The Boston-based Fenway Institute has just released a policy brief calling out some 98 bills aimed at restricting the ability of transgender and gender diverse youth to access health care, school facilities and school athletics in 33 US states. It also provides guidance for clinicians, parents, school officials, and lawmakers.
“We are midway through National Transgender Awareness Month, which is a time to honor, celebrate, and advocate for transgender and gender diverse people,” said Carrie Richgels, lead author of the study and manager of policy and advocacy at Fenway Health in a Fenway news brief.
“Despite the many barriers to health and well-being that transgender people face, many politicians are all too willing to play politics with the lives of transgender and gender diverse children and teenagers. We hope this policy brief can be used as a tool by health and legal advocates working to defeat these discriminatory bills,” Richgels said in the brief, which goes on to explain:
The policy brief, titled “State bills restricting access of transgender youth to health care, school facilities, and school athletics threaten health and well-being,” [along with calling out the 98 pieces of harmful legislation,] outlines recommendations for clinicians, parents and other caregivers, school officials, and lawmakers. They include the following:
The policy brief, titled “State bills restricting access of transgender youth to health care, school facilities, and school athletics threaten health and well-being,” outlines recommendations for clinicians, parents and other caregivers, school officials, and lawmakers. They include the following:
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- Medical providers have a responsibility to be familiar with the most up-to-date scientific and clinical information.
- Parent and other caregivers should create a supportive home environment, connect their child or adolescent with gender-affirming health care providers, and collaborate with school officials to create a plan to support your child.
- School officials must:
- Incorporate LGBTQIA+ history into the curriculum for all students.
- Ensure that all students hear from LGBTQIA+ people, so that young people have a human face and experience to reference and relate to.
- Establish firm policies around harassment to prevent bullying with clear procedures staff can follow.
- Create space for kids to meet and interact with other kids like them. Gender-Sexuality Alliance programs allow LGBTQIA+ students and allies to come together in a protected space to share experiences.
Read the complete news brief here on the Fenway Health website. You can also access the policy brief here.
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