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The following statement was released by Charlotte Pride following the introduction of several bills targeting trans youth in the North Carolina General Assembly:
Last week, North Carolina lawmakers introduced a series of bills targeting trans youth’s access to gender-affirming care and the right to play the sport that matches their gender. Charlotte Pride condemns SB 560, SB 639, SB 641, SB 631/HB 574, and SB 636 as nothing more than attempts to attack and further marginalize the LGBTQ+ community.
Senate Bill 560 would impose medically unnecessary constraints on consent and waiting periods to access gender-affirming care, prohibit telehealth visits for gender-affirming counseling and treatment, and prevent any provider who provides gender-affirming care from receiving public funding. Senate Bill 639 would ban healthcare and mental healthcare providers from providing gender-affirming care to minors. Senate Bill 641 would give healthcare providers the legal right to discriminate against trans (and other LGBTQ) patients and decline them healthcare based on “religious, moral, or ethical beliefs or principles.” Senate Bill 631/House Bill 574 and Senate Bill 636 would require all student athletes to play on teams according to their sex assigned at birth and not gender identity, thus preventing trans athletes from playing on teams based on their gender.
The “Medical Treatment for Minors Act,” “Youth Health Protection Act,” “Medical Ethics Defense Act,” “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” and “Student Athlete Transparency” bill all pretend to be in the best interest of trans youth, student athletes, and healthcare providers when, in reality, they would only codify discrimination into law.
Attacks like this have been happening across the country at record speed and they must be stopped. We all deserve to live in a world free from discrimination and Charlotte Pride will continue to do everything we can to ensure a future where everyone can thrive. We will stand and fight against discriminatory policy and invite everyone to join us.
