Parents could have their children taken from them if they “misgender” them, under the terms of a bill that was just approved in Colorado’s Democrat-controlled State House.
On Friday, the Colorado State House passed bill HB25-1312, “Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals,” which makes “misgendering” any individual, including a child, a discriminatory action. The legislation also permits the state to take children from their parents if they’re guilty of “misgendering.”
The bill also protects parents from prosecution for seeking “gender-affirming care” for their children.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rebekah Stewart, argued the legislation would actually protect children.
“Supporting a child’s gender identity is indeed in the best interest of the child, and that support cannot be used against a loving and supportive parent in a dispute,” she said.
“This bill is truly the least that we can do. Frankly, I wish that we didn’t have to bring this bill, but the reality of navigating the world today as a transgender human necessitates it.”
Colorado Republicans slammed the bill.
“The idea that misgendering your own child is considered coercive control, which is another word for child abuse, because you want to get your child help instead of affirming their delusions… this is the most disgusting bill I’ve seen so far,” said GOP State Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, from Colorado Springs.
Bill HB25-1312 now passes to the State Senate, which is also controlled by the Democrats, and from there to Democrat Governor Jared Polis.