A group of organizations devoted to attending to the medical, educational and developmental needs of children released an open letter today calling on state legislatures around the country to halt the flood of discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being advanced. The 22 groups, which collectively represent more than 7 million youth-serving professionals and hundreds of child welfare organizations, called on lawmakers to reconsider moving forward with policies that will endanger vulnerable, marginalized populations.

“It’s so important that these child health and welfare organizations are stepping up and making their voices heard on the importance of protecting LGBTQ+ children,” said Joni Madison, HRC Interim President. “When lawmakers pass bills that take away opportunities from children and allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth, they fail to take into account the very real people who will suffer the impact of these decisions. This letter is a clear message that the professionals most dedicated to caring for the wellbeing of our children are united in opposing discriminatory bills. Lawmakers around the country should listen to these professionals, not to mention LGBTQ+ children and their parents, instead of paying heed to self-serving political rhetoric that serves no discernible constituency.”

The signers note: “As organizations committed to serving the best interests of all youth, we are deeply alarmed at the torrent of bills introduced in state legislatures around the country this year that would directly harm LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender youth. These appalling proposals would compromise the safety and well-­being of the young people we all have the duty and obligation to support and protect. All of our nation’s children deserve equal protection and treatment when accessing health care, and when attending school. These anti-LGBTQ+ bills promote discrimination and do harm to students, their families, and their communities.

“Since state legislatures began meeting this year, we have already seen more than 90 bills introduced seeking to deny transgender youths access to gender-affirming medical treatment, preventing them from participating in sports teams consistent with their gender identity and denying access to sex-segregated spaces that include restrooms and locker rooms. In addition, we are deeply concerned by an increase in bills aimed at censoring the inclusion of LGBTQ+ related content in school curriculum. All students need to see their identities and experiences reflected in books and lessons, and anti-bullying programs must explicitly address anti-LGBTQ bias along with other bias-based bullying. The erasure of LGBTQ+ people from classroom discussions deprives all students of an inclusive and diverse education.

“The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, is alarmed by the spate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation proposed across the country. Their research found that less than a quarter of transgender and gender-expansive youth can be themselves at school and only sixteen percent of transgender and gender-expansive youth feel safe at school. These coordinated attacks by lawmakers are blatantly designed to deny and invalidate their existence. their communities. Every child deserves equal access to education, academic success, and a future in which they are empowered to fulfill their true potential, and these laws contravene that fundamental principle, which has long guided our nation’s education policy.

“LGBTQ+ youth are already at a heightened risk for violence, bullying, and harassment. In addition, students who would be affected by these bills are among our most vulnerable to experiencing depression and engaging in self-harm, including suicide. These bills exacerbate those risks by creating an unwelcoming and hostile environment in places where students should feel the safest and most supported. Research has shown that when transgender youth have access to gender-affirming services, competent care and affirmation, their risk of depression, anxiety and other negative mental health outcomes is greatly reduced.

“We stand in opposition to proposals that harm LGBTQ+ youth, including limiting access to medically-necessary, best practice care, forbidding students from using the restroom at school consistent with their gender identity, and preventing transgender youth from playing sports alongside their peers. On behalf of our members and communities, we call on legislators across the country to reject these harmful measures.

“Sincerely,

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

American Association of School Librarians

American Counseling Association

American Federation of Teachers

American Psychological Association

American Public Health Association

American School Counselor Association

American School Health Association

BOOST Collaborative

The Council of Administrators of Special Education

Child Welfare League of America

Mental Health America

National Association for College Admission Counseling

National Association of School Nurses

National Association of Secondary School Principals

National Association of Social Workers

National Education Association

National Parent Teacher Association

Society of Pediatric Nurses

The School Social Work Association of America