On Saturday, a new law in Kansas will enforce uncertainty about how the service news of Conlon Rose reports. It is expected to bring a host of changes to the state, as it is the first to define female and male characteristics according to biological factors. The new law puts broad restrictions on transgender residents, which has an effect on the state’s transgender population.
ROSE CONLON, BYLINE: Thea Howard was worried that disclosing her transgender status would put her long-held position at risk.
My fear was that I would be terminated, so I decided to come out, save up some money, and search for a new job. This way, I could afford to wait until this year. My strategic plan involved THEA HOWARD.
The new law has raised concerns for transgender individuals in Kansas, including Howard. However, they were supportive. She, who is a member of the board of a nonprofit organization in El Dorado, Kansas, ended up telling the other members about it after it became unbearable to keep hiding.
I know a couple of friends who are seriously considering moving out of Kansas if they haven’t already, because their kids cry and break down out of fear.
State Rep Brenda Landwehr, along with other conservative lawmakers, had her vetoed legislation overridden by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly. The law restricts the use of locker rooms and bathrooms to people assigned a sex at birth, according to the legal definition of male and female. This legislation could limit the wide range of facilities used by transgender individuals.
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Would my 4-year-old granddaughter have to be exposed to a male and enter a bathroom, is that correct? This idea is proposed by Brenda Landwehr.
Legal aid sessions were conducted throughout the state, and in the weeks following its approval, numerous individuals attended. Critics argue that it is a direct assault on transgender individuals, whereas advocates refer to the legislation as a bill of rights for women. CONLON:
UNIDENTIFIED INDIVIDUAL: Whoever is prepared for their notary, you can form a queue here.
Ellen Bertels, an attorney with Kansas Legal Services, states that having an incorrect ID can make it more difficult to use a credit card or board a plane. State officials discontinued the practice of allowing people to rush updates to their gender on birth certificates and driver’s licenses. Conlon.
It has a huge impact on someone’s life. This little thing on this piece of paper seems just like a tiny thing, because it is.
In 2019, it was stated by a federal judge that Kansas is required to allow changes to identification documents. Presently, Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach is attempting to reverse that order. Furthermore, this week, he unexpectedly requested officials to undo all modifications that have already been implemented.
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KRIS KOBACH: The legislature decided to make our laws align with biological reality rather than an individual’s chosen representation of their identity.
Micah Kubic serves as the executive director of the ACLU in Kansas. Failing to comply with the law or establishing any enforcement actions does not constitute a crime. Supporters argue that maintaining women-only spaces for transgender women upholds the law. It is essential for officials to comply with the law, even if it is unclear. CONLON:
I think to some extent that the lack of clarity may have been intentional in sending the signal of harassment and fear that many sponsors still wanted: KUBIC MICAH.
Medical issues arise from this, which in turn leads to further medical complications. According to Amanda Mogoi, a nurse practitioner in Wichita, many transgender individuals already refrain from using public restrooms. If they are compelled to use facilities that do not align with their expressed gender, they may face heightened vulnerability and increased fear. Consequently, this has resulted in increased perplexity among businesses and local authorities.
It’s truly perilous. The truth is, we know that there is a higher tendency to develop kidney or bladder infections when holding their urine, leading to urinary tract infections.
They are contemplating stopping their transition, according to CONLON, while some individuals, she claims, are extremely afraid of the intimidation that the legislation might impose, resulting in several of her transgender patients making arrangements to depart the state.