Keshet is working with secular LGBTQ+ rights organizations and Jewish organizations to fight for LGBTQ+ equality in North Carolina. Along with local synagogues, we are working with Carolina Jews for Justice and Equality North Carolina to mobilize Jewish communities for LGBTQ+ rights. To get involved in North Carolina, sign up here.

2024 Bills to Watch

(Information from the Trans Formations Project)

SB 49 (-)

The bill requires school districts to guarantee a parent's right to be involved in their child's education and health. Parents must have access to all educational and health records maintained by the school that pertain to their child. Classes pertaining to sexuality and gender identity are prohibited for kindergarten through 4th grade, and parents must be notified of any changes in the name or pronoun used for their child. Parents have the right to file civil action against a school unit for violation of procedures, and employees are subject to disciplinary action if they encourage a child to withhold information from parents. A minor child may not receive medical treatment without the prior consent of the parents.

HB 808 / SB 639 (-)

This bill mandates that no health care professional shall be allowed to provide or prescribe treatments to patients under 18 for any transition-related care or refer minor patients to other providers for transition-related care. This ban includes puberty blockers, surgeries, and hormone replacement therapy. The bill specifically allows an exception for "corrective" procedures for intersex traits. Violations are considered unprofessional conduct by a medical professional and subject to disciplinary action. This bill also prevents public funds from being given to any organization that provides trans health care to minors in any capacity, and it prevents health insurance companies from paying for trans health care treatments for any minor. It also declares that all money paid to or used for anyone’s gender transition may not be tax deductible.

HB 574 / SB 631 (-)

This bill mandates that no health care professional shall be allowed to provide or prescribe treatments to patients under 18 for any transition-related care or refer minor patients to other providers for transition-related care. This ban includes puberty blockers, surgeries, and hormone replacement therapy. The bill specifically allows an exception for "corrective" procedures for intersex traits. Violations are considered unprofessional conduct by a medical professional and subject to disciplinary action. This bill also prevents public funds from being given to any organization that provides trans health care to minors in any capacity, and it prevents health insurance companies from paying for trans health care treatments for any minor.

Pro-LGBTQ+ Laws

  • Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents in adoption and foster care
  • Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment and public accommodations
  • Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ state employees
    • However, the state explicitly excludes transition-related healthcare in their state employee health benefits
  • Anti-bullying law protecting LGBTQ+ students
  • Conversion therapy ban covering LGBTQ+ youth
  • Protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system
  • State allows for changing of gender marker on driver’s licenses
  • Transgender Inclusive Health Benefits for State Employees

Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

  • No second-parent adoption for unmarried couples or confirmatory adoption
  • State family leave policies do not include inclusive definitions of spouse/partner/parent/child
  • No recognition for parents using assisted reproduction
  • No nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing, jury service, or credit/lending
  • The state has targeted religious exemption law that permits state and local officials to decline to marry couples of whose marriage they disapprove
  • No nondiscrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ students
  • State curriculum not required to be LGBTQ+-inclusive
  •  “Don’t Say Gay” law barring or explicitly restricting educators from discussing LGBTQ people or issues in schools
  • State Law prevents transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity
  • Forced outing of transgender youth in schools
  • Ban on best practice medical care for transgender youth
  • State Medicaid Policy limiting coverage for transgender people
  • No hate crimes law protecting LGBTQ+ people
  • Gay/trans panic defense is not banned
  • State criminalizes transmission of HIV
  • The state requires proof of sex reassignment surgery in order to change gender marker
  • The state does not allow for changing of gender marker on birth certificates
  • State law requires publication of name change announcement
  • No gender-neutral options on driver’s license or birth certificates