Thread by @RewireNewsGroup

The celebration of Pride this month has been marred by a record-breaking 340+ bills introduced in state legislatures this year that have harmful impacts for the LGBTQ community, 24 of which were passed into law in 13 states.

“Opponents of transgender equality have stopped pretending that they’re trying to do anything other than target transgender kids,” said Cathryn Oakley, State Legislative Director and Senior Counsel at the @HRC. “They’re saying the quiet part out loud.”

To protect your rights, you need to know your rights. So let's go over the constitutional protections for LGBTQ rights in the United States, starting with the First Amendment.

This one's a little tricky, because #SCOTUS has used it to both protect and restrict LGBTQ rights.

One, Inc. v. Olesen (1958): allowed LGBTQ press to operate freely
Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (2000): allowed anti-LGBTQ discrimination
Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018): allowed anti-LGBTQ discrimination

More recently, however, the ~penumbras~, or rights derived by implication, of the Fourteenth Amendment has become the umbrella for constitutional rights of LGBTQ Americans.

Romer v. Evans (1996): grants protection from discrimination
Lawrence v. Texas (2003): abolishes sodomy laws
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): allows same-sex marriage

Now, the people coming after abortion access are coming for LGBTQ rights, especially trans rights, by coming for the 14th Amendment.

Keep following @RewireNewsGroup for essential coverage at this pivotal time in reproductive rights history.