Hey, I hope it’s ok to share some information and resources for any trans Black Kansans here? It’s a really scary time right now for any trans person in Kansas, but especially any trans person of color.
Today a dangerous anti-trans bill (SB 244) went into effect, it’s been called a bathroom bounty hunter bill because it encourages people to harass and transvestigate anyone with a financial incentive. If a person is using a bathroom that doesn’t match the sex marker on their ID, they can be sued by the person harassing them. This will undoubtedly disproportionately impact Black trans people, especially Black trans women. Cis people are also going to be caught up in this (especially Black women) by anyone who deems them not feminine or masculine enough to use a goddamn bathroom.
And the bill doesn’t stop there. It additionally overturns any Kansas ID (driver’s license and birth certificate) that has had the sex marker changed. This bill went into effect today, and individuals whose ID’s would be affected were notified by mail YESTERDAY. Hundreds of people’s ID’s were rendered invalid OVERNIGHT. (Oh, and the state is also making them pay for their new ones too.)
Kansas is NOT a walkable state so anyone who plans to go to the DMV to update their ID (or plans on driving anywhere within the state) runs the risk of being pulled over and charged with driving with an invalid license- something punished with fines and/or jail time.
It’s terrifying that this bill was instated and terrifying that other red states are likely to follow. I hope everyone out there is able to keep themselves and their friends safe.
The resources I’d like to share:
The ACLU of Kansas is working to challenge this bill in court,
https://www.aclukansas.org/
The Trans Continental Pipeline works to help trans people relocate to Colorado
National Black Justice Collective has a more cohesive list of resources for Black trans individuals, including links to many Black trans-led organizations
https://nbjc.org/black-tgnc-resources/
Erin in the Morning is an incredible news source for transgender news across the US
https://www.erininthemorning.com/
The number and website for the Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
(Sorry if this is off topic for your blog since it’s not about character creation, but I figured it was still relevant)
