Delaware is not alone: Ohio also has bad things in store for transgender youth. (thread)
In late May, Ohio Rep Tom Brinkman introduced House Bill 658, which would require school administrators, teachers & counselors to determine what they believe are signs of “gender dysphoria” in students and, by law, report back to parents. 2/
Any young person whose expressed gender identity doesn’t match their biological gender would be reported to their parents in writing. It would be up to teachers/administrators/counselors to determine what is "gender appropriate." 3/
The bill would make it a fourth-degree FELONY for any “government entity" to provide “dysphoria treatment” to students. "Treatment" in this case is code for "education & support." 4/
The bill says “Educational materials, classes, or programs, and medical, psychological, social, or other professional treatment, therapy, counseling, or other services” are considered “treatment” and would be criminalized. 5/
The @OhioEA (teacher's union), opposes the bill, stating it is contrary to OEA’s belief that "all persons, regardless of gender orientation, should be afforded equal opportunity and guaranteed a safe and inclusive environment within the public education system." 6/
Ohio's HB 658 will likely go to legislature in the fall. In the meantime, we need to be aware of these pending pieces of legislation, as the media attacks against trans people & transgender kids will ramp up in the coming weeks. 7/
This is not about parents' rights - it's about hurting trans kids. In targeting transgender children, the bill creates requirements that out transgender students & impose a significant threat of bullying & reduced access to support. 8/
EVERY major medical & psychological association including the AMA, APA & others agree that transition-related care is medically necessary. This is a discussion between families & their doctors - not school administrators, teachers, or anyone else. 9/
Additionally, there's not just one way to be a boy, or one correct way to be a girl, or a single way to express yourself as either - let alone anywhere on the spectrum between those two options. This bill will support the enforcement of outdated gender roles & stereotypes. 10/
Recent studies support the idea that more young people identify outside of the gender binary. A recent @CNN article cites 4x as many as previously thought, and in California, 1 in 4 young people are breaking/blurring the lines of gender. Ohio is not Cali, true. But still. 11/
Bottom line: HB 658 is not only anti-trans, it's anti-trans youth, and it's being pushed through scare tactics and misinformation. And it's dangerous. For more info as it progresses, follow @EqualityOhio @acluohio @aclu 12/12
