LGBTQ+ families flee states like Kentucky with anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ laws for Illinois where their rights are protected – ABC7 Chicago

This blog originally appeared at ABC Eyewitness News.

Illinois (WLS) — Some people are leaving states with anti-trans or anti-LGBTQ+ laws and relocating to LGBTQ+ friendly states like Illinois. They said it’s an issue of safety.

A realtor and some local organizations said they’ve seen an uptick in people looking to move to the Land of Lincoln to escape anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in other states. That includes one father who told the I-Team his family is moving to Illinois because he believes it will help ensure his son’s well-being and safety.

“As a parent, you have one job, love your kid. That’s your only job and your kids telling you something over and over and over again. If you love them. You believe them,” said Mark, who asked that his last name not be used.

His family is moving to Illinois for the sake of his 7-year-old son, who is transgender. To protect his son’s identity, Mark is using another name, Connor.

“Connor just wants to be a boy. And so, you know, we weren’t dismissive, but we were sort of quiet about it the first couple times Connor said this. And we would listen to him and say, you know, ‘We can deal with that later. You’re a little young.’ But it became sort of a common thing. Maybe once a month, that maybe once a week,” Mark said.

Mark and his wife and their son are leaving Kentucky and moving to the Chicago area due to anti-trans legislation recently passed there.

“The first concern is around teachers or other employees of the school being able to deadname my child or misgendering them,” he said. “Second concern is use of a bathroom. Either they’ll have to use the nurse’s bathroom or the bathroom that is not their gender, so that would out them. A third concern is around medication. So doctors in Kentucky will lose their license if they treat my son.”

Gender-affirming care for minors will also be banned in Kentucky by late June.

“So that means we have to travel across state lines to get medicine,” Mark said. “And my fourth concern is what law comes next. And what harsher penalties and loss of right will my son experience.”

Mark is working with realtor June Allen-Smith to find a home in the Chicago area.

click here to see full blog: https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-lgtbq-rights-gender-affirming-care-drag-trans/13402900/