The Problem...
The Facts:
- Indiana has passed Senate Bill 480 and House Bill 1569 that directly targets transgender individuals.
- Indiana is not the only state pushing for anti-LGBT+ legislation. LGBT+ rights have been targeted coast to coast in the US (Chapman). In 2023 alone, states across the US have attempted to pass 534 bills in counting that are anti-lgbt+.
- Do not lose hope. People are fighting against hate by attempting to pass legislation that helps and protects the LGBT+ community. This year,
283 pro-LGBT+ bills in counting have been filed in the US nationwide.
The Bills:
Indiana House Bill 1569 Explained:
- In effect as of 7/1/2023
- Bans sexual reassignment surgery for incarcerated individuals in need of gender affirming care.
- HB 1569 states, "The department may not authorize the payment of any money, the use of any state resources, or the payment of any federal money administeredby the state to provide or facilitate sexual reassignment surgery to an offender patient" (H.R. 1569).
- Offender patient: An inmate currently serving time at an Indiana correctional facility (jail, prison, etc).
- Sexual Reassignment Surgery:Includes the following procedures: sterilization, reconstructive surgery of the genitals to give the appearance of the patients desired sex (colloquially known as bottom surgery), and the removal of healthy body tissue (removal of breast tissue for gender affirmation; ie top surgery).
