An Update from the NC General Assembly on Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
During this tumultuous time for transgender youth and their families in North Carolina, we wanted to be sure to send you a message keeping you up to date on what we know about legislation impacting the LGBTQ+ community and how your family can take steps to prepare.
The North Carolina General Assembly is still in legislative session, and the House has set August 7 for a vote to consider an override of Governor Roy Cooper’s vetoes of HB808 and HB574, two anti-transgender bills. HB808 would prohibit the initiation of gender-affirming care for people under 18 (but allows youth who initiated care prior to August 1 to continue receiving care), and HB574 prohibits transgender girls and young women from participating in school sports at the middle school, high school, and collegiate level.
HB808 was set to take effect on August 1, so unfortunately, if the veto of the bill is overridden in both the House and the Senate, the bill will take effect immediately.
Our teams at the Campaign for Southern Equality and Equality NC are here to fight these bills and to support you every step of the way, should they pass. Through the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project, we are connecting with families in North Carolina and across the South every day and helping them navigate their options with regard to ensuring continued access to gender-affirming care. We are also providing emergency grants of $500 to help cover the costs of additional travel and logistics, and whatever else your family needs during this challenging time. If you’d like to request support through STYEP, please visit www.southernequality.org/NCResources and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
Two other legislative notes:
Gov. Cooper has also vetoed SB49, a broad curriculum censorship bill known as North Carolina’s version of the notorious “Don’t Say LGBTQ” bill. No vote has been scheduled yet for considering an override of this bill.
There has not been further movement on SB631, which would prohibit state funding from being used to support gender-affirming care. We will keep you posted on this bill, which has passed the House.
Stay tuned for news about an Emergency Town Hall that we’ll host the week of August 7 to provide updated information about anti-LGBTQ+ bills in North Carolina.
We are sending love, support, and solidarity during this tough time. Please know that there is a large community fighting for you and working alongside you, and we will do everything in our power to work toward a future where all LGBTQ+ North Carolinians, including every transgender youth, can thrive.