State Senator Ceci Maher’s Op-Ed Published in the Stamford Advocate
State Sen. Ceci Maher (opinion): 'Let Kids Be Kids'? Let LGBTQ+ people be themselves
By state Sen. Ceci Maher
April 3, 2024
It is a concerning time for LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones. In just the last year, the ACLU has tracked nearly 500 bills introduced in statehouses nationwide that seek to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. These bills come as continuous and constant homophobia and transphobia is being expressed, leading to a downturn in public support for LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. However, we can rest assured that in the Nutmeg State, its leaders will continue to ensure Connecticut serves as a safe haven for all.
Or can we? As State Treasurer Erick Russell pointed out in the Hartford Courant last month, Republican lawmakers in Connecticut have introduced proposed legislation that directly targets trans children. This has brought national culture wars that demonize and "other"ise trans individuals to Hartford, putting their safety at risk. Immediately, in response to the editorial, lawmakers doubled down, accusing schools of "socially transitioning" children, stating that gender-questioning children are mentally ill, and stating that trans children are actually just gay.
Despite the naming of the bills, the "Let Kids Be Kids" legislation they introduced would in fact prevent trans and non-binary children from letting them be themselves, utilizing rhetoric that lays bare their discriminatory intentions. This debate is also surfacing in other committees in the General Assembly, including in bills that would simply align language in statutes with what already exists in bills passed years ago. Often, the comments are insensitive and occasionally offensive to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. In the last month, this happened in the Committee on Children, as well as the Insurance and Real Estate Committee. It should be noted that these undermining statements were made immediately following the loss of Nex Benedict, a non-binary Oklahoma high school student whose untimely death can be connected to anti-LGBTQ+ policy in that state.
Debate surrounding Senate Bill 125, which recently passed out of the Committee on Children, attempted to prevent a legislative process of aligning language of the Department of Children and Families into accordance with current statutes, with the language drawing the ire of some Republican lawmakers. Their comments were not relevant to the bill, per se, but instead were reflective of a nationally focused effort to avoid recognition of gender identity. The bill involves the Department of Children and Families adopting regulations and language concerning the adoptive placement of children.
Comments were directed toward a language change made by the legislation. It makes a simple change, replacing the term "expectant mother" with the term "pregnant person," as well as "father" or "mother" with "genetic parents." This simply removes gender from these statutes to support inclusivity. The debate around the bill claimed this ungendered language erases the identity of all mothers, which is not factual.
Further comments were made recently in the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, this time on a bill to ensure LGBTQ+ couples are able to receive coverage for medical expenses concerning efforts to start a family. Debate around the bill included comments by a Republican lawmaker that it "just doesn't make sense" for a gay couple to pursue options such as in vitro fertilization "since that's just not the way (babies) are made." What's even more concerning is that a bill seeking to provide equal rights for all partners in Connecticut with the same opportunities to start families was identified by a lawmaker as "certain individuals or couples getting more protections under the law."
Connecticut is the land of steady habits; it was one of the first states to approve gay marriage in 2008 and has been a leader in protecting LGBTQ+ rights. For rhetoric like this to bleed into legislative committees — similar comments were heard in the Government Administration and Elections and Public Health Committees — is to harm our state's reputation. Our residents deserve a state where they are safe and can live, thrive and grow. Studies show that queer and trans children face higher rates of bullying and harassment than their peers. When states pass laws protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens, suicide attempt rates among the youngest of our citizens fall.
The General Assembly and its members should be focused on supporting all the people of Connecticut, not in using discriminatory language and stoking culture wars. If we are going to "Let Kids Be Kids," we have to focus on making sure everyone feels safe, protected and true to themselves.
Ceci Maher represents the 26th District and serves as Senate chair of the Children's Committee. Her district includes Wilton, Weston, Westport, Redding and parts of Ridgefield, New Canaan and Darien.
