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| Me, Regina, and Robin. |
As we walked around the Capitol there were all different groups there to lobby the legislators, there was a group for prisoner rights, and groups for the homeless and our group "Queering the Capitol"
There were about 50 people there for the "Queering the Capitol" we at first were on the other side of the Capitol and then we found out that everyone was on the other side of the building, it was 50 feet away but we couldn't go that way because it was blocked off. We had to take the elevator down and then back up the other side but a very nice officer looked the other way as we seniors hobbled to the "other side"
There were about 50 people there for the "Queering the Capitol" we at first were on the other side of the Capitol and then we found out that everyone was on the other side of the building, it was 50 feet away but we couldn't go that way because it was blocked off. We had to take the elevator down and then back up the other side but a very nice officer looked the other way as we seniors hobbled to the "other side"
The Republicans introduced a number of bills.
1 That title 10 of the general statutes be amended to (1) prohibit the16 responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the
2 development, adoption or teaching of a curriculum for students in
3 grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, that includes the teaching of
4 biased political ideology or makes any individual feel discomfort, guilt,
5 anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of the
6 individual's race or sex, and (2) define (A) "biased political ideology" as
7 the following concepts: (i) One race or sex is inherently superior to
8 another race or sex, (ii) the state of Connecticut or the United States of
9 America is fundamentally racist or sexist, (iii) an individual, by virtue
10 of the individual's race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive,
11 whether consciously or unconsciously, (iv) an individual should be
12 discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly
13 because of the individual's race or sex, (v) an individual's moral
14 character is necessarily determined by the individual's race or sex, (vi)
15 an individual, by virtue of the individual's race or sex, bears
17 same race or sex, (vii) any individual should feel discomfort, guilt,
18 anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of the
19 individual's race or sex, (viii) meritocracy or traits such as hard work
20 ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress
21 another race, or (ix) any other form of race or sex stereotyping of any
22 other form of race or sex scapegoating, (B) "race or sex stereotyping" as
23 ascribing character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges,
24 status or beliefs to a race or sex or to an individual because of the
25 individual's race or sex, and (C) "race or sex scapegoating" means
26 assigning fault, blame or bias to a race or sex or to members of a race or
27 sex because of the individual's race or sex and similarly encompasses
28 any claim that any particular race or sex is responsible for society's ills.
This looks like that it is right out of Florida! Then we have another that sounds like it is also right out of Florida...
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in GeneralAssembly convened:1 That the general statutes be amended to prohibit the state or any2 political subdivision of the state from requiring any individual or entity3 to use specific pronouns.
Another typical Republican bill! These two bills and the other right-wing bills introduced will most likely be DOA and never see the lights of a committee hearing.
The Hartford Courant reported that,
Sen. Rob Sampson introduced 70 bills and three resolutions Wednesday, several of which relate to the “parents rights” movement and the culture war around LGBTQ rights, including bills on “developmentally appropriate” instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, “political bias in the classroom,” and the right for parents to visit their child’s classroom during the day.Sampson introduced bills on school curriculum, social studies curriculum and reading curriculum. The social studies curriculum bill calls for a task force to be formed concerning the recommendation of the American Birthright’s Social Studies Standards, which the National Council for the Social Studies calls “a single narrative of U.S. and Western history that glorified selected aspects of history while minimizing the experiences, contributions, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, the working class, and countless others.”[...]One of the most conservative members of Connecticut’s legislature, from Wolcott, Connecticut’s most conservative town, Sampson’s bills rarely get enough support to advance.
*****
A friend drove me to the Capitol, it was her first time at the Capitol during the session... she was fascinated by the lobbyists... you mean all they do is stand around and talk? Yup.
Meanwhile I renewed a number of contacts and push my desire to drop-in centers for LGBTQ+ seniors.
We left around noon. We got there around 9:30 and most of the time we sitting on hard wooden benches and around noon my back screamed enough!
Connecticut is not alone with Republicans anti-LGBTQ+ laws...
