Pride and Prejudice on Trial

Meanwhile, SCOTUS is chipping away at the very rights we fought so hard to obtain back in the seventies. On June 18, they upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors in a 6-3 decision. By doing this, they didn’t just ban healthcare - they sent a message that trans kids don’t count.  You think Pennsylvanians are safe?  Think again.  There’s a similar bill advancing in the PA Senate - SB 9.  State Senator Judy Schwank made her opposition to the bill crystal clear:  “I rise in opposition to Senate Bill 9, because the statewide ban proposed today will succeed only in telling children that they do not belong.” Are you seeing a theme here?   
 
To make matters worse, in a case filed in Maryland’s Montgomery County, SCOTUS sided (6-3) with a group of parents demanding that their public schools provide notices so that they may have their children “opt-out” from certain readings that conflict with their religious beliefs. Oh, the horrors of “Drag Queen Story Hour.”  Nothing more dangerous than glitter, fabulousness, and self-esteem. Right. 
 
Subsequently, in Pennsylvania, where no statewide law exists to protect LGBTQ+ folks, these rulings are a serious threat to our lives and liberty. Don’t despair.  Do something!  In addition to calling your state Senators, there is something more you can do to ensure equal protections for all LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. 
 
This fall, Berks County voters will decide who will keep their judicial seats and when LGBTQ+ rights are on the docket, we need judges who understand the difference between law and prejudice. Let’s keep it simple for this year’s judicial retention election:

Don’t ignore the very bottom of the ballot. Vote YES to retain our judges – they are all Democrats.