FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 5th, 2023

Statement from Equality Illinois on Indiana's Anti-Trans Healthcare Ban

Statement from Equality Illinois Director of Communications Myles Brady Davis following the Indiana governor’s approval on Wednesday of legislation targeting trans young people and their families:

“Illinois is a pro-equality, pro-family island in a sea of states that are actively striving to harm trans people and their families. Earlier today, Indiana joined Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, and nine other states in adopting a cruel law to strip access to life-saving healthcare from trans young people. Additionally, officials in Missouri and Wisconsin are considering bans on gender-affirming care.

Trans young people – like all young people – deserve access to clinically appropriate healthcare. Ensuring trans young people can access the care they need is a critical part of helping them succeed in school; create positive relationships with family, friends, and their communities; and develop into healthy adults. Politicians should focus on real issues – such as public safety, inflation, and building an economy that works for everyone – rather than legislatively bullying trans young people and interfering in relationships between patients and healthcare providers.

In Illinois, we are proud to support and affirm trans people and their families. Earlier this year, Illinois adopted legal protections for families and healthcare providers who come to Illinois for gender-affirming care as well as modernized the state’s name change and birth certificate laws to better support trans and gender-diverse people. Thanks to the leadership of LGBTQ+ Illinoisans, partner organizations like Planned Parenthood, Governor Pritzker, President Harmon, Speaker Welch, and legislative champions, we have done so much. But there is more we can and must do. Led by our bold, beautiful LGBTQ+ communities across the state and in partnership with our pro-equality elected officials, Illinois will keep moving forward and continue to be a state that welcomes and affirms all people seeking support and refuge.”

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