DPCA pass resolution condemning Anti-Transgender legislation
The resolution was considered at the DPCA Global Meeting in May, passing unanimously.
May 17, 2021
Republican legislators in state capitol buildings across the United States have spent much of their spring legislative sessions drafting, debating, and even passing discriminatory bills which deprive transgender individuals of basic rights including healthcare, proper legal identification, and participation in sport. According to recent analysis from CNN, there have been over 100 bills targeting the transgender community proposed in 33 state legislatures since the beginning of 2021.
One such bill was recently adopted in the state of Arkansas when a majority of Republican legislators voted to overrule the veto of Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson. The so-called Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act bans gender-confirming surgery for anyone under 18 and, critically, prohibits doctors from providing puberty blockers or hormone therapy to transgender youth. This law makes Arkansas the first state to ban this type of vital medical care for transgender individuals.
With this piece of legislation in mind, DPCA Representatives Austin Allaire (Voting) and Brian Westley (Non-voting) drafted a resolution to condemn the actions of the Arkansas state legislature. The resolution states “that Democrats Abroad calls upon the State of Arkansas to put an end to this discriminatory law,” whilst also serving as a “clear condemnation of any and all anti-LGBTQ+ legislation – past, present, and future.” Furthermore, it elevates transgender rights as a topic of conversation during the DPCA’s annual Congressional door-knocking efforts with Members of Congress.
The resolution has been co-sponsored by many members of the DAUK delegation, including: Wen-Wen Lindroth (Chair), Brett McHargue (Vice Chair), Steph Ryde (Secretary), Joshua Van der Ploeg, Fred Sprague, Nicole Satullo, John Lindsay, Monica Tanouye, Caroline Rouchonnet, and Stephanie Randall.
The resolution also has the support of over 20 DPCA representatives living in countries around the world. From South Korea to Spain (and everywhere in-between) – DPCA Representatives are making it clear that discriminatory laws have no place in a modern, progressive society and that transgender rights are human rights.
Due to time constraints, consideration of the resolution was at first postponed.
After the stellar work of Austin, Brian, new elected DPCA Representative Stephanie Randall and DAUK Secretary Stephanie Ryde, the resolution was passed at the DPCA Global Meeting. It got postponed on Saturday with the majority of resolutions to be discussed later this summer, but was resurrected after a motion to reconsider was introduced by the DAUK Secretary. Thank you all for your hard work!
