On January 19th at 6pm EST, an event is being held at Kennedy Library for a discussion on recent anti-LGBTQ+ bills being proposed in the Indiana House of Representatives. Muncie Resists and Muncie Queer Alliance are hosting the event and the panel is expected to include LGBTQ+ healthcare provider Kathy Feeney, District 34 Representative Sue Errington, community member Jay Kibble, community member and editor of the Muncie Post-Democrat Daisy Dale, and supporting the event is MADVoters co-founder Chelsea McDonnel. A full list of panelists is TBD.
The event highlights several newly proposed bills by Republican house members and their implications on trans individuals’ access to healthcare and ability to change legal documents. One of the bills is HB 1291, which would replace the term “gender” with “biological sex” on legal documents, and effectively prevent trans people from pursuing their legal transition. Additionally, it would also put trans individuals in prisons based on what they were assigned at birth, and defines marriage in Indiana as between a biological male and biological female. The Indiana ACLU has stated they don’t believe it would put gay marriage in jeopardy, but many are questioning what impact this will have with future legislation.
Posted by MADVoters
The bill was authored by Rep. Chris Judy, whose email is h83@iga.in.gov and phone number is 317-232-9863, as well as Rep. Joanna King, whose email is h49@iga.in.gov and phone number is 317-232-9657. Rep. Michelle Davis, whose email interestingly enough is h58@iga.in.gov and phone number is 317-232-9769, and also Rep. Robert Morris, who in case you were wondering has the email h84@iga.in.gov and his phone number is 317-232-9619.
Chelsea McDonnel believes emailing and calling are important.
Another proposed bill is HB 1266, which if passed would allow health care providers to discriminate against not only LGBTQ+ individuals, but deny heath care to anyone on the basis of violating their religious beliefs. Providers in this case can range from pharmacists to paramedics. McDonnel says we have the right messaging on opposing these bills and it’s really a matter of reaching the right people.
The bills have been assigned to committee but have yet to be introduced. They can be picked up officially by a committee on January 16th and by February 1st could be sent to the House. Other bills that could impact trans and all LGBTQ+ individuals are SB 46, SB 128, and HB 1221. In early 2023 a similar wave of proposed bills swept the legislature, and ultimately led to a federal court blocking a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth. There was also HB 1524 which would have prevented trans people from updating birth certificates though it never made it to vote.
See event page on Facebook
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