Over the past five years, LGBTQ+ rights and people have been under attack in states nationwide, especially transgender youth. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently tracking 469 active pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country — more than double the number last year and 10 times as many as in 2018.

According to ACLU, 220 of these are related to schools and education. State lawmakers are proposing laws to prevent students who are transgender from participating in school activities like sports, and to force educators to “out” their students and censor school discussions of LGBTQ+ people and issues. Fifty of these bills are in Texas, while one — CTA-opposed AB 1314 (Assayli, R-Riverside) — is in California. As of April, 24 bills have passed in 11 states targeting LGBTQ+ rights in healthcare (including gender-affirming care), education and even banning drag performances in public places.

According to the Movement Advancement Project, eight states currently have laws censoring discussions of LGBTQ+ people or issues in schools — so-called “Don’t Say Gay” laws that started in Florida last year with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Federal lawmakers are also taking aim at LGBTQ+ rights and youth with Congress considering House Resolution 734, which would exclude transgender students from participating in activities and opportunities that should be available to all students. NEA is opposed to HR 734 in defense of transgender students, calling on lawmakers to reject the proposed law.