Thread by @LyzSays

The overwhelming testimony regarding #hb2007 in #WestVirginia that this bill will result in the death of #transyouth. Clergy included. The line is out the door. Parents of trans kids are scared. Here's a thread on my thoughts and key take aways.
#folkreporter | @FolkReporters 1/

Rorhbach (Cabell - 26) continues to text in the background while people pour their hearts out. Suicide rates amongst trans kids are high. For trans youth it's transition or die. 2/

More testimony being given regarding letting qualified medical professionals help make these decisions not legislature. 3/

More clergy showing up standing with #transyouth which is rather impressive. 4/

Clarification this is not Rorhbach in that seat. @HansenForWV @officialdaniwv @kaylayoungforwv who is that sitting in that seat?

More medical providers are showing up stating that leading medical associations support #genderaffirmingcare 5/

Yes! Sam Green is talking about how WV has the largest trans youth population and that lawmakers will have to reckon with them when they can vote! 👏👏👏👏 6/

Witnesses say that only 11 to 15 of the delegates actually showed up today to listen to the public testimony. What? Why isn't attending mandatory? 7/

People are discussing the fleeing of trans youth and trans families from our state if this passes. We can't afford to lose more people. 8/

Can someone please make a list of the @wvhouse delegates who actually showed up for public testimony? Those who didn't show up need to be held accountable and we need to let them know this is unacceptable! 9/

A delegate is now reading a letter claiming detransition inaccuracies. 10/

My girl @sango4507 taking it hard regarding allowing 12 year old kids to get married. She says we are making laws based on Christianity and not medical experts. 11/

More mothers are pleading for their trans kids so they can survive in this state. Listen to #mothers. 12/

More testimony regarding people leaving WV for life saving care for their kids. People reminding them we have always been here. 13/

A priest is now speaking from Wood County using scripture to show loving your neighbors is the real law of the land. Binary doesnt tell the whole story. 14/

Joshua Higgenbotham is coming up. 15/

Joshua is reading a statement from a physician stating this bill is not moral. 16/

People are begging the legislature to not kill the people they love. More moms are having statements read for their kids. Mountain MaMas are showing up. 17/

Now @ash_in_wv is speaking. They tell the legislative body that they are bad at their jobs. They express gratitude to the trans siblings and their allies in the room and those who couldn't be here. Trans siblings are valid, seen and loved. 18/

Morgantown is one of the few growing communities in WV because they are inclusive. 19/

Michelle Earl is up and I love their shawl! Michelle states that they are affraid to admit they are gay in the state of West Virginia. Michelle goes on to read submitted testimony. The author pleads to let students be themselves. 20/

Grace speaking for a Methodist ally preaching how this goes against the teachings of Jesus Christ. 21/

More statements by mothers of trans kids who are begging for the lives of their children currently held in the balance by @wvlegislature 22/

Gender affirming care is evidence based suicide prevention. 23/

More people are talking about transition and gender affirming care bringing happiness to so many. 24/

Emily Bean is giving testimony about how they are lucky to be alive and don't feel welcome in their home state. 25/

A statement from a father is being read fighting for our kids. They ask why we aren't pro-life when it comes to trans youth. 26/

People are tired of having to come to Charleston to defend the existence of 2SLGBTQIA+ West Virginians. 27/

They are stating there is only 15 minutes left. I believe I heard @sango4507 yell at them to "fix the damn roads" and do something better with their time. 28/

Now @cgoodwoman is up and reading my statement and I'm so honored. 29/

More statements from parents in opposition to HB2007 and putting the legislature between parents, patients, and health care providers. Testimony states this is intentional oppression. 30/

.@rainbowpridewv is speaking now about how hard it already is to get care in West Virginia. Begging to lead with love. 31/

Now reading from Rev. Oliver Snow a trans clergy (whom I love deeply) reading from Matthew. Yes king yes! 32/

1/3rd of trans youth have attempted suicide by @UCLA study due to lack of access to care. WV already has high suicide rates. Sad that our kids would rather be dead than live in West Virginian. 33/

Another Christian mom of a Christian trans child. You can be both. This is an elimination act of violence in an attempt to make it so trans youth no longer exist. "I would rather have a live daughter than a dead son." 34/

"I don't want to have to walk through a field of the corpses of my dead friends" says a trans West Virginia kid. Moms are begging the legislature to protect their babies. 35/

Clergy now speaking about how this is the antithesis of who we are as west Virginians. We are kind and welcoming. This bill is not kind. 36/

Mental health care providers still emphasize that this will only increase suicide rates. 37/

A young person is calling out the fascism, religious ideology, lack of democracy, total theocracy, and bigotry driving this bill. 👏👏👏👏 38/

More kids speaking out begging the legislature to see them as humans, asking adults why they want to hurt them, and why they are so obsessed with this child's body. 39/

More health care providers standing in solidarity with the trans community. @WVUMedSchool students are showing up and speaking out. 🗣️ 40/

More testimony being read that this bill is meant to eradicate trans people. We have always been here. We will always be here. 41/

.@rainbowpridewv reading statements as to why the very exist trans children is doubted and denied. 42/

Someone is now spewing lies and saying that this is a red state and that if Republicans don't vote to pass hb2007 they will vote them out. He says that @WVUMedicine is chopping off the genitals of trans youth. (Not true). 43/

Robby Offsa a former art teacher, saying that suicide is irreversible and he's happily taught 4 surviving trans kids. Civil rights. #translivesmatter 44/

Nash is now speaking about the unconstitutional basis of the law violating the 14th amendment by due process clause, equal protection clause, and doesn't comply with nondiscrimination requirements of the federal government for funding. 45/

.@RustyWilliamsWV reading about the hate and bullying already happening against trans and queer kids. Sends solidarity to WV trans community with constant attacks coming from the people's house. Says off mic never forget that Jesus the hero was killed by the state.

The public hearing is now over. Shout out to @RustyWilliamsWV for dropping some @KillerMike and @runjewels on the people's house today! If you haven't listened to the song "Walking in the Snow" you should here:
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