# Republicans' war on transgender people: Omnibus thread

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [June 3, 2022, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609 "2022-06-03T02:20:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 28

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/541 "2023-03-22T17:54:20Z")

</div>

> [@Sitnam](#):
>
> The amount doing this. For you, it’s the GOP, for me it’s some people in the GOP.

If by “some people” you mean “Pretty much everyone of any influence in the GOP for the past half century”, then yes.

Random voters - probably not.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/542 "2023-03-22T18:10:57Z")

</div>

Alright, I haven’t had the appropriate amount of Kool-aid to get into the frothy outrage you guys are all indulging in.

I’ll show myself out.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/543 "2023-03-22T18:16:45Z")

</div>

Case in point, the Republican majority in the US Senate letting a Supreme Court seat stay vacant for 14 months during an election year, “So the president the people are about to choose can make an appointment to his liking.”

The very same people rushing the appointee for the next vacancy through a month and a half before a Presidential election, and not even blinking as they did it.

ETA: “I can’t come up with any counterarguments so I’m running away, now.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/544 "2023-03-22T18:18:31Z")

</div>

What exactly do they have to do so you won’t reject the outrage as “Kool-aid” induced?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/545 "2023-03-22T18:22:30Z")

</div>

Do you not think there’s significant voter suppression? Have you seen (forget which state) law making it illegal to offer a bottle of water to voters who’ve been waiting in lines for hours because the Republicans underfund voting sites in Democratic areas?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/546 "2023-03-22T18:25:30Z")

</div>

Go along with the idea that the troublemakers in the Republican Party are a tiny minority, and ignore the fact that they are enabled by the vast majority.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/547 "2023-03-22T20:02:23Z")

</div>

> [@Sitnam](#):
>
> The amount doing this. For you, it’s the GOP, for me it’s some people in the GOP.

Put another way: who in the GOP is not doing this? Is there someone specific? Is there a groundswell of opposition in the body of the GOP to these ideas?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/548 "2023-03-22T23:06:29Z")

</div>

I want to show my daffy landlord a video talking about the massive efforts the GOP are going to to persecute trans people and children in America, including the 400 bills that have been laid before state houses.

Anyone got one?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/549 "2023-03-22T23:35:00Z")

</div>

> [@Sitnam](#):
>
> Sure, but it’s not a solid long term strategy, as evidenced by the overwhelming success of Gay Marriage even in conservative states.

The speed of change and sheer distance between attitudes toward LGB people from a few decades ago until now is utterly unparalleled.

Those who study these things have attributed the unprecedented turn-around to people going from thinking they did not know anyone who was LGB, to learning that they had friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers, etc. who were, and who were being hurt by antigay laws and policies and attitudes.

There are far fewer trans people, and the laws are getting harsher. I’m not sure people will be willing to come out, or would be remotely safe doing so, with folks who “don’t know any trans people” in conservative states.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2023, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/550 "2023-03-23T01:23:46Z")

</div>

> [@Love\_Rhombus](#):
>
> Is there a groundswell of opposition in the body of the GOP to these ideas?

It’s the same groundswell that happened when the party’s leader instigated an attempt to stop the process of his losing the election and put the whole of congress, plus the Vice-President’s, lives at risk. “At last he has gone too far,” they said. “We repudiate any and all of his actions leading up to that insidious day.”  
I can’t believe I typed that with a straight face.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/551 "2023-03-23T16:40:30Z")

</div>

> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> Have you seen (forget which state) law making it illegal to offer a bottle of water to voters who’ve been waiting in lines for hours

That’s Florida, Georgia, and New York, I believe.

~Max

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/552 "2023-03-23T17:40:42Z")

</div>

Florida has a new law that also restricts the hours ballot drop boxes can be open, and makes them more expensive to run.

> **[Florida ran a nearly flawless election in 2020. Republicans decided to change...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/08/florida-voting-law/)**
>
> A new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis will make it harder for people to vote by mail and blocks private donations to assist elections.

