Biden Administration Plans Action Against Anti-Trans Bills

Following a direct shout-out to trans youth from the President last week, the Biden administration is reportedly looking to take action against the plethora of anti-transgender legislation making its way through the country, though exactly how this will take place remains to be seen.

Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David told The Daily Beast the organization is “having conversations” with the White House about next steps in fighting against the many anti-trans bills introduced across the United States this year. David did not elaborate on the specifics of what this could look like, but he said he believes the administration will take direct, public action against the continued legislation.

This conversation follows Biden’s message to trans youth during a joint session of Congress last week. Biden said, “To all transgender Americans watching at home—especially young people, who are so brave—I want you to know your president has your back.”

While many praised Biden for the message, others called for more direct action. Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, said in a tweet, “I guess I appreciate the platitudes. But we need action. Things are desperate.”

As of May 4, 253 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced introduced in the current legislative session, and 124 of those are anti-trans. Many people are looking into moving states to ensure their families are safe. A recent GLAAD survey focused on the first 100 days of the Biden presidency showed 77 percent of LGBTQ Americans say the bills make them feel “unsafe in their own community.”

David told The Daily Beast, “… We want to make sure we don’t lose sight of how important those words are, and how important his early actions have been to support and protect LGBTQ people throughout the country.”

The Department of the Justice also separately told The Daily Beast it will “fully enforce our civil rights statutes to protect transgender individuals,” which has given hope to opponents that the DOJ is preparing the challenge the legality of these bills in court.

Photo courtesy of DoD and Lisa Ferdinando.