this legislative session, 12 anti-trans bills were introduced in virginia. 3 were intended to ban trans healthcare, 4 were forced-outing bills, and 5 would have banned trans people from sports. these are the same kinds of bills we've been watching pop up country-wide. but as of this morning (2/16/23) all 12 were defeated. it's obviously the bare minimum to ask for from a government, but it should still be celebrated. so many of us in virginia have been holding our breathes for weeks, and the relief we felt today was notable.
things feel grim right now, but there are still people out here fighting tooth and nail to keep our family safe, and we are loved, so there's your good news for the day
As a Virginian, there's a big reason for this: Democrats control the State Senate by a thin margin, 22-18. Even though there's a Republican Governor and House pushing this, Democrats kill these bills in committee in the Senate.
The House is only 52-48 Republican. Elections are always very close in Virginia.
This is important because Virginia has odd year elections. The entire State Senate and House are up for election this year.
Vote on November 7, 2023 to make sure these bills stay dead.
Register to vote!!
Please remember that in the US, you really do only have the choice of two political parties, even if third ones surface every now and then.
One of them is wildly imperfect and politically to the right of many tumblr folks, including myself.
The other is a far-right death cult.
Please don't let moral purity politics keep you from voting. Please understand, given our stupid, broken system, that a protest vote is effectively a vote for the far-right death cult.