Category: Courts / Laws / legal
Proposed Missouri bill would make teachers register as sex offenders if found supporting transgender students who socially transition
https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/08/us/missouri-lawmakers-felony-transgender-students-reaj/index.html
Some people weirdly think they have the right to tell others what to believe, what to wear, what to call themselves. The fundamentalist seem to want to force everyone to be like them, live like them, read only what they read. Hugs Scottie
4 minute readClouds pass over the Missouri State Capitol on Sept. 16, 2022, in Jefferson City, Mo.Jeff Roberson/APA newly proposed law in Missouri could charge teachers and counselors with a felony and require them to register as sex offenders if they’re found guilty of supporting transgender students who are socially transitioning.
Missouri state Rep. Jamie Gragg, a Republican, introduced HB 2885 last week. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would criminalize the act of “contributing to social transition” for anyone acting in an official capacity at their school, including providing informational or material support.
The proposed bill joins a string of anti-LGBTQ measures that have been filed in states across the US and comes amid a growing “parental rights” movement that seeks to empower parents to decide what can be taught in classrooms about gender, sexuality and race.
Numerous medical associations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, have said gender-affirming care, like social transitioning, is clinically appropriate for children and adults.
The bill defines social transitioning as “the process by which an individual adopts the name, pronouns, and gender expression, such as clothing or haircuts, that match the individual’s gender identity and not the gender assumed by the individual’s sex at birth.”
In Missouri, a person charged with a class E felony could face a maximum of four years in prison. A Tier I sex offender could also remain on the Sex Offender Registry for up to 15 years, according to another Missouri statute.
CNN has reached out to Gragg for comment.
In an interview with CNN affiliate KY3, Gragg said the goal of the bill is to “put the social learning development of our children back in the hands of the parents.”
“Ultimately, whose children are these? They belong to the family that they come from. If there is a situation where they don’t have that parental or guardian to go back on or to talk to, there is other help, professional help they can get,” Gragg told the outlet.
It is unclear if Gragg’s bill will be taken up in the state House and it has not been scheduled for a hearing.
‘Hateful and malicious’
LGBTQ advocates and Missourians have criticized the bill, including Gragg’s brother.
During a news conference Thursday, Charles Gragg, Jr., a retired and disabled veteran who lives in Springfield, Missouri, said he was shocked by the bill his younger brother authored and that the measure “took his breath away.”
“This bill is removing valuable support that is important for children. It needlessly targets teachers in addition to attacking those that they don’t agree with. It also attacks anyone who expresses compassion or tolerance and seeks to silence them. I believe it’s intended to remove them from the future conversations,” Gragg Jr. said.
Robert Fischer, communications director for PROMO, a LGBTQ+ policy and advocacy organization in Missouri that organized Thursday’s presser, said students and teachers have contacted the group to express concern about how the bill could impact educators.
“We will certainly have conversations with legislators to see what can be done, but also we’ll mobilize our community of LGBTQ+ Missourians and allies to fight back against this because teachers are an incredibly crucial part of our educational system,” Fischer said.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/22/us/pew-survey-curriculum-debate-reaj
GLSEN, an organization that aims to create safe and inclusive school environments for LGBTQ+ youth, also criticized the bill. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of GLSEN, said the bill is “deeply transphobic.”
“While this egregious bill is expected to die in committee hearings, it is increasingly alarming to watch extremist state legislators peddle anti-trans hate and continue to introduce discriminatory policies,” Willingham-Jaggers said in a statement to CNN. “Hate speech, especially when enshrined into discriminatory policies like these transphobic bills in Oklahoma and Missouri, leads to hate crimes.”
Oklahoma’s governor signed a bill into law last year banning gender-affirming care for minors with the possibility of a felony charge for health care professionals who provide it.
Last month, Nex Benedict, a nonbinary high school student in Oklahoma, died a day after they told their family they were involved in a fight at school. Civil rights groups and advocates have blamed a heightened and hostile climate against the LGBTQ+ community for contributing to Benedict’s death.
In 2023, at least 510 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union. The organization is also tracking 478 bills in the 2024 legislative session that restrict LGBTQ rights.
Gragg Jr. said he has not spoken with his brother about the bill and does not know what would inspire him to sponsor it.
“It’s just hateful and malicious. This legislation will cost lives and recklessly destroy others just for the sin of being compassionate.”
CNN’s Jen Christensen contributed to this report.
Naughty Nana DUZ Clips for Sunday.
