Recent Updates: Hearing on ND trans youth healthcare ban, rally for the equal rights amendment, and more
January 22, 2024
At Gender Justice, we’ve had a busy start to the year while diving into some of the huge work ahead of us! Here are some highlights of what we’ve been up to in the fight for gender liberation and bodily autonomy.
Hearing on ND Trans Youth Healthcare Ban
Last Friday, a North Dakota District Court heard the testimonies of a transgender child, the father of a transgender child, their doctor, and a North Dakota psychiatrist who treats transgender youth in our lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s ban on best-practice medical care for transgender youth.
In emotional testimony, T.D. (age 12), a transgender boy, told of how scared, sad, and worried about his future he became when North Dakota legislators passed the health care ban. He said he, like many students, recites the Pledge of Allegiance at school every day, but questions whether it still applies to him.
“It says ‘liberty and justice for all,’ but I don’t feel like I’m getting that justice if I’m not able to get the things that non-transgender children can get,” said T.D.
Read more about the hearing and the moving testimony of other plaintiffs here.
Rally for the Equal Rights Amendment on Day One
One of the crucial fights of Minnesota’s upcoming legislative session will be for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) being added to the state constitution:
“Equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied by this state or any of its cities, counties, or other political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin.”
This amendment to Minnesota’s state constitution would be a major stride forward in the fight for gender equity, bodily autonomy, and trans rights. First, a bill introducing the amendment must pass through the state legislature, then be ratified by a majority of voters in a statewide election.
Together, we can make it happen, so let’s kick off this push by showing widespread support through our collective voice and power! Save the date for a rally in the MN Capitol Rotunda on February 12!
RSVP here, and read more about the ERA here!
Attorney of the Year Winners: Third Consecutive Year!
Gender Justice’s Christy Hall, Senior Staff Attorney, and Jess Braverman, Legal Director, were recognized as attorneys of the year for 2023! This is the third consecutive year that Gender Justice’s legal work has won this recognition.
Read the full list from Minnesota Lawyer here!
Learning From the Green Wave – The Gender Justice Brief
In this episode of the Gender Justice Brief, Megan Peterson, Executive Director of Gender Justice, visiting in Washington, D.C., interviews Paula Ávila-Guillén, Executive Director of the Women’s Equality Center.
They discuss the Green Wave movement, focusing on abortion rights in Latin America. Paula details the movement’s origins, its significant societal and legal impacts, and its stamps on global abortion rights advocacy. Megan and Paula also talk about the recent changes in abortion law in the United States, how these developments compare to progress made in Latin America, and the challenges they still face.
Worthington School Board Removes Pride & Puerto Rican Flags From Classroom
At Worthington High School, a majority Latino high school, a classroom will have its LGBTQ and Puerto Rican flags removed as the result of a vote from the all-white school board, following a complaint about the pride flag from a parent.
“I felt stripped of my own identities,” said the teacher, José Morales Collazo, recalling when he first heard about the parent’s complaint.
OutFront Minnesota issued a response to this decision that you can read here. Additionally, you can read the full story here.