Latest news with #EqualityMichigan
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bills spark debate over trans athletes in women's sports
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – A Thursday meeting at the Michigan Capitol is sparking heated discussion over two new bills that would ban biological males from women's sports. The House Government Operations Committee held a hearing on them Thursday morning. The bills up for discussion are House Bills and . Supporters say the goal of the legislation is to protect the safety and well-being of young girls. 'This is not about putting anyone down. This is about lifting up our young girls who have dreams,' said State Representative Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile). '[It's about] making sure they have a level playing field, that they're not robbed of scholarship opportunities, a spot on the team, or worse, seriously injured.' However, others believe it would lead to dangerous discrimination against transgender students. 'We should want more young people to play sports in our state, not put up more barriers for all girls like invasive inspections and ridicule about what gender they are because their hair is too short, they're too tall, their shoulders are too broad, or because they have a good serve,' said Emme Zanotti, Senior Director of Movement Building & Political Affairs with Equality Michigan. HB 4066 would require single-sex sports teams, while HB 4469 would allow schools to determine a child's eligibility in athletics based on the biological sex listed on their birth certificate. 'Together, these bills would cause a host of issues,' said Kyle Zawacki, Legislative Director with ACLU of Michigan. 'They would violate equal protection principles, require an invasion of medical privacy, undermine civil rights protections, and suppress both speech and advocacy'. The Michigan High School Athletics Association currently allows two biological males to compete in female sports. Supporters say this should not be allowed. Payton McNabb, a former high school athlete, shared her experience playing volleyball against a biological male and getting hit by a spiked ball. 'I'm still suffering a little over two years later,' said McNabb. 'I got hit directly in the face and got knocked unconscious…They explained I had a concussion, permanent whiplash, and a small brain bleed.' Opponents say the legislation could lead to invasions of medical privacy and affect the mental and emotional well-being of transgender students. 'Transgender youth, like all young people, deserve the opportunity to thrive both in the classroom and in school-sponsored activities and athletics,' said Alexandra Stamm, Education Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy. 'Athletic participation is also linked to improved mental health and positive perceptions of school climate. This is especially important for our transgender youth who support higher rates of bullying as well as increased symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to their peers'. Supporters of the bills say they will ensure safety and fairness in girls' sports, while others believe they will cause lasting adverse effects for transgender youth. The bills have been referred to a second hearing before moving to the House floor for a vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds rally at Michigan Capitol for Transgender Day of Visibility
Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Organizers of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally in Lansing say the event was a 'living testament to trans joy, trans resistance and trans community.' Hundreds gathered on the lawn of the Capitol for around two hours Sunday for a rally featuring speakers, dance breaks and performances by local drag queens. Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated internationally every year on March 31 after Michigan resident Rachel Crandall-Crocker founded the holiday in 2009 to create a day focused on the happiness of the transgender and nonbinary communities. Emme Zanotti, senior director of movement building and political affairs for Equality Michigan, said during the rally that 'Trans Day of Visibility certifies that we are here and solidifies that we are to be seen as living, breathing human beings' rather than 'just accepting that who we are as human beings is to be hidden, cast aside or kept a deep, dark secret.' While Trans Unity Coalition founder Bree Taylor said the current political climate is challenging, and transgender people have a right to feel hurt, she said it is important to 'find moments of celebration in the midst of adversity and to keep showing up with that joy.' 'When we decide to exist proudly in the public eye, we disrupt every storyline that says we can only be ashamed of ourselves or invisible,' Taylor said. Audra Wilson, who represents the transgender community on Michigan's LGBTQ+ Commission, said events like the rally provide a safe space for people to find a sense of belonging with other members of the community and allies. 'This is somewhere where, even though we're out in public, people get to be themselves. People get to feel safe. People get to be seen and be visible,' Wilson said. But creating a sense of community is just as important for people who may not be as comfortable sharing their identity publicly, Crossroads founder Grace Bacon said, encouraging the crowd to host small gatherings and be intentional about forming friendships. 'We have to ferret out the people who are scared to come out, give them a place to be, a time to be, so that they can be themselves for a little while,' Bacon said. Roz Keith, the founder of Stand with Trans, said that her goal when her son came out as transgender was to ensure that he felt supported and safe in his identity. 'What I learned through this journey is that being transgender is not about changing who you are, it's about becoming who you have always been,' Keith said. Taylor compared people's gender identities to their religion. 'It's something that can't be casually changed because someone else disapproves,' Taylor said. 