Thread by @EthnicMediaSvc

In 10 minutes, @EthnicMediaSvc begins a discussion on the war against transgender people. Watch live here: ethnicmediaservices.org/media-briefing… @RepGeneWu @1NadineSmith @sailorjones @CommonCause @transyouthequality #transgender

@1NadineSmith of @equalityfl discusses a bill in the Florida state Legislature that would ban trans athletes from participating. "This was a result of focus group testing. Trans issues make people uncomfortable."

"In Florida, we have a governor trying to outflank Trump on the right, said Nadine Smith referring to @RonDeSantisFL "He has brought all the MAGA issues to the forefront. All the rhetoric is so dehumanizing." @1NadineSmith @equalityfl #transgender

A bathroom bill in Florida is so vague that all can police who uses the bathroom. Many trans people do not drink fluids when out in public for fear of being accosted when they use the restroom, says Nadine Smith of Equality Florida. @1NadineSmith @equalityfl

Most chilling is a ban on gender-affirming care and criminalizing health care providers who provide such services. @1NadineSmith @equalityfl #transgender Textbook publishers are censoring themselves to get through Florida's book bans. #bookbans @RonDeSantisFL

"The objective is sort of an apartheid state," says @1NadineSmith @equalityfl "It is unresolved political conflict. We are going backwards."

Rep. Gene Wu @GeneforTexas explains anti-trans legislation in Texas. "We've killed this bill three times" but it keeps coming back. "They've devoted this much effort into demonizing a small minority community that's done nothing to them." #Texas #antitrans

"This session, we're also targetting Chinese people," says Rep. Gene Wu, noting that the MO for the Texas state Legislature is to target people on the periphery of society. @GeneforTexas #Muslimban "It's only a matter of time before they get to you."

"I don't know that we Democrats can stop the anti-trans bill in Texas," says Rep. Gene Wu. @GeneforTexas "The only thing that's going to stop this is for average Texans to stand up and say no! If you focus on these issues, we will punish you."

"I have never lost any sleep over doing what is right. If I lose my seat, so be it," says Rep. Gene Wu, @GeneforTexas "My answer to everyone is 'leave people alone!' It's none of anyone's business who I sleep with, what I do with my body."

@sailorjones of @CommonCause talks about anti-trans legislation in North Carolina. More than 500 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the country. In North Carolina, there are 12 bills under review, including the "Parents Bill of Rights" and "Fairness in Sports."

Legislators have banned drag performances and LGBT curricula in schools, says @sailorjones of @CommonCause. North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson has said he is serving "God's mission" to fight against transgender people #NorthCarolina #tarheels

Transgender people and their parents have had limited opportunities to fight back, says Sailor Jones of Common Cause. @sailorjones @CommonCause "Now is the time to speak out and fight."

Susan Maasch of the Transgender Youth Equality Foundation discusses transgender youth and their families who are fleeing red states, mostly Florida and Texas. "Families are so scared about the emboldening of hate. They are dumping their homes, leaving their relatives."

"Children are feeling ashamed about being the reason their families have to flee," says Susan Maasch of @TYEFofficial "Many are heading to safe states where they don't know anyone."

People are most afraid of the escalation of hate in their schools and communities and not being able to get appropriate healthcare. Doctors are forcing children to get off their hormone therapy and not treating trans kids, says Susan Maasch of @TYEFofficial

There used to be a gender clinic in every state in this country. Now they're closing down, says Susan Maasch of @TYEFofficial

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