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Good Political News? Here Are Two Things That Occurred Recently
We can feel inundated with hour after hour, day after day of seemingly endless news that only serves to crush our spirits as the endless attacks and roll-backs of queer advancement over the last couple decades pushes ever onward. So it's always refreshing to learn that not all the news is completely terrible. When those rays of sunshine beam down on us, we have to soak them in and remember that the worst headlines aren't the only headlines. Here are two recent news stories to help us realise there are still some decent folks out there.
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As reported by The Advocate, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that a Republican-controlled Legislature committee "unlawfully blocked rules prohibiting so-called 'conversion therapy' by licensed professionals," which clears a definitive pass for a full ban on this much-denounced practice.
The 4-3 decision in Evers vs. Marklein makes the statement that the committee's 2023 ruling forbidding Democratic Governor Tony Evers from enforcing his administration's rules was outside its authority. Those rules state that conversion therapy is unprofessional conduct for licensed therapists, social workers, and counselors. The ruling immediately reinstates the ban, though it does exempt religious institutions and "individuals who are exempt from licensure."
“'This decision is a powerful step in the right direction towards ending the harmful practice of conversion therapy—a step that required incredible advocacy for over seven years by our community members and partner organizations like NASW-Wisconsin,' said Abigail Swetz, executive director of Fair Wisconsin, the state’s only statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights group. 'We also still have more work to do. A bill banning conversion therapy by all licensed professions passed through the legislature and signed by the governor would be an even more powerful step. Wisconsin State Senate Bill 324 would do exactly that, and I look forward to seeing it become Wisconsin law.'” (The Advocate)
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Democratic North Carolina Governor Josh Stein last week vetoed three anti-DEI bills and an anti-trans bill that targets gender affirming care for prisoners. Also stricken with his veto are provisions affecting how trans persons can update their birth certificates, and parents allowing their children to opt out of school lessons that might "impose a substantial burden on the student’s religious beliefs" by participating in lessons that include LGBTQ+-related material or themes.
As reported by The Advocate, "Senate Bill 227 would have eliminated DEI programs in public K-12 schools. Senate Bill 558 would have banned the teaching of certain concepts related to DEI in public higher education, such as the North Carolina university system. House Bill 171 would have ended DEI in state and local governments."
Additionally, House Bill 805 would have banned gender affirming surgeries and care for inmates. This bill also included provisions claiming there are only two genders, male and female, as well as those stated above.
“These mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education. Therefore, I am vetoing them. I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians’ pressing concerns.”
The Republicans in the legislature could override his veto, as they are one vote short in the House of a veto-proof majority.
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