FRANKFORT, Ky. — LGBTQ supporters rallied in Frankfort on Saturday to protest lawmakers overturning the governor's veto on Senate Bill 150, that among other things, bans gender transition care for minors.

What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers overturned Gov. Beshear's veto on SB 150, ultimately passing the bill

  •  There are several provisions in the bill that impact trans youth

  •  LGBTQ supporters held a rally at the state capitol building on Saturday

  • Many people are worried about the mental health of transgender youth as a result of this law

“We’re not particularly here to raise awareness,” said Lexi Voris, the organizer of the rally. “We’re here for a community call to action.”

The law has several provisions, including not allowing schools to require or recommend that staff use the pronouns that a student identifies with if it’s different than their “biological sex,” according to the text of the law.

“This is not a bill that anybody wanted,” said Angela Cooper, a spokesperson with the ACLU of Kentucky. “It’s going to end up costing the state a ton of money in court to fight it. We do plan to sue as soon as the law goes into effect, if not sooner.”

Voris does not feel that this bill reflects the values of people in the commonwealth, and ultimately believes that constituents are being ignored.

“I’m a lesbian and I’ve never felt in Kentucky that I didn’t belong here and I don’t think my trans friends have either until now,” said Voris. “This is the first time we’re seeing they’re blatantly doing things against what Kentuckians wish, what we wish.”

There is a growing fear over the effects SB 150 could have on the mental health of transgender youth. This has families wondering if they should leave the state altogether.

“This is their home, people shouldn’t be run out of their home,” said Cooper. “The whole ‘If you don’t like it, leave’ line just doesn’t play well with me.”

Protestors brought signs and listened to a variety of speakers, ending the action with a march.

“We’re not going to forget this, we’re going to continue to make noise, do whatever we can,” said Voris. “We’re done raising awareness. That’s over, they ignored us. We are here to get it together. This community is going to come together. It’s going to require everyone.”

There are plans to hold more actions in the coming weeks.

Kentucky is among one of several states that have passed anti-trans legislation so far this year.

Related Stories