UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In response to recent legal developments that, according to Penn State Law OutLaw President Eli Fields, appear to “move the clock back on LGBTQ+ rights,” a hybrid event discussing the current state of LGBTQ+ rights was held in the HUB-Robeson Center and via Zoom for the Penn State community. "Queer and Trans Rights: Recent Developments in American Law" was hosted by OutLaw, in collaboration with the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schreyer, and the Schreyer Gender Equity Coalition.
Focusing on educating attendees on recent legal developments, as well as taking meaningful action, the event featured a presentation from Dara Purvis, Penn State Law associate dean for research and partnerships and professor of law. She discussed the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a Texas directive that orders trans-affirming care for minors to be classified as child abuse. She also discussed an upcoming Supreme Court case that will decide creative services’ ability to discriminate against same-sex couples. The significance and impact of each issue, the political aspects, the expected outcome of the legal challenges, and what each could mean for the future were highlighted in Purvis’ discussion.
“One of my favorite things about Penn State Law students is how engaged they are with how the law impacts people, and this is a great example of that,” said Purvis. “Discrimination against LGBTQ people, especially trans children, is worsening throughout the country, and I’m so proud of our students for leading education and activism against it.”
In addition to the important discussion, attendees were encouraged to take action by contacting Pennsylvania legislators to call for a ban on conversion therapy for minors in the state. There also was a letter-writing campaign in collaboration with the Montrose Center in Houston, Texas, and the Thrive Youth Center in San Antonio, Texas. Attendees penned letters of support, solidarity and encouragement for the youth directly affected by the Texas directive.
“Poor mental health is a widespread problem in the transgender community, especially among our youth,” said Fields. “Tragically, a significant majority of trans youth have seriously contemplated suicide. These recent transphobic initiatives are illustrative of the reasons why.
“We wanted to fight back against these harmful messages and do what we can to support trans youths in Texas during these harrowing times. It is my hope that these letters will do something, however small, to improve the mental health of Texan transgender children.”
The event recording is available to view online.
OutLaw is a student organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, et al (LGBTQ+) individuals and allies at Penn State Law. OutLaw is dedicated to creating a safe space for all LGBTQ+ persons, and providing social, educational, professional and philanthropic opportunities for Penn State Law's LGBTQ+ community. OutLaw strives to foster a dialogue with the larger campus community about the legal status of LGBTQ+ persons in society, the ways in which the law interacts with the lives of LGBTQ+ persons, and being LGBTQ+ in the legal profession. All students are welcome and encouraged to join OutLaw to increase awareness and acceptance at the law school.