Georgia has a new law passed in reaction to an increase in voting, especially in Black neighborhoods

> **[New limits on food and water at Georgia’s polls could hinder Black and...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/04/09/georgia-voting-laws-food/)**
>
> Georgia lawmakers say they're trying to prevent politicians and organizations from influencing the vote.

New York has an old law that’s likely to be rescinded

[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-19/new-york-looks-to-loosen-ban-on-giving-water-to-voters-in-line?leadSource=uverify%20wall](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-19/new-york-looks-to-loosen-ban-on-giving-water-to-voters-in-line?leadSource=uverify%20wall)

Which of these things is not like the others?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/553 "2023-03-23T18:01:24Z")

</div>

The Florida law (the same one that covers line warming by the way) was actually overturned in court, last I heard. League of Women Voters sued Secretary Lee and had it enjoined. Georgia and New York’s bans are still in effect.

I get the point you’re trying to make though.

~Max

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/554 "2023-03-27T20:37:56Z")

</div>

> [@eschrodinger](#):
>
> I’m not sure people will be willing to come out, or would be remotely safe doing so, with folks who “don’t know any trans people” in conservative states.

Anecdotally, this is exactly correct. I came out and started transition a little over five years ago, when there seemed to be an upswell of positive public opinion and social/medical support for trans folk. If I hadn’t then, no way in hell would I now. I would have carried on being miserable and quietly offed myself at some point.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/555 "2023-03-27T20:43:40Z")

</div>

I’m happy you were able to come out, and hope it doesn’t bite you in the butt. The northeast is still pretty trans-friendly. So’s most of Canada.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/556 "2023-03-27T20:46:36Z")

</div>

> [@NinthAcolyte](#):
>
> I came out and started transition a little over five years ago, when there seemed to be an upswell of positive public opinion and social/medical support for trans folk.

I hope you also have support from people you know around you as well. Good luck in your journey.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/557 "2023-03-27T20:48:44Z")

</div>

Cheers! I was in Southern CA when I got started, and I just moved to Minnesota in part because it’s pretty reliably trans-friendly. And I pass OK in most casual encounters, so I’m not super worried.

I don’t mind keeping my at-birth genitals as-is and I have a trans-pride-themed tattoo, so like. If things get _really_ bad I’ll definitely wind up in the gulag or gas chamber. But I’m OK for now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/558 "2023-03-28T04:02:04Z")

</div>

> [@NinthAcolyte](#):
>
> Anecdotally, this is exactly correct. I came out and started transition a little over five years ago, when there seemed to be an upswell of positive public opinion and social/medical support for trans folk. If I hadn’t then, no way in hell would I now. I would have carried on being miserable and quietly offed myself at some point.

I was in a state that tried to pass a bunch of hateful initiatives in the early 90s, banning LGB teachers, for example, and listing being gay along side things like bestiality and necrophilia. It was an ugly time, but people came out to fight it, to let the people in their lives know that it affected them.

As ugly as that stuff was, and as much as it caused bigotry and hate and gay bashing to rise, it was small potatoes compared to what’s going on now. There are states where it’s simply illegal to exist in the state, as a person who wears the “wrong” clothes in public. And taking away healthcare, jobs, and any ability to legally use a restroom away from home.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/559 "2023-03-28T13:38:57Z")

</div>

> [@eschrodinger](#):
>
> There are states where it’s simply illegal to exist in the state, as a person who wears the “wrong” clothes in public.

Where has it gotten that bad? (I can see where some states are heading that way, but the closest I’ve seen is banning public entertainment in “clothes opposite of your gender” or whatever to hatefully and ignorantly try to stop drag shows.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609/560 "2023-03-28T14:58:55Z")

</div>

I was going by the summary in the first paragraph here:

> **[Everything That Happened in Anti-Trans Legislation This Week: Feb 25-March 3](https://www.them.us/story/anti-lgbtq-legislation-bills-tracker-us)**
>
> Tennessee signed the nation's first drag ban into law and became the latest state to put a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth.

I have not read the law myself, but I will take a look later when I have time.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609.md?page=27)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-war-on-transgender-people-omnibus-thread/965609.md?page=29)
