LGBTQ Community and Allies Debunk Transgender Care Misconceptions

Alabama Transgender Community Fearful of Negative Impact of Pending Bills

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in Alabama is expressing concerns about several bills that are currently making their way through the state legislature. While no law has been enacted yet, there are already worries about the adverse impact on their livelihoods and mental well-being under the proposed bills that are reinforcing misconceptions about these groups.

Beck Boggs, a non-binary, androgynous lesbian is among those who are skeptical about the bills. Boggs said, “I love my state; I wish my state loved me back.” As a psychologist who works with the LGBTQ community, Sarah Mulder confirms that Boggs’ concerns are widespread among her clients, who feel excluded, powerless, and angry about the potential effects of these bills.

The pending House Bill 401 is one of the proposed bills that has singled out gender-affirming care as a problematic aspect of the LGBTQ community. If passed, this legislation prohibits drag performance in public places, which the bill’s proponents regard as “obscene.” Boggs raised concerns about the vague definition of terms used in the bill, highlighting the potential impact of the proposed law on performers and entertainers who may be wrongly accused of violating the legislation.

Similarly, gender-affirming care is another target of proposed bills that may adversely affect the LGBTQ community. Mulder commented that the misconception surrounding gender-affirming care is that it is easily accessible, and young children receive it as a standard treatment practice. This claim is far from the truth, according to Mulder. Gender-affirming care involves various procedures, medical, surgical, and non-medical treatments, which individuals wishing to transition must undergo with thorough evaluation from experts in the area. Furthermore, no surgeon performs gender-affirming surgery on minors, and the age for such surgery is typically 18 or 19, making it unlikely that a transgender minor could undergo gender-affirming surgery even with parental consent.

Mulder and Boggs highlighted that the LGBTQ community in Alabama wishes to live and be treated like everyone else, with access to essential services and rights. Like other citizens, they aspire to raise families, go to school, and pursue their ambitions. Unfortunately, the proposed bills create the fear of social exclusion, anxiety, and a sense of powerlessness, further undermining the mental well-being of an already marginalized community.

In conclusion, existing misconceptions about the LGBTQ community have proliferated in Alabama, despite their efforts to contribute positively to society and live normal lives. Laws that target this community, such as drag performance laws and limiting access to gender-affirming care, only add to their challenges, disregarding their contribution to society and undermining their freedom to be themselves.