Human Rights Campaign (HRC) warned sexual minority Americans are facing a state of emergency for the first time in its more than 40-year history. .“The multiplying threats facing millions in our community are not just perceived — they are real, tangible and dangerous,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson in a Tuesday press release. .“In many cases, they are resulting in violence against LGBTQ+ people, forcing families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states, and triggering a tidal wave of increased homophobia and transphobia that puts the safety of each and every one of us at risk.”.As Pride Month continues, Robinson said HRC will be “working tirelessly to educate and arm the LGBTQ+ community with information and resources to ensure their safety — whether they’re planning summer travel through regions that are becoming increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ people, or whether they already live in a state where legislative assaults and political extremism are continuing to put a target on our backs.”.The release said a rise in hate spawned discriminatory laws creating hostile, dangerous environments for sexual minorities, prompting HRC to issue the warning and a guidebook. This guidebook provides sexual minorities with resources and information to ensure safety in all 50 states. .Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith said Florida “stands at the forefront of the fight against these oppressive laws now proliferating throughout the nation.”.“It is heartbreaking to witness families uproot themselves in search of access to healthcare and inclusive classrooms, free from book bans and censorship,” said Smith. .“Our universities, once renowned for their talent and innovation, are witnessing a drain of exceptional educators and students who now seek refuge in places where academic freedom and excellence prevail over political indoctrination.” .Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in August doctors who provide gender reassignment surgeries and puberty blockers to minors dealing with gender dysphoria should be sued. .READ MORE: Florida governor slams doctors for gender transition operations in youth."That's wrong," said DeSantis. ."And so, we've stood up and said — both from the health and children well-being perspective — you don't disfigure 10, 12, 13-year-old kids based on gender dysphoria." .Smith went on to say the erosion of civil liberties by extremists to further their political ambitions poses a direct threat to the health and safety of sexual minorities. She added it's imperative for people to recognize the gravity of the moment and commit themselves to standing up. .The release said the 2023 state legislative session was the worst year on record for sexual minority bills. There have been 525 bills introduced in 41 states. .Two-hundred twenty of those bills target transgender people. Seventy-six of them were signed into law as of Monday. .The release acknowledged transgender, non-binary, and gender conforming youth have been most affected by these bills. .Transgender sports bans in 21 states— 30% of high school-aged transgender youth — are affecting people by making them unable to play with their friends. As these bills extend into kindergarten and university, many more are impacted. .Gender transitions in minors bans in 20 states — 30.9% of these youth — are preventing them from accessing this treatment. In some of these states, treatment has been restricted for adults, especially through bans on public funds. .Bathroom bans in nine states — 14.8% of transgender people — are barring them from accessing school facilities matching their gender identity. More than 110,000 transgender people live in states where they are banned from using facilities in public settings outside of schools. .Robinson concluded by saying HRC’s top priority will always be ensuring sexual minorities are safe and have the tools they need to protect themselves against hostility, discrimination, and violence. She said it's incumbent on allies to stand with them and make clear they will not sit by. .“We’ll fight tooth and nail to ensure the safety and dignity of every LGBTQ+ person is respected and protected — without exception,” she said. .Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said in March minors should be barred from having gender transitions because the changes are permanent. .READ MORE: WATCH: Republican presidential candidate says minors should not change genders.“It’s an epidemic, but we’re going further now as a country,” said Ramaswamy. .“Where parents are taught the thing you’re supposed to do is affirm your kid’s gender confusion that the schools themselves created by going through surgery, by going through chemical intervention in the form of puberty blockers.”
