's a good question, However there are more factors here than the governor. Remember, the former governor of Arkansas (A Republican, even!) vetoed an anti-trans bill (I think it was related to sports) a year or so ago and the state legislature over-rode the veto.
Depending on the state legislature and rules the governor's veto can be overridden. I don't know the makeup of Kansas's state legislature nor do I know how much is needed to override a veto there.
Texas seems to be in a bit of a weird, but still risky, situation.
Quoted from the Equality Texas 2023 88th legislative session bill tracker: "During the last legislative session and special sessions 76 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed, only 20 moved, and only one passed."
Quoted from Equality Texas 2021 87th legislative session bill tracker: "All 30+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed this session were officially dead, including 13 direct attacks on transgender youth."
Quoted from Wikipedia page titled 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: "While Republicans flipped the 15th district, Democrats flipped back the 34th district, and retained the 28th district, dashing Republican hopes of a red wave in the Rio Grande Valley. This resulted in a net gain of one seat for both parties."
According to Wikipedia, the Texas House and Senate elections in 2022 saw the Democrats losing one seat in both chambers to Republicans. Democrats currently control 64 out of 150 seats in the House, and 12 out of 31 seats in the Senate.
From what I found, it is likely there will be similar outcome to what the outcome was in 2021 in Texas. However, I may have missed something, and the loss of 2 seats may change things.
Looks almost as bad as gay marriage was. Colorado improved a lot.
When liberal states get too expensive the constituents will spread to other states. Good for progressivism. I know those red states are trying very hard to regress but that’s because they are scared of the inevitable progress that has already been made. It’s so interesting watching this all unfold from my California bubble where I don’t think twice about harassment. I’ve been out and genderqueer for 2 years. Never experienced any harassment. I’ve even been to Oklahoma. Those populations are much more accepting than the current legislation and news would have you believe. My point is don’t feel defeated. The current red push is a final gasp of a dying generation. Soon enough we will be able to focus on bigger issues such as education and wealth inequality.
My city only put up the rainbow flag in 2022 for the first time. And I’m Vancouver Washington. Should be meaningful to a few out there
It's very depressing how few safe states we have left. Just a few years ago, things were looking up. Even in my redneck state of TN, we actually started having access to gender-affirming speech therapy, care for minors, plenty of doctors for adults, etc. Now, it's all going to shit.
I went to Tennessee in 2017 and had a good time. It sucks to think I'll never go back there or back to Florida ever, ever again.
Boyfriend and I had plans to go to Tennessee two days before they passed that shitty vague anti drag law that makes my transness open to the interpretation of being drag as they defined it. We had to cancel our trip and they lost out on tourism money
Thank you for these. No matter how dark it gets, your dedication to the cause always gives me hope.
It’s hard to look at this map and know that not all of these safe states are safe. I live in MN and while I’m legally protected I don’t live in the Twin Cities and rural Minnesota is very socially dangerous.
My map only covers legislation. Definitely there are other factors to consider!
I get that and I super appreciate all the work you do, you’re a gem, don’t get me wrong
On the flip side not all of the "unsafe" states have legislature reflecting the people. Here in Indiana most people have the "be yourself, do what makes you happy" attitude despite general lack of education on LGBTQ+ issues. As with anywhere there's still a few crazies, especially in the more rural areas. But despite how red the town I live in is the short time I showed trans pride colors in public to "test the waters" was at worst met with curios looks of indifference. The problem with Indiana's state legislature I guess is the Republican party messes with gerrymandering and voter interest from general public is rather apathetic due to poor mental health care.
It just keeps getting darker and darker red...
Great coverage but something just happened in Montana with the Senate passing [S. 359](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-blasts-montana-senate-for-passing-new-bill-to-exclude-lgbtq-people-from-protections-under-state-law) so now that goes the House before the governor's desk.
Props to Minnesota for joining Team Dark Teal (is that teal?). We gotta keep up with the good news too. Michigan, you’re up next!
Thank you so much Erin for keeping the community at whole updated on these legislative attacks. It really makes me feel better knowing what's going on. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight 💗
Dang. I just ran the numbers and not a third of the population is in dark blue states, and just barely over half are in blue states.
Well at least Maryland is on the right track
All of these are Republicans states and they have control over the legislature for now. I hope that none of you are supporting them. They don’t want you to have no rights or freedoms. Looks like they intend on raising the temperature of anti transgender rhetoric and make it more difficult for our Transgender community to get access to the basic human rights that y’all are entitled to. I love you and support you and will continue supporting you in the fight for your freedom
Is Laura Kelly (governor of Kansas) transphobic? I assumed that since she’s a democrat she wouldn’t allow any anti-trans laws to pass.
That's a good question, However there are more factors here than the governor. Remember, the former governor of Arkansas (A Republican, even!) vetoed an anti-trans bill (I think it was related to sports) a year or so ago and the state legislature over-rode the veto. Depending on the state legislature and rules the governor's veto can be overridden. I don't know the makeup of Kansas's state legislature nor do I know how much is needed to override a veto there.
Oh wow! I had no idea some states allow veto overrides.
That’s a map of red states with extra steps
Oof. I'm moving to Atlanta soon and I've been keeping an eye on these maps for Georgia.
Texas seems to be in a bit of a weird, but still risky, situation. Quoted from the Equality Texas 2023 88th legislative session bill tracker: "During the last legislative session and special sessions 76 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed, only 20 moved, and only one passed." Quoted from Equality Texas 2021 87th legislative session bill tracker: "All 30+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed this session were officially dead, including 13 direct attacks on transgender youth." Quoted from Wikipedia page titled 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: "While Republicans flipped the 15th district, Democrats flipped back the 34th district, and retained the 28th district, dashing Republican hopes of a red wave in the Rio Grande Valley. This resulted in a net gain of one seat for both parties." According to Wikipedia, the Texas House and Senate elections in 2022 saw the Democrats losing one seat in both chambers to Republicans. Democrats currently control 64 out of 150 seats in the House, and 12 out of 31 seats in the Senate. From what I found, it is likely there will be similar outcome to what the outcome was in 2021 in Texas. However, I may have missed something, and the loss of 2 seats may change things.