In response to Republican lawmakers in Ohio and Delaware introducing bills which mandate that teachers, counselors and physicians must notify parents if their children are transgender or questioning their gender, Debra Hauser, president of Advocates for Youth, issued the following statement:

“These bills are blatant attack on all transgender and gender-nonconforming children in Ohio and Delaware. Republican lawmakers are criminalizing gender identity and endangering LGTBQIA youth who may not feel safe sharing their identities at home. At a time when our country is finally understanding the importance of creating environments where all kids, including LGBTQIA kids, feel safe and comfortable asserting their gender identity, codifying transphobia into law is a huge step backwards. While lawmakers continue trying to restrict the freedoms of youth across the country, we will continue supporting young people as they stand up against bigotry and hate.”