On Sept. 4, Republicans in Michigan’s House of Representatives passed a proposal which would prohibit transgender students in K-12 schools and universities from being able to use the bathroom of their preferred gender identity.
Rep. Joseph Fox (R-Fremont) sponsored House Bill 4204, claiming that it will “implement important safeguards in educational institutions.” This measure will be taken to ensure that no young girls will feel unsafe while in bathrooms, locker rooms or showers due to the presence of individuals who do not identify with their “God-given sex.”
“I am disheartened that we have left parents powerless, school personnel constrained and children vulnerable to evil in a broken world — specifically in spaces designed for privacy, dignity and respect,” Fox said.
In a 58-46 vote, all Democrats opposed the proposition. Many Democratic representatives believe that not only is the policy discriminatory towards transgender students, but it would also be nearly impossible to impose.
Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) opposed the bill, claiming that it violated the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, also referred to as ELCRA.
The act prohibits discriminatory actions taken in “practices, policies and customs in the exercise of those rights based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status.”
“As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to protect the rights of Michiganders, most certainly including those of our kids and students,” Scott said. “This legislation defies that very important responsibility by rolling back rights and eroding discrimination protections outlined in ELCRA.”
The policy still has to be sent to the Senate, where it is expected to not be passed due to the Senate majority identifying with the Democratic Party.
Transgender minors in Michigan have been facing a series of rollbacks on access to gender-affirming care and accessibilities.
On Sept. 10, Corewell Health announced that it would be discontinuing gender-affirming care for minors due to “serious risk of legal and regulatory action.”
“Corewell Health will no longer prescribe puberty blockers or hormone therapy to minors for gender affirmation. Like many health care systems across the country, we made this decision to protect both our health care providers and our patients. We will continue to compassionately address the health needs of our patients who are in transition or wish to transition, including providing mental health support,” Corewell said in a statement provided to the Free Press.
Corewell and many other Michigan hospitals are choosing to roll back on providing gender-affirming care to those under 19 years-old to prevent legal actions imposed by the Trump administration.
On Jan. 28, The White House announced in an executive order that it would not “fund, sponsor, promote, assist or support” a child’s gender-affirming transition and will instead work to enforce laws that prohibit providing the healthcare to do so.
Equality Michigan (EQMI), an organization in Michigan that works to ensure the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens across Michigan, released a statement regarding Corewell Health’s finalization in prohibiting gender-affirming care to minors.
“It is devastating to see yet another healthcare giant turn its back on transgender youth and families. Corewell’s decision underscores a disturbing pattern. Institutions that should be at the forefront of providing compassionate, evidence-based care are instead retreating under political pressure, leaving vulnerable young people to shoulder the harm,” EQMI Executive Director Erin Knott said in a statement.
Those under the age of 19 in Michigan who may wish to seek gender-affirming care now must face harsher restrictions in a less-welcoming environment.
