Last week, the Exponent published an article about how several bills across the United States are targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community. Since then, more legislation has been introduced, requiring updates to the list.
The federal government has removed information related to what it deems “gender ideology” from websites, contracts, emails and memos. This order was issued near the end of January, giving government agencies only a few days to comply. In addition to this removal of language and terminology, grants and funding for research related to “gender ideology” were revoked to “ensure grant funds do not promote gender ideology,” according to an executive order signed by Donald Trump. However, this is not just a targeted removal of information or a budget cut—it has broader implications.
“If you’re doing a broad study of people, you’re going to have gay people, bi people and trans people in your sample,” explained Mandi Pratt-Chapman, a cancer researcher whose funding was cut. “By not capturing that data, you have less information as a scientist to distinguish potential patterns.”
These cuts to research will have long-term impacts on society, leading to job losses and gaps in medical understanding, which could result in misdiagnoses and complications in disease treatment. However, this issue is not just on the national level.
In Texas, a proposed bill, House Bill 3817, would make it a state felony to be charged with “gender identity fraud.” If found guilty, transgender individuals could face two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
According to the bill, “gender identity fraud” would be committed if a person “knowingly makes a false or misleading verbal or written statement to a governmental entity or the person’s employer by identifying the person’s biological sex as the opposite of the biological sex assigned to the person at birth.” The bill does not clearly explain how it would be enforced, raising concerns about its potential consequences.
House Bill 3817 is an example of the government’s next steps to restrict, criminalize and erase LGBTQ+ individuals. If this bill passes, copycat bills could emerge, pushing for similar or even more severe punishments.
While these legislative actions are happening at the state and national levels, their impact is also being felt locally. In school districts, books featuring queer characters are being challenged, and some school board candidates are campaigning to control what students can wear and what names they are allowed to use in the classroom. Additionally, some districts have enacted “parental rights” policies that force staff members to inform parents of students’ gender identities, sexual orientations or name changes—even if the student does not consent.
Some of these policies have faced legal challenges or community backlash, while others have been met with silence, indifference or even support from those who argue that such control over children’s identities is necessary to “protect” them. However, research has shown that policies like these put children—queer or not—at greater risk, increasing bullying and suicide rates whenever such measures are implemented.
