QAC Addresses Anti-Trans Legislation on Transgender Day of Visibility
March 31, 2021
Hey SSW,
As many of you may or may not have seen, this week Arkansas passed a law banning health care providers from providing trans youth with access to healthcare. Along with Arkansas, there are similar bills being introduced in several states across the country including Michigan. Many are attacking the ability of trans youth to participate in sports, others are attacking access to healthcare and the ability of transgender people to participate in public life.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
This is a direct attack on the trans community. As social workers, we must make a commitment to organize in order to ensure that transgender youth have life-saving medical care by any means necessary.
Now more than ever, cis people must stand up for the rights and dignity of their transgender peers. The solution is and must be intersectional solidarity, advocacy, and mutual aid. The trans community must not face these attacks alone.
On this Trans Day of Visibility, we are asking everyone to make at least ONE call to either the Governor of Arkansas or to an Arkansas State Senator to call for an end to this inhumane legislation.
- Call Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and demand a veto to HB 1570: (501) 682-2345
- Call Arkansas State Senators to voice opposition to this bill. Here are their numbers.
- Additionally, here is a template to email the governor at asa.hutchinson@governor.arkansas.gov.
To view the anti-transgender legislation in other states, see the following links. It is vital we stay up to date and advocate alongside our trans friends and colleagues.
- BREAKING: 2021 Becomes Record Year For Anti-Transgender Legislation
- Legislative Tracker: Anti-Transgender Legislation
Finally, if you or a loved one are in need of resources, several are included below:
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project LGBTQ+ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
- CAPS After Hours: 734-764-8312
- The UM Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): 734-936-5900
In Solidarity,
Queer Advocacy Coalition