gender identity
Saline County judge: Library director’s statements cause “high degree of concern”
BENTON — The Saline County Library Board on Monday delayed a vote on a resolution that would give the county judge power to relocate or remove controversial books from youth sections in the county’s two libraries. The meeting became heated at times, with members of the public and County Judge Matt Brumley weighing in on […]
Arkansas’ Griffin, other GOP AGs decry Biden’s proposed transgender student athlete rule
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and chief legal officers in 18 other states have opposed President Joe Biden’s proposed rule that would allow transgender students at public schools to participate in sports according to their gender identities. Griffin said in a Monday letter to U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona that “several biological males who identify as […]
Arkansas families describe living where lawmakers are hostile to their transgender children
Parker Saxton, 18, sings tenor in his high school choir and enjoys drawing. Sabrina Jennen, 17, also enjoys drawing and is considering a nursing career. Dylan Brandt, 17, works at a hardware store and is the manager of his high school’s cheerleading team. Brooke Dennis will be 11 this month and looks forward to playing […]
Arkansas librarians brace for impact of law making them liable for “obscene” content
Libraries across Arkansas are preparing for a potential wave of challenges when a new state law takes effect later this year, changing how libraries handle controversial material. But some public libraries have already seen an outpouring of public opposition to content that some consider harmful to children. Those librarians’ experiences offer a preview of what […]
UPDATED: Saline County officials express support for library obscenity law after much public input
This story was updated at 7:15 p.m. April 18, 2023 BENTON — The Saline County Quorum Court on Monday recommended that the county’s libraries “relocate materials that are not subject matter or age appropriate for children, due to their sexual content or imagery, to an area that is not accessible to children.” A state law […]
Pronoun restrictions in Arkansas schools head to Sanders’ desk
Arkansas public school teachers and professors will be required to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth, unless parents specifically allow them to do otherwise, if Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs House Bill 1468 into law. The Senate approved the bill along party lines Wednesday. It would require written permission from a […]
Gender-affirming care has a long history in the US – and not just for transgender people
In 1976, a woman from Roanoke, Virginia, named Rhoda received a prescription for two drugs: estrogen and progestin. Twelve months later, a local reporter noted Rhoda’s surprisingly soft skin and visible breasts. He wrote that the drugs had made her “so completely female.” Indeed, that was the point. The University of Virginia Medical Center in […]
Proposed restrictions on transgender pronouns in Arkansas schools head to Senate floor
The Arkansas Senate will consider requiring public school teachers and professors to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth unless parents specifically allow them to do otherwise. House Bill 1468 would require written permission from a minor’s parent or guardian for school employees to use any “pronoun or title that is inconsistent” […]
Arkansas House committee changes controversial public bathroom bill
The Arkansas House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved an amended version of a bill that initially would have criminalized entering and remaining in bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match an adult’s gender assigned at birth if children are present. Senate Bill 270 now limits potential misdemeanor charges and prosecutions to adults present “for […]
Proposed ban on teachers using transgender pronouns heads to Arkansas Senate
The Arkansas House approved a bill Monday that would require school employees in Arkansas to address students and other employees by their given names and pronouns. House Bill 1468 would require written permission from a minor’s parent or guardian for school employees to use any “pronoun or title that is inconsistent” with the minor’s biological […]
GOP bill establishing a federal parental bill of rights passed in U.S. House
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Friday passed a bill designed to empower parents to inspect books and other teaching materials in local public schools, but Democrats sharply criticized the measure, saying it would censor teachers and ban books. The legislation, called the Parents Bill of Rights, passed on a 213-208 vote. It would codify […]
Arkansas governor signs law allowing malpractice suits for transgender minors’ health care
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law Monday that opens the door for medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors who provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors. Senate Bill 199, now Act 274, creates civil liability for a doctor who “performs a gender transition procedure on a minor … if the minor is injured, including without […]