People who are transgender exist and deserve to be treated with dignity. They shouldn’t be legislated away.
However, in the Kansas Statehouse, there’s been an awful lot of hand wringing, pearl clutching, teeth gritting, arguing and, frankly, wasted time trying to do so.
For the past two legislative sessions a bill that would ban transgender athletes in women’s sports has been sent to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk and then promptly vetoed.
Derek Schmidt used the topic as a campaign issue when he sought to be governor during the last election cycle — and Kansans told him what they thought at the ballot box.
Did you know the Kansas State High School Activities Association reported only two transgender youths in after-school activities this year?
Not content to stop there, the Legislature is considering a set of bills that will restrict the rights of transgender individuals.
The Topeka Capital-Journal’s Andrew Bahl reports lawmakers are considering a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which includes the procedures and therapies transgender individuals say is vital to improving their health and wellbeing.
Last month, we discussed the ethical dilemmas that such legislation might cause health care providers and their patients. We still believe legislators should leave regulating health care to health professionals.
Additionally, a bill that places limits on local nondiscrimination ordinances and a so-called “women’s bill of rights” that restricts state agencies from recognizing a person as anything other than their biological gender are up for consideration.
Perhaps that time could be better spent discussing real issues affecting education and health care?
Our leaders should be discussing health care reform. How can we make it affordable and accessible for all Kansans?
If they want to talk about schools, let’s chat about making sure they’re funded adequately.
What we don’t want to do is debate where a person belongs in society. It’s counterproductive, deeply cynical and demonstrates a profound lack of empathy for others.
Transgender Kansans are our friends, neighbors, children and grandchildren. They are not a monolith. They are living, breathing people with wants and needs, hopes and dreams. We can’t lose sight of that. These Kansans deserve better from us and our leaders.
Regulating their existence won’t make Kansas a better place. It will make it a more complicated environment for people to survive in, let alone thrive.
