GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to Governor Doug Ducey’s signing of two discriminatory laws in Arizona, banning transgender youth access to school sports and banning transgender youth access to lifesaving medical care. Ducey announced via Twitter that he had signed both SB 1138 and SB 1165 early Wednesday afternoon.
Statement from GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis:
"These two discriminatory and unecessary laws put already vulnerable youth in more danger, and threaten the health and safety of all children in Arizona. Gov. Ducey and lawmakers who passed these bills did so against the advice of experts in medicine, sports, education and child development, and put their state at economic risk. Republican lawmakers have called such bills ‘vast government overreach’ blocking a child from healthcare that could save their lives and from healthy activities that every child should be able to enjoy. These laws hurt all children and Arizona’s future as a place to grow and succeed.”
Joint Statement from Equality Arizona and ONE Community (excerpt):
Both these bills are solutions looking for a problem. Like other leaders around the country, the Governor has forgotten that he has a duty to govern for all Arizonans. These draconian laws will harm transgender children, adults, and their families. These draconian laws will harm the reputation of Arizona - we cannot be a state where everyone is welcome and valued if our elected leaders allow discrimination to be the law of the land. You can't be pro-business and pro-discrimination. [The full statement can be read here].
