Abi, member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group has put together a very powerful article on one of the biggest issues that is facing the US during the second Trump Presidency.
Branded with the promise of “Making America Great Again”, impeached, wealthy, Donald J. Trump was re-elected for another term.
The start of his term has already brought in civil disputes and a rise of authoritarianism, alongside other inhumane and absolutely unthinkable policy ideas, there is one in particular that has shocked and disgusted me.
Republicans at the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill that would allow health care providers to “visually or physically examine a minor child” for the purpose of identifying their “biological sex” without the “consent of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.” Insanity.
Although this still has to be passed by the Senate, I’m still baffled that anyone in any position of power could even consider this kind of thing, let alone vote to pass such an abusive policy. This March I participated in the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women event as a delegate, and heard how passionate so many people are of upholding our very fragile legal rights. The absolute dichotomy of the consideration of this bill and a month where we globally celebrate women sits between a joke and a nightmare in my mind, so with that, I have three things to ask about this:
- So, what IS this policy? Well, it’s a policy designed as part of a system to deny Trans human rights whilst upholding supposed Christian values and ideology through the law.These anti trans legislation is being pushed as a “way to protect women and children from sexual abuse”, whilst the number one perpetrator of sexual assault in America are white men over 30 according to RAINN and the National Sexual Violence Centre. Arguments against trans people in sport are seen as a valid reason to squash trans rights, yet cis women like Imane Khelif and Serena Williams receive transphobic abuse, so are we actually protecting women by being transphobic, or just giving white men with unparalleled power the decision to decide who a woman is when he wants?
- If passed by the Senate, does this new proposed policy practically legalise sexual assault/abuse? In West Virginia, third degree sexual assault is defined as “the person, being 16 years old or more, engages in sexual intercourse or sexual intrusion with another person who is less than 16 years old and who is at least four years younger than the defendant” by §61-8B-5, BUT you can “visually or physically examine a minor child” for the purpose of identifying their “biological sex” without the “consent of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.” I believe that this is a blatant loophole in the law defining sexual assault, as you could decide to check a child’s genitals because of trans suspicions as long as you’re a healthcare provider. Transphobia is everyone’s
- We have no say in American policy, so there is little that we can do to change that, but how could this impact the rest of the world? Being such a global power, the influence that America has on the rest of the world cannot be overstated. It’s up to all of us to be aware of a rise in authoritarianism where we live and push back when far right ideology pushes in. Whilst we collectively witness America’s downward spiral, we cannot afford to lose the grip we have on our basic human rights here at home.
Intersections and complications:
On a lighter note, I believe that I love policy because I love overthinking, and finding niche intersections which mean that people experience set legislation in different ways. With that said, I feel that this policy was discussed over a dry turkey during dinner and then proposed the next day because how this will play out in reality where black girls are disproportionately seen as ‘too masculine’ (because of genetics) than their white counterparts, disabled children are already 3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than able bodied children and hospital healthcare workers are already overbooked, overworked and underpaid (now guess what type of people will jump at the opportunity to check children’s biological sex). This will put children in the hands of abusers, again. In our modern world healthcare providers aren’t your traditional doctor, nurse and GP (unlike, maybe, 50 years ago), we have online courses that can “qualify” someone as a healthcare provider. Interpretations of different medicines that are taught online such as EFT tapping, chiropractory, psychology that qualify someone as a healthcare provider. US lawyers are going to have a field day defending the old Joe under this clause unless it is properly and specifically defined.
I just hope Britain doesn’t start to mimic our neighbours over the water and realises that transphobia does not even scratch the surface of protecting children, women or anyone in sports, in classrooms, bathrooms or anywhere else. With the current national UK Youth Parliament voting for Votes at 16 at the House of Commons in February, an argument surfaces about whether young people are ‘ready, trustworthy, reliable and ’safe’ to have the privilege of voting. Ironic that these sort of policy ideas are being proposed by adults, whilst young people are too naïve or misinformed to join in on said conversations.
Abi
Not just elected members
Did you know that Somerset Youth Parliament isn’t just it’s elected members? Any young person in Somerset aged 10-25 years can become a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group.
For more information about becoming a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group and to join, visit our Join Us page.
