The following weekly digest is written and compiled by the Trans Formations Project, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis currently sweeping the United States. You can follow their work and latest updates via Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr, and Facebook
Hello readers. It’s Friday, August 23, 2024.
As a reminder, legislative sessions are different for each state — and you can keep track of your state’s legislative session here. Currently, bill progressions have slowed following the conclusion of legislative sessions in most states.
This week: no new bill progressions! One new bill was introduced.
The Things We Won!
The infamously anti-trans, anti-DEI Oklahoma State Superintendent of Education, Ryan Walters, is facing new criticism on several fronts. Earlier this month, Democrats in the state legislature made their fifth call for Walters’ impeachment, joined for the first time by one of their Republican colleagues: Rep. Mark McBride, of District 53. McBride has since circulated a letter calling for an investigation into Walters that was signed by at least 24 other Republicans.
Last week, the Oklahoma State House announced an upcoming LOFT (Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency) investigation into the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s (OSDE) finances. Furthermore, under Walters’ leadership, the OSDE recently received low grades in a review of federal grant programs by the U.S. Department of Education, obtaining the lowest mark in 32 out of 52 measures.
In news conferences and media appearances, Walters has responded by calling such criticism “political lies” and challenging the Oklahoma House of Representatives to start impeachment proceedings immediately. Walters and/or his department are also facing numerous lawsuits, including one by a student whose attempt to change pronouns at school was blocked by a Department of Education rule. A former teacher is also suing the OSDE—in this case, for wrongful termination following her choice to display a Brooklyn Public Library QR code in her classroom.
On Monday, August 19, U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty issued an emergency order allowing a transgender teen in New Hampshire to compete on her high school girls’ soccer team. The order comes in response to a lawsuit filed by two trans teens and their families on Friday, August 16, with the aim of overturning NH HB1205 (New Hampshire’s “Fairness in Women’s Sports” Act).
Following Judge McCafferty’s ruling, one plaintiff—Parker Tirrell (15)—was permitted to join her soccer team for practice on Monday night. The second plaintiff, Iris Turmelle (14), does not plan to play soccer until December. Regardless, both plaintiffs have 14 days to schedule a hearing for their broader challenge against HB1205. If successful, a preliminary injunction would be placed on HB1205 for the duration of Tirrell and Turmelle’s case, preventing New Hampshire from enforcing the sports ban during that time period.
What the Heck Else Happened This Week?
On Friday, August 16, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted the current rules regarding sex discrimination in education to remain in place country-wide, rejecting a request from the Biden administration. This ruling from the high court is another in a long line of setbacks plaguing the Department of Education, preventing them from effectively expanding Title IX protections to cover transgender and pregnant students.
Following the Biden administration’s blocked request, the federal rule will remain on hold in several states until the Supreme Court releases its final decisions on Department of Education v. Louisiana and Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education v. Tennessee. Both cases have been filed to contest expanded sex discrimination protections under the Biden administration rule, under the claim that federal changes conflict with state laws.
On Wednesday, August 20, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that it will no longer accept court orders as valid documentation to justify altering gender markers on drivers’ licenses. This change comes at the behest of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office cites a lack of “evidentiary standards” on the courts’ behalf—justifying DPS intervention.
Notably, this policy change was accompanied by instructions prompting DPS employees to route all future and current “sex change” request information through a specific email. This raises the possibility that the Texas DPS is acquiring and storing information on transgender individuals in the state. There is some precedent for assuming this: in 2022, Attorney General Paxton sought to compile a list of transgender Texans using drivers’ license information.
New Bill Introductions
The following new bills were introduced this week:
- AL HB4, a school book ban, was prefiled for the 2025 legislative session on July 8, 2024.
Mental Health Resources
We know that staying up-to-date with anti-trans legislation may be distressing to our readers. If you or someone you know needs support, here are a few affirming resources that you can reach out to:
- If you need support or are in crisis, you can contact the Trans Lifeline hotline at (877) 565-8860.
- The Trans Lifeline is run by trans people, for trans people, and does not engage in non-consensual active rescue, meaning they will not call law enforcement without your consent.
- You can connect with a Trevor Project crisis counselor via phone 1 (866) 488-7386, chat, or text (Text ‘START’ to 678-678).
- Note: This resource could utilize non-consensual active rescue, including law enforcement, 911, and first responders.
- You can call the LGBT National Hotline at (888) 843-4564 or connect with a peer via chat.
- The LGBT National Help Center will NOT call other suicide hotlines, law enforcement, 911, or rescue services.
- BlackLine is a BIPOC LGBTQ+ support line, run by BIPOC folks, for BIPOC folks. This resource does not involve law enforcement or state agencies. You can call 1 (800) 604-5841 to chat with a peer.
- For folks under 25, you can call the LGBT National Youth Talkline at (800) 246-7743.
- The LGBT National Help Center will NOT call other suicide hotlines, law enforcement, 911, or rescue services.
- Adults (folks 18+) can text the THRIVE Lifeline, which is trans-led and operated. Text "THRIVE" to (313) 662-8209 to begin your conversation.
- THRIVE Lifeline does NOT call emergency services for people who are at risk of harming themselves without their consent.
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