Division in Oregon highlights growing political rift between rural and urban areas
Thank you, Ten Bears for sharing this video so I could post it. What I want every one to understand is something the news reporters and the station buried. The people upset and demanding this huge change … are only 20% of the population. Now I listened to it three times and I couldn’t decide if they were saying the people in the county or the rural people in the country. To me it sounded like country wide the rural people were demanding and were 20% of the population. Which sounds right if you look at population maps. Do you understand what that is? A small minority is demanding the entire country abandon its progressive move forward into the modern age so a small segment of the population can be satisfied and happy. It is minority rule over the majority. It is not democracy! It is what the fundamentalist Christians are trying to do right now to every red state on LGBTQ+ issues. Are we as a country going to allow the most violent vocal segments of our society force us back to a regressive past that will eventually destroy what the US really is and could be? Hugs. Scottie
Peter Greene: A Voucher By Any Other Name Is Still a Voucher and a Hoax
Thanks to at politicians are poody heads for the link. https://poodyheads.wordpress.com/2024/04/12/peter-greene-a-voucher-by-any-other-name-is-still-a-voucher-and-a-hoax/ Hugs. Scottie
Let’s talk about Trump failing with FISA, fading, and the future….
Kansas Bill Could Ban Minors From All LGBTQ Websites
I saw this story. I tried to post it from the newspaper but it was impossible. Then I see that Joe My God posted it. So here it is.
The author of the bill is a fundamentalist Christian and graduated from a Christian college. On democrat claims the bill is written too vague by mistake and would basically keep young people from any website that even mentions gay couples / LGBTQ+ information. Dude that is not a mistake it is what they want to use the law for. The goal is to remove any and all positive mentions from anyone under 18 in society. The further goal is to wipe the LGBTQ+ from society totally. The people behind these bills hate that LGBTQ+ people are treated with respect, affection, and equality. They hate that kids accept and like their LGBTQ+ fellow students. The right wants those kids to hate and target any other kid who is different for harassment and harm. Beat and scare those kids straight and cis. Hugs. Scottie
The Kansas City Star reports:
A Kansas bill could consider a photo of a same-sex couple holding hands pornographic, some Democratic lawmakers warn. They say a bill aimed at barring children from accessing online material considered harmful to minors could carry serious unintended consequences for LGBTQ+ communities.
The bill would require users to verify they are over 18 years old to enter any website where more than 25% of its content is deemed “harmful to minors.” It aims to restrict children’s access to pornography. However, homosexuality is listed in the statute alongside overtly sexual acts as harmful to minors.
The statute has raised questions about whether the law could be applied to censor LGBTQ+ content in books, chat rooms, and non-explicit photographs of same-sex couples. Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, would be in charge of determining what is considered obscene.
Read the full article. The bill has the backing of the “Christ-centered” anti-LGBTQ hate group, the Kansas Family Voice. Its author is GOP Rep. Susan Humphries, whose bio notes that she is a graduate of Texas Christian University.
For these fascist Rethugs, the “consequences” of LGBTQ erasure and eventual genocide are in no way “unintended.”
Feature not a bug.
Theoretically, JMG could be banned in Kansas without an age verification feature.
I was thinking that as soon as I saw this.
Funny thing is that we didn’t have access to any websites yet still turned out gay.
I would have loved to have had access to a site like JMG when I was a kid, it would have been so nice to have a supportive community like we have here on JMG
The fascists will go as far as they possibly can, implementing countless anti-LGBTQ laws, before they are pushed back. We still have time before we hit the iceberg but it’s a huge ship to turn around.
OMG…how much happier a struggling, self-tormented teen Mark would have been if there was a site like this, with so many wonderful, intelligent, funny & awesome people to let me know I wasn’t alone and that I would be alright.
It’s hard enough being 2LBGTQIA+ today, with access to information and support, but without it would be a nightmare.
Is Libs of TikTok a Terrorist?
Trans Kids Are Fighting for Their Rights in Texas
I want to thank Barry for sending me the link to this video. Best wishes friend. Scottie.
