HB2796 is an absolutely blatant attempt to strip away the civil rights of transgender people; and it’s absolutely fucking terrifying.
Quoting the official summary of HB2796:
This bill prohibits the word “sex” or “gender” from being interpreted to mean “gender identity,” and requires “man” or “woman” to be interpreted to refer exclusively to a person’s genetic sex, for purposes determining the meaning of federal civil rights laws or related federal administrative agency regulations or guidance. No federal civil rights law shall be interpreted to treat gender identity or transgender status as a protected class, unless it expressly designates “gender identity” or “transgender status” as a protected class.
HB2796 is currently with the Republican-majority House Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. Please, PLEASE–especially if you’re cisgender, and doubly if you’re one of their constituents–call the Representatives on the committee and explain just how much damage this will do, how many lives it will destroy, and how many legislative careers (hopefully) hinge on its passage or failure.
Committee members are:
Chairman Steve King (R-IA-04; King is also one of HB2796′s sponsors) – (202) 225-4426
Vice Chairman Ron DeSantis (R-FL-06) – (202) 225-2706
Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ-08; Franks is also one of HB2796’s sponsors) – (202) 225-4576
(Note – Listed phone numbers are for DC offices only, but links go to pages with both district and federal office information, as well as additional avenues of contact.)
Once more for the weekday / West coast crowd.
OP back, with a few additional notes:
If you’re not getting answers at the numbers listed above, the representatives’ names link to info on additional ways to contact them.
Contact your own representatives, too, and make sure they’re aware of the bill and that it’s important to their constituents.
On one hand: yeah, this is probably junk legislation. Handel attempted to pass a similar amendment to the military appropriations bill and failed, then immediately introduced HB2796 in response. On the other hand: With the current political climate and an administration that gives no shits about constitutional rights, I’m not willing to gamble on that; and furthermore, it’s a goddamn unconscionable piece of legislation whether or not it’s expected to pass.
Let your elected representatives know that trans lives and dignity matter to American voters. Please.
…..What. The. FUCK.
Oh, this is such transparent bullshit. God, I am so far past done with these people.
