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Maryland governor signs trans-inclusive order protecting gender-affirming care

In a major win for trans rights, Maryland governor Wes Moore has signed an order protecting gender-affirming care. 

In recent years, Republican lawmakers have ruthlessly targeted the rights of trans individuals across the United States. 

Since the start of 2023, over 300 anti-trans bills have been introduced across 43 states. 

According to Track Trans Legislation, Arkansas, West Virginia, Utah and Wyoming have already passed laws banning trans people from life-saving health care, sports participation, and using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. 

While right-wing lawmakers show no signs of slowing down their hateful and bigoted anti-trans agenda, some political figures have introduced legislation that fosters a safe environment for trans people.

On 6 June, Maryland’s Democrat governor Moore announced that he signed an executive order protecting gender-affirming care. 

Under the inclusive order, individuals “seeking, receiving, or providing gender-affirming care” will be protected from any “legal punishments” from states opposing trans healthcare. 

“In the state of Maryland, nobody should have to justify their own humanity,” Moore said in a statement.

“This order is focused on ensuring Maryland is a safe place for gender-affirming care, especially as other states take misguided and hateful steps to make gender-affirming care cause for legal retribution. In Maryland, we are going to lead on this issue.”

Lt. Governor of Maryland Aruna Miller echoed similar sentiments, stating: “In signing this executive order, this administration is saying to all LGBTQIA+ Marylanders: You deserve to be your authentic selves –– during Pride Month and every month. 

“You deserve to live safely, openly, and freely; and receive the gender-affirming care you need.” 

The state of Maryland is no stranger to implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive protections. 

Back in May, Moore signed The Trans Health Equity Act into law, which grants trans individuals more coverage regarding gender-affirming care. 

In 2022, Maryland switched the status of LGBTQ+ veterans who were discharged due to their sexual orientation or gender identity from “less-than-honourable discharge” to “honourably discharged.” The inclusive move was implemented to help secure them better state benefits, rights and privileges. 

While Maryland continues to showcase their LGBTQ+ allyship, other states have made it their mission to increase the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation.

On 6 June, the Human Rights Campaign declared its first “state of emergency” for LGBTQ+ citizens in the country. 

“We have officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the first time following an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year,” they announced in a statement. 

“More than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been signed into law this year alone, more than doubling last year’s number, which was previously the worst year on record.”

The post Maryland governor signs trans-inclusive order protecting gender-affirming care appeared first on GAY TIMES.


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