As our nation grows and changes with time, its legislation does as well.  However, it’s not always for the best.  In the past few years, the number of bills being passed in various states affecting LGBTQ youth has skyrocketed.  Many of these bills are not only harmful to LGBTQ visibility but possibly life-threatening.  

It seems that every time I look at the news, there is some new legislation being introduced that would directly affect the LGBTQ community.  Whether it’s targeting drag shows or trying to ban gender-affirming health care for minors, this community can never catch a break. I believe that much of this new legislation is directly harmful to queer youth and we should be implementing laws that lift them up, not push them further down.

In New Hampshire, a bill known as House bill 10 was introduced in December 2022 according to the N.H. State Legislation page.  Disguised as a parental rights bill, this legislation would force schools to out transgender kids to their parents.  The bill was voted on by the NH House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 22 but failed by just 4 votes.  Despite the bill failing to pass, it was decided to be tabled.

In cases like this, many may say that since the bill didn’t pass and it doesn’t matter anymore, but I would disagree.  Seeing a bill that would force students to be outed come so close to being passed, even having it introduced in the first place, can cause stress to LGBTQ youth.  

Having your identity constantly debated often results in LGBTQ students having higher rates of mental illness.  According to the Trevor Project, a national survey done in 2022 showed that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth.  No student should ever find themselves in a situation where their personal information is being shared without their consent, especially if that information puts them in possible danger.

New Hampshire is not the only state seeing bills like the parental rights bill being introduced. According to NPR, Tennessee passed a bill banning drag shows in public spaces along with gender-affirming health care for minors in early March.  

As gender-affirming health care is banned, I believe that suicide rates in trans youth will only increase.  According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQ people who live in supportive communities have significantly lower rates of attempted suicide. Along with this, the erasure of drag shows and the banning of books on LGBTQ topics will lead to LGBTQ kids feeling less seen and more alone.  Tennessee and New Hampshire are joined by states such as Florida, Nebraska, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas that are implementing anti-LGBTQ bills.

Although the increase in bills such as House Bill 10 may fill LGBTQ students reading the news with fear, it’s important to remember you’re not alone.  Many organizations have gathered to fight these bills and force change from our elected officials.  If you are ever in need of support, the Trevor Project offers resources on its website such as numbers to text and call.  Seacoast Outright is a local LGBTQ support group who have a variety of support services for LGBTQ youth.  

We are only successful when we lift others up and support those who society so often shoves down.  Advocating for and supporting LGBTQ people is an important step toward a change where we can allow everyone to be themselves.

Works Cited

LGBTQ+ Support | Seacoast Outright – New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, https://www.seacoastoutright.org/. Accessed 29 March 2023.

Bacallao, Marianna. “Tennessee makes drag and trans health care bans law.” NPR, 2 March 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/03/02/1160784530/tennessee-ban-public-drag-shows-transgender-health-care-youth. Accessed 29 March 2023.

“Facts About LGBTQ Youth Suicide.” The Trevor Project, 15 December 2021, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/. Accessed 29 March 2023.

“NH HB10 | 2023 | Regular Session.” LegiScan, 23 December 2022, https://legiscan.com/NH/bill/HB10/2023. Accessed 29 March 2023.