By Queer Robi
LGBT issues are likely to be a major topic in the 2024 presidential election, as well as in many state legislatures. Here is a brief report on some of the key issues and developments that may affect the LGBTQ+ community in the next few years:
- The Equality Act: This is a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in various areas, such as employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. President Joe Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to pass the Equality Act, which has been stalled in the Senate since 20191. The bill has the support of most Democrats and some Republicans, but also faces opposition from conservative groups and lawmakers who claim it would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights2.
- Anti-LGBTQ+ state bills: In 2023, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed by Republican state legislators, with a significant portion targeting transgender people3. Some of the most common types of bills include:
- Bans on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth: These bills would prohibit or criminalize the provision of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgery to minors who identify as transgender or nonbinary. Supporters of these bills argue that they are protecting children from irreversible medical interventions, while opponents contend that they are denying them access to life-saving and evidence-based care4.
- Bans on transgender athletes in school sports: These bills would require student athletes to compete in sports teams based on their sex assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity. Proponents of these bills claim that they are ensuring fairness and safety in women’s sports, while critics assert that they are discriminating against transgender girls and violating their civil rights.
- Bans on LGBTQ+ education and expression: These bills would restrict the teaching of LGBTQ+ topics in schools, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and history. They would also limit the expression of LGBTQ+ identity in public spaces, such as drag shows, books, and flags. Advocates of these bills say that they are protecting children from inappropriate or harmful content, while opponents argue that they are censoring and erasing LGBTQ+ people and culture.
- LGBTQ+ rights in the 2024 presidential race: The 2024 presidential candidates have different views and positions on LGBTQ+ issues, which may influence the voting preferences of LGBTQ+ voters and allies. Some of the major candidates and their stances are:
- Joe Biden (D): Biden has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, both as vice president and as president. He signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and has urged Congress to pass the Equality Act. He has also taken executive actions to reverse the Trump administration’s policies that rolled back LGBTQ+ protections, such as banning transgender people from serving in the military and allowing discrimination by health care providers and adoption agencies1.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (D): Kennedy’s campaign has faced some controversy over his involvement with Moms for Liberty, a group that opposes LGBTQ+ education in schools. He later withdrew from speaking at their event and said that he respects gay rights and would protect them as president. However, he has also expressed skepticism about gender-affirming care for transgender youth, saying that he was distressed by some of the practices and that puberty blockers need to be looked into1.
- Marianne Williamson (D): Williamson has pledged to support both the Equality Act and the Equal Rights Amendment, which would enshrine gender equality into the Constitution. She has also promised to appoint an attorney general who would prosecute hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people, restore funding for HIV/AIDS programs, declare trans murder and suicide rates as a national emergency, and take other steps to protect the LGBTQ+ community1.
- Republican candidates: Most of the Republican candidates have taken a conservative stance on LGBTQ+ issues, opposing the Equality Act, supporting anti-LGBTQ+ state bills, and criticizing Biden’s policies. Some of the prominent candidates and their views are:
- Ted Cruz ®: Cruz has been one of the most vocal opponents of LGBTQ+ rights, calling the Equality Act a “radical assault” on religious liberty and parental rights. He has also introduced legislation to ban transgender athletes from competing in school sports, saying that it would protect the “future of girls and women’s sports”.
- Nikki Haley ®: Haley has expressed some support for LGBTQ+ rights, such as opposing a bill that would ban transgender people from using public restrooms that match their gender identity when she was governor of South Carolina. However, she has also criticized the Equality Act, saying that it would “undermine” the rights of women and religious groups.
- Ron DeSantis ®: DeSantis has signed several anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law as governor of Florida, such as banning transgender girls from playing in women’s sports and prohibiting schools from teaching about LGBTQ+ history and identity. He has also accused Biden of “pushing transgender ideology” on children and the military.
1: Here’s where the 2024 presidential candidates stand on LGBTQ+ issues 2: Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2024 3: Anti-Trans Legislation Surge Points to 2024 as Potential Flashpoint for LGBTQ+ Rights 4: What You Need to Know About Anti-Trans Health Care Bills : The Facts About Transgender Athletes and Fairness in Women’s Sports : Free Speech & Expression Bans : Ted Cruz introduces bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in school sports : Nikki Haley says Equality Act would ‘undermine’ women’s rights : Ron DeSantis signs bill banning transgender girls from school sports