'It is foundational to who we are, just like any belief that forms the very core of our own existence.' But while Zanotti said celebrating trans joy has been meaningful, she added that it's just the first step towards true acceptance. 'If these next generations are simply visible, it will not be enough,' Zanotti said. 'It will now be our mission and our responsibility to make sure that transgender people are not just seen, but to make sure we are heard, and to make damn sure that we are understood.' Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025, hold up their cell phone flashlights to honor transgender individuals who lost their lives. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Rev. Ella Silverstar speaks during a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Moxie attends a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Michigan LGBTQ+ Commission member Audra Wilson speaks during a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Local drag artists performed during a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Drag queen Sapphire Shade performs during a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Gender-identity Network Alliance executive director Michelle Fox-Phillips attends a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Attendees of a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Drag queen Sapphire Shade performs during a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Cindy Jerome attends a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Drag queen Sapphire Shade performs during a Transgender Day of Visibility rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
8 Democrats join GOP in voting to urge MHSAA to ban transgender kids from girls' sports
The Michigan House of Representatives passed a resolution Wednesday strongly urging the Michigan High School Athletic Association to ban transgender girls from girls' sports. Sixty-six representatives voted for it, including eight Democrats. Forty-three representatives voted against it. The resolution, which does not carry the weight of law, called on the MHSAA to adhere to President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in school sports for women and girls. "Allowing biological males to compete in women's sports in defiance of a federal executive order could put female athletes in Michigan at risk for injury, threatens the safety and fairness of competitions and undermines the intent of Title IX," the resolution read. The MHSAA evaluates requests by trans athletes on an individual basis. For fall of 2024, two transgender girls participated in high school sports for girls. According to Equality Michigan, an advocacy group for the state's LGBTQ+ community, no trans athletes are signed up to play winter sports or sports for the upcoming spring season. 'We all want sports to be fair and student athletes to be safe," Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan said in a prepared statement released after the resolution's passsage. "That's why the MHSAA already has rules about who can participate in different sports at different levels across a range of issues. They already have a process in place and are experts when it comes to sports in schools. They don't need politicians in Lansing to override their expertise with a one-size-fits-all blanket ban." More: Legal experts say judge's ruling falls short of ordering stalled bills to be presented More: Michigan road funding efforts have stalled before. Can new plans break the traffic jam? It is unclear if Trump's executive order conflicts with Michigan's anti-discrimination Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. Speaking to the Legislature, Jaime Greene, R- Richmond, the resolution's sponsor said: "We should acknowledge that while we are all equal in dignity and rights we are also biologically distinct in ways that are both beautiful and scientifically undeniable. Acknowledging these differences is vital to the fairness and safety of the sports that we hold dear. So the legacy of our grandmothers and mothers who fought tirelessly for our right to stand run and compete as equals on the sports field, that must not be forgotten. They laid that groundwork for a world where a girl's strength is celebrated. It is our duty to protect this legacy for future generations of women athletes." Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing, spoke against the resolution: "I want you to think about what it means to be a kid. Figuring out who you are trying to find a place to belong. Learning confidence through the support of your peers and mentors. ... Now imagine, instead being told by adults, by your own government that you are the problem. That playing sports making friends and being yourself is wrong. That the community meant to support you is, instead, is determined to erase you. "I know what it is to be a queer kid and it is lonely. I know what it is to be our nonbinary legislator and it is isolating and dehumanizing. This resolution isn't about fairness. It isn't about protecting women's sports. This isn't about safety because there is no threat. There is no threat." A copy of the resolution will be sent to Trump. The Democrats who supported the resolution are: Rep. Albas Farhat, D-Dearborn Rep. Peter Herzberg, D-Westland Rep. Tullio Liberati, D-Allen Park Rep. Denise Mentzer, D-Mt. Clemens Rep. Reggie Miller, D-Van Buren Twp. Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon Rep. Angela Witwer, D-Delta Twp. Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan House urges ban on transgender kids from girl's sports
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
8 Democrats join GOP in voting to urge MHSAA to ban transgender kids from girls' sports
