Stories From The States is a weekly podcast from States Newsroom that explores, through personal stories, how people and communities across America are being affected by government decisions. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
States legislators have advanced a record number of bills attacking LGBTQ rights over the past few years. Many bills include, but aren’t limited to, restrictions on access to health care, forced outings in schools or barriers to accurate IDs.
In February, the Kansas legislature passed a new law that invalidated driver’s licenses and criminalizes bathroom use for transgender residents. Trans people in Kansas are worried about living in the state.
In Episode 20, we’ll hear from Kansas Reflector editor-in-chief, Sherman Smith. He and his team have been covering the controversial legislation, which was fast-tracked by the legislature’s GOP majority.
We’ll also look at how the American Civil Liberties Union is responding. The ACLU is tracking almost 500 anti-LBGTQ bills across the country. The Trans Legislation Tracker also notes that over 20 anti-trans bills have been passed in state legislatures.
We’ll hear from Harper Seldin, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project who has been on the ground fighting these bills, including in Kansas.
Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching.
Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.
Click here for the full transcript.
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This podcast is produced by States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Florida Phoenix, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
