Trans people in the United States are under attack. Just this year, at least 491 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the United States. These anti-trans bills have an array of negative impacts, including:

• banning access to gender-affirming care for minors
• allowing a state to remove trans children from a parent or guardian’s custody if they are receiving gender affirming health care
• restricting access to gender-affirming care for adults
• targeting and retaliating against health care providers who provide gender-affirming care

It’s easy to feel hopeless right now, but one way we can fight back is by working together to pass a trans refuge bill in Delaware. And a bill has been introduced (House Bill 230) to do just that.

What is a trans refuge bill & how would it help? A trans refuge bill is designed to protect access to gender affirming health care through legal protections for health care providers and patients. It also bars the state from enforcing out-of-state court orders that would remove a child from a parent or guardian because they allow the child to receive gender-affirming health care. Twelve states so far have enacted similar policies, including both Maryland and New Jersey. Delaware can and should join them, and we can help make it happen!

Delaware's legislative session ends on June 30, so we need to make sure House Bill 230 passes by then so people don't have to wait another year for these protections.