The video is about the politically driven fight to end trans care in Texas for minors and adults. And how it is affecting four trans families and others. In it you will hear false claims made about chopping off little boys penises which is not happening, but no mention of breast augmentation and nose jobs for teenage girls. You will hear claims made that are misinformation, lies, and myths. The goal is to create a straight cis fundamentalist Christian republican society ruled by men, and to do this they use the claims of saving the children to rile up the base and muddy the water to get more votes. They don’t care who they hurt in the process, they wouldn’t even allow current minors on puberty blockers and hormones to be weaned off or to continue treatment. This is not about the health of children as Texas did not accept summer food assistance for poor people, they did not do anything about school shootings and gun control, they did not increase child health care at all they only removed the medically accepted best practices for gender nonconforming kids. Hugs. Scottie
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs DEI bill into law: What the ‘divisive concepts’ ban will do
Let’s look at what is driving this push to end of diversity, equality, and inclusion. Seem that most people would want those things. Why would anyone want a large segment of the population to be treated as lessor, denied jobs, denied housing, denied loans, face unrestrained bigotry. It can only come down to bigotry and the fragility of white males, the need for fundamentalist to return to a time of strict gender roles, and a push by religious people to put their religious bigotry before the rights of LGBTQ+ people to just be themselves in society and at work. It is OK for black kids at the youngest ages to suffer discrimination, be made to feel bad about their skin color or have to feel fear of harm. But it is illegal to make white kids feel uncomfortable that 150 years ago white people kept black / brown people as property doing horrible things to them as slaves. WTF. The only reason any white kids would feel uncomfortable or hate themselves for hearing this is if their come from a white supremacist family. It they themselves have been taught that black people are inferior or lesser. But what it can do is teach empathy for those who are different from you. It simply is some people thinking they are superior to others and should have privilege. And it is needed because systemic racism in the country still exists. Don’t think so, look at large company corporate structures. Most management is white males, most workers are mixed, and white males get promoted faster. Look at congress, mostly white males despite them not being such a large majority in the population. Look at loan rates, higher in black neighborhoods, yet home sales prices lower than a white home comparable in a white neighborhood. The Steven Millers of the US feel that if any white straight cis male loses a job offer, promotion, or school placement for anyone else it is wrong and a crime. No matter if the other person was more qualified, mo matter the situation, in their minds whites straight cis males always come first. Hugs. Scottie
A new Alabama law banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programming and training in public colleges and other state agencies will go into effect this fall.
Gov. Kay Ivey signed SB129, known as the “divisive concepts” bill, into law Wednesday. The law will become effective Oct. 1, 2024.
“My Administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses – or wherever else for that matter – to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe,” Ivey said in a statement Wednesday.
“We have already taken action to prevent this in our K-12 classrooms, and I am pleased to sign SB129 to protect our college campuses. Supporting academic freedom, embracing diversity of cultures and backgrounds and treating people fairly are all key components of what we believe in Alabama, and I am more than confident that will continue.”
Alabama joins Florida and Texas in enacting the wide-ranging legislation, which asks for sweeping changes or cancellations to state agencies and public colleges that currently fund DEI offices and programming. It is not clear yet whether the law will force some state colleges, which support a combined $16 million in diversity spending, to lay off staff.
The law bans any program that “advocates for a divisive concept.” It also would prohibit higher education institutions from allowing individuals to use a restroom that is different from their sex as assigned at birth.
Passage of the Republican-backed legislation comes after lengthy debate in the House and Senate, multiple student protests and criticism from civil rights advocates and educators.
Ban supporters said the legislation would prevent “indoctrination” and “far-left ideology” in classrooms, and gave some examples of where they believed white students were made to feel uncomfortable on college campuses.
Opponents of the ban credited DEI programs for providing access and financial support, improving their campus experience, and in some cases, saving their lives. Others also worried that a ban would deter businesses and athletes from coming to the state.
“This unjust and inhumane bill ignores the will of the people and threatens years of progress toward racial and social justice and LGBTQ+ rights for generations to come,” said Jerome Dees, Alabama policy director for the SPLC Action Fund. “Students and workers value diversity, equity and inclusion in their schools and workplaces because it makes us all more safe.”
In a message to students and faculty Tuesday evening, University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John IV and presidents of the System’s three campuses said leadership and legal counsel are working to determine what actions the colleges will need to take to ensure their programs are in compliance with the law.
“It is important to note that SB 129 defines divisive concepts and DEI programs in specific terms, and it offers several exceptions for accreditation requirements, academic freedom, medical and mental health care, research, recruiting and outreach, and a host of other areas. Please look to official university communications for guidance as we continue to assess the legislation,” the statement read.
“We recognize differences strengthen our campuses and help us successfully prepare students to live and work in a global society. We remain committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds, providing open and equal access to resources and opportunities, and equipping all campus community members for success at our universities and beyond.”
What would the law do?
The law lists eight so-called “divisive concepts,” with most covering topics related to race, ethnicity, sex, religion and national origin.
Its sponsor, Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, said nothing in the legislation prevents the accurate teaching of history. Educators who knowingly “compel” students to believe certain banned ideas, however, could be terminated or disciplined at the discretion of college and school board leaders.
After debate on the Senate floor last month, the law will no longer prohibit college staff from discussing whether slavery and racism are aligned with the founding principles of the United States.
Democrats also added specific protections for women’s sports, the state Office of Minority Affairs, and changes to ensure “sex” was added to the list of protected classes in places where it was omitted.
Recent changes, which were approved on Tuesday, more clearly define the role of a contractor and protect those individuals from termination if they violate the law by accident. Another amendment ensures that nothing in the law would infringe on First Amendment rights of students or employees.
The law says it will not impede academic or medical research, federal reporting requirements or support services. It also does not prohibit housing or organizations that are segregated by sex, or affect “certain circumstances relating to accreditation.”
Students or staff may host a DEI program or event, it added, but must not use state money to fund it.
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