A West Virginia Republican has introduced a bill that would declare transgender people “obscene” — effectively barring transgender people from moving about in public.
– This is one in a series of American bills in recent years that blackmail transgender people, says RFSL union chairman Peter Sidlund Ponkala, according to QX.
The bill is called Senate Bill 194 and was introduced last week. It would classify trans people as “obscene” and that minors would not be exposed to them. In practice, it would mean that transgender people cannot move in public, reports The New Republic.
According to the proposal, transgender people are to be prohibited from moving closer than 762 meters from the state’s schools. It must also be prohibited with “trans exposure or performances”. The school or school personnel who do not comply with the rules risk fines and imprisonment.
The proposal also includes a total ban on gender-affirming care up to the age of 21 and that state-employed social workers should try to “cure” transgender people. Healthcare staff who in any way facilitate transgender people under the age of 21 can be punished.
The proposals are worrying
The proposed legislation worries RFSL in Sweden.
– This is one of a series of American bills in recent years that vilify transgender people. We also know that trends in American politics are quickly picked up in Sweden, therefore it is very worrying to see how transgender people are now being proposed to be banned from public places, considered obscene and to be “cured” through conversion attempts, says union chairman Peter Sidlund Ponkala.
The West Virginia Senate consists of 31 Republicans and 3 Democrats. There are 89 Republicans and 11 Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives.
– There seems to be no limit to what LGBTQI opponents want to do. This bill has passed all reasonableness, is based on inaccuracies and prejudices and is a serious violation of basic human and civil rights, says Peter Sidlund Ponkala.