The Michigan House of Representatives passed a resolution Wednesday strongly urging the Michigan High School Athletic Association to ban transgender girls from girls' sports. Sixty-six representatives voted for it, including eight Democrats. Forty-three representatives voted against it. The resolution, which does not carry the weight of law, called on the MHSAA to adhere to President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in school sports for women and girls. "Allowing biological males to compete in women's sports in defiance of a federal executive order could put female athletes in Michigan at risk for injury, threatens the safety and fairness of competitions and undermines the intent of Title IX," the resolution read. The MHSAA evaluates requests by trans athletes on an individual basis. For fall of 2024, two transgender girls participated in high school sports for girls. According to Equality Michigan, an advocacy group for the state's LGBTQ+ community, no trans athletes are signed up to play winter sports or sports for the upcoming spring season. 'We all want sports to be fair and student athletes to be safe," Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan said in a prepared statement released after the resolution's passsage. "That's why the MHSAA already has rules about who can participate in different sports at different levels across a range of issues. They already have a process in place and are experts when it comes to sports in schools. They don't need politicians in Lansing to override their expertise with a one-size-fits-all blanket ban." More: Legal experts say judge's ruling falls short of ordering stalled bills to be presented More: Michigan road funding efforts have stalled before. Can new plans break the traffic jam? It is unclear if Trump's executive order conflicts with Michigan's anti-discrimination Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. Speaking to the Legislature, Jaime Greene, R- Richmond, the resolution's sponsor said: "We should acknowledge that while we are all equal in dignity and rights we are also biologically distinct in ways that are both beautiful and scientifically undeniable. Acknowledging these differences is vital to the fairness and safety of the sports that we hold dear. So the legacy of our grandmothers and mothers who fought tirelessly for our right to stand run and compete as equals on the sports field, that must not be forgotten. They laid that groundwork for a world where a girl's strength is celebrated. It is our duty to protect this legacy for future generations of women athletes." Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing, spoke against the resolution: "I want you to think about what it means to be a kid. Figuring out who you are trying to find a place to belong. Learning confidence through the support of your peers and mentors. ... Now imagine, instead being told by adults, by your own government that you are the problem. That playing sports making friends and being yourself is wrong. That the community meant to support you is, instead, is determined to erase you. "I know what it is to be a queer kid and it is lonely. I know what it is to be our nonbinary legislator and it is isolating and dehumanizing. This resolution isn't about fairness. It isn't about protecting women's sports. This isn't about safety because there is no threat. There is no threat." A copy of the resolution will be sent to Trump. The Democrats who supported the resolution are: Rep. Albas Farhat, D-Dearborn Rep. Peter Herzberg, D-Westland Rep. Tullio Liberati, D-Allen Park Rep. Denise Mentzer, D-Mt. Clemens Rep. Reggie Miller, D-Van Buren Twp. Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon Rep. Angela Witwer, D-Delta Twp. Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan House urges ban on transgender kids from girl's sports
Axios
11-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Politics hamper young LGBTQ+ Michiganders' mental health
Despite some recent strides in LGBTQ+ acceptance in Michigan, mistreatment and stigma are still contributing to high anxiety and depression among young people, a new report finds. Why it matters: An estimated 6% of adult Michiganders identify as LGBTQ+, with higher counts for younger folks — 16% of those 18-24. Plus, the overall amount of queer and trans Americans who publicly identify themselves continues to rise. State of play: More than a third of young LGBTQ+ Michiganders seriously considered suicide in the last year. The figure is higher for transgender and nonbinary youth — 42%. That's according to new research from crisis intervention organization The Trevor Project, which surveyed more than 600 Michiganders ages 13-24 in fall 2023. By the numbers: Of Michigan's LGBTQ+ youth, 68% reported anxiety and 52% depression in the last year. More than 20% reported being physically harmed or threatened based on their identity. Nearly all of them said politics hurt their well-being a lot or sometimes. Nearly half of those who wanted mental health care didn't receive it, due to issues like fear and lack of affordability. Context: These mental health outcomes are "not innate to who LGBTQ+ people are," Ronita Nath, The Trevor Project's vice president of research, tells Axios. "Rather, they are ... because of the stigma and discrimination they experience in society, and research bears that out again and again." What they're saying: "There's a direct correlation of deadly consequences, particularly when you talk about trans youth," Equality Michigan executive director Erin Knott tells Axios, referencing President Trump's anti-trans actions. Zoom out: Trump made attacks on transgender people a focus of his 2024 campaign. In his first few weeks in office, Trump rolled out a flurry of executive orders radically reshaping trans people's rights in the U.S. Some Democrats are also publicly second-guessing the party's stances on transgender rights. Zoom in: Michigan passed a bill to protect LGBTQ+ people under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act in 2023 and elected its first out LGBTQ+ statewide officeholder, Attorney General Dana Nessel, in 2018. Yes, but: Michigan Republicans recently spoke out about no longer allowing transgender girls on girls sports teams. Lawmakers also sought to create penalties for parents who obtain gender-affirming care for their children. What's next: A state House Republican introduced a resolution calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality. At the same time, some Democrats are seeking to revoke Michigan's same-sex marriage ban to uphold marriage equality if it was removed at the federal level.
