The United States prides itself on being a nation of liberty, justice, and equal opportunity. However, the number of laws targeting minorities is rapidly growing, not seeming to stop. 

2023 is already a record breaking year for anti-LGBTQ+ bills. By January 19, 124 bills targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community had already been proposed and by April 5 over 650 bills had been introduced. They range from banning Drag Shows, censorship in the classroom, restricting the ability to change legal documents, even limiting healthcare. 

These bills are thinly veiled attempts at taking away the rights of those who do not fit into a heteronormative society. These bills are clearly rooted in bias, and pose a real threat to people across America. 

Besides the rapidly increasing amount of bills, the content is also disturbing. Many bills aim to ban “gender-affirming” healthcare for minors. While some argue that these kids simply suffer from some delusion, there’s real science to support the claim that transgender youth benefit from gender-affirming care. Gender dysphoria is a term used to describe the feeling of unease and discomfort due to sex assigned at birth v.s. gender identity. It is even reported that those who experience gender dysphoria likely experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. One of the most sure ways to help “treat” people who suffer from gender dysphoria is to provide gender-affirming healthcare. Taking away gender-affirming care is not only taking away healthcare for children but putting lives and well-being at risk.

While these issues may seem unrealistic, many are already proposed or signed in Georgia. As of March SB 140, an act aiming to “Prohibit certain surgical procedures for the treatment of gender dysphoria in minors” is law. SB 140 is one of five that have been proposed in Georgia, along with the other 600+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the country. Most of these target healthcare, being to change legal documents, the ability to discuss the LGBTQ+ in the classroom, and even banning drag shows, a blatant attack on queer people and their safe places. 

Many people who support these bills say they are for the “protection of children.” Many laws have been passed to ban drag shows, claiming they are “perverse,” or inappropriate. If this is true, isn’t it the same with all media? You do not see movies or songs being outlawed because they include profanity or “suggestive” content. Drag shows are the same, some may be for an adult audience, but others are perfectly fine for younger viewers. There are even drag “shows” specifically for kids that include reading picture books, or just getting to talk to the performer.

People also believe that religion warrants the restriction of the LGBTQ+. However, the U.S. government has always intended to be free of religion. The first amendment of the constitution says,  “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.” Even if this were not true, people willing to stake their moral code in the Bible should know that homosexuality was not in the text until 1946. It was mistranslated by a group of religious figures who attempted to translate the Bible into modern English. Even if it was, what happened to “love thy neighbor”?

Until we can ensure safety for everyone, lawmakers need to look past the hate in their own hearts and understand these bills are threatening the lives of not just adults, but children. The rapid incline in anti-LGBTQ+ bills is a thinly veiled attempt to attack and silence queer people, making one wonder if America is truly the land of the free?

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