Across the United States, fervor for passing anti-trans laws has reached an all-time high within the political right -– affecting even counties in politically “blue” states, such as Butte.
In some states, health care providers already face felony charges for offering gender-affirming care. Advocates for the trans community say such care is integral for a successful transition.
More bills targeting transgender rights have been introduced and become law this year than at any time in U.S. history. There have been 543 anti-trans bills proposed nationwide in 2023 alone, according to the website Trans Legislation Tracker. Of these, 71 have passed.
Even in California, Republican lawmakers have joined in launching attacks on the rights of LGBTQ youth. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) -– who represents nearly all of interior Northern California, including Chico, Redding and Susanville in the House of Representatives -– has been pushing bills seeking to limit health care funding for, and criminalizing, gender reassignment surgery since 2020.