An Update on the Ongoing Attacks on Gender Affirming Care in the State of West Virginia
This is brief update with the most recent information I was provided.
On Saturday, January 14th, I was informed about more measures being taken to ban gender affirming care from sitting state legislators.
According to a trusted source who helped to obtain the SCAM Act draft, Delegate Brandon Steele has asked that HB 2007 (the banning of gender affirming surgery for minors), the Caucus’ “top priority”. Meaning should Delegate Steele have his way, this bill could hit agenda this week and potentially the floor by end of week. As of right now, the bill is not on the House and Human Resources Committee agenda, but that could change.
Meanwhile, Delegate Chiarelli is actively looking into ways ban gender affirming care for adults. For those who are unaware, Geno is a member of the New Columbia Movement, which is a christofascist Catholic organization. Delegate Chiarelli has made numerous trans and homophobic on the record remarks at public meetings. He views us LGBTQ+ folks as “an ideology” and not as people. He has also claimed the left has "its own satanic church" with a "vaccine eucharist" and "transgenderism holy order".
In this email chain with Delegate Steele and Senator Azinger, Azinger went on to state that he will be introducing more anti-LGBTQ+ bills this week. Some of these bills have the potential to ban books and drag performances.
As we head into the first full week of the 2023 West Virginia Legislative Session, it is evident that our elected officials are focusing on attacking marginalized communities rather than addressing actual issues in West Virginia.
I will do my best to keep reporting as these bills are introduced in the House and Senate. I am also working on creating an easy to use bill tracker that I will be sure to post tomorrow. Stay safe, y’all.
Thanks for the update. Very concerning!