Republicans working to make gender-affirming care for minors illegal face push back

A group of health care professionals, parents and LGTBQ rights activists asked the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council Thursday to pass resolutions condemning a series of bills currently before the Republican-controlled Kentucky General Assembly. “Drag is good. Drag is not a crime,” said Uma Jewels, a drag performer who has raised more than $100,000 for local charities as part of the Imperial Court of Kentucky. “We ask for your affirmation. We ask that you affirm our right to exist.” More than two dozen people spoke during Thursday’s council meeting condemning a push by the Republican-controlled legislature to make gender-affirming care for minors illegal and other bills regulating where drag shows can be performed, among other bills.

Rebecca Blankenship is the first openly transgender person to be elected to a local office in Kentucky. Blankenship has been vocal about the various bills pending before the Kentucky General Assembly that attack LGBTQ rights. (Excerpt from Lexington Herald Leader.)