GOP says bill would keep parents better informedABC 5 ClevelandBy: Morgan TrauJan 08, 2025Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed nearly 30 bills Wednesday, including legislation that would require schools to notify parents if the child identifies as LGBTQ+ as well as allow parents to opt out of so-called "sexuality" content. The GOP denies it is homophobic, saying it's just a way for parents to stay informed.State Reps. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) and Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) introduced House Bill 8, which requires schools and teachers to notify parents about any changes to their child's mental, physical, or emotional being — including if they identify as LGBTQ+.
Down in Texas...
“Cruelty tactics” begin againAustin ChronicleBy Brant Bingamon,Jan. 10, 2025Remember the bathroom bill from the 2017 legislative session? It’s back. If Republicans get their way, this time next year people in state-run spaces like public schools and office buildings who present and identify as men will be required to use women’s restrooms. Those who present and identify as women will be using men’s restrooms. Republican values in action!The bathroom bills – there are several of them – are one example of the dozens of anti-queer bills filed by Republicans so far this session, many aimed at transgender Texans. “We’re already seeing so much anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation,” Brigitte Bandit, a drag performer, civil rights defender, and member of the city’s LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission, told us wearily. “It’s like, okay, obviously this is going to be a priority for y’all.”A priority, yes – trans attacks have become an indispensable tactic for the Republican Party, helping it win elections and distracting from its ongoing impoverishment of the state. Miriam Laeky of Equality Texas, an advocacy group fighting for queer rights, told the LGBTQIA+ commission in December that she and her colleagues have identified 60 anti-queer bills filed so far, half of them targeting trans people. Many, like the bathroom bill, are refilings of bills that were considered and rejected in previous sessions.
In Idaho, the Advocate writes that....
Idaho Republican legislators have introduced a resolution on Tuesday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that established marriage equality nationwide.The measure, House Joint Memorial 1, claims the Supreme Court overstepped its authority by requiring states to recognize same-sex marriages. It also calls for a return to the so-called “natural definition” of marriage as between one man and one woman, a concept supporters insist is rooted in tradition.The non-binding resolution, spearheaded by the State Affairs Committee, asserts that states and not federal courts should decide marriage laws. While the resolution carries no legal weight, its introduction sends a clear signal about the state GOP’s priorities.“The Idaho Legislature insists on restoring the issue of marriage and enforcement of all laws pertaining to marriage back to the several states and the people,” the resolution reads.
Welcome to the new reality!
Update 1/10 @ 11AM
Middletown Press
By Cris Villalonga-VivoniA flood of rainbow ties, skirts and hats decorated the second floor of the Capitol building Wednesday as LGBTQ+ advocates, lobbyists and residents alike aimed to showcase their pride and the importance of representation on the opening day of the 2025 legislative session.[...]Although Connecticut legislators have made several efforts over the years to assure protections for LGBTQ+ residents, many community members say more work is needed to ensure the state is inclusive, especially in the face of anxiety and fear with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office later this month.“The community is on alert and all the people doing the work are on alert,” said Melissa Combs, founder of the Out Accountability Project. “So, some of this work is going to be about reacting in the moment to new things. But the good news is…people have been proactive about preparing for that.”Combs said it’s unclear what is coming with the Trump presidency but the community is bracing for the possibility of changes in protections. Combs points to Project 2025, thought of as a roadmap for the Trump presidency, which called for everything from removing words like “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” out of federal documents to eliminating workplace discrimination protections.State Attorney General William Tong said it’s hard to say what’s coming with the Trump presidency, but it’s best to believe that the cabinet will do what they’ve promised. He expects to see a lot of pressure placed on a variety of marginalized groups like women, LGBTQ+ and immigrants.[...]Allie-Brennan said there is work needed that can continue to address the intersectional issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community and other Connecticut residents, like homelessness. He said they do expect to see some anti-trans legislation be proposed, but it will go nowhere as in years past.
And so it begins!
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