Tag Archives: PR.4

Looks Like PR.4 Is Coming Soon to a Ballot Near You

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The good news first: Contrary to what I wrote in my last post, legislative leadership appears to be fully committed to approving PR.4 and giving it a spot on the statewide ballot this November. The measure would add an equal protection clause to the state constitution, mandating “equal treatment under the law” for nine protected classes, including race, sex, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

This is great news given efforts by the Heritage Foundation, the Trump administration, and red-state legislatures to make life as difficult as possible for transgender Americans. Vermont cannot depend on mere tradition to preserve trans rights within its borders. They must be enshrined in our constitution.

Now, I should explain how I came to write. incorrectly, that PR.4 seemed to be sinking without a trace this year after winning overwhelming approval in 2024.

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The Trans Community Is Under Attack. What Are We Doing About It? (UPDATED)

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Note: Important update posted a few paragraphs down. More to follow.

Well, they’re saying the quiet part out loud. This week Keith Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, went on a conservative podcast and embraced the goal of outlawing all gender-affirming health care for everyone. Not just minors — everyone.

A reminder that the Heritage Foundation is the force behind Project 2025, the transformational playbook that Donald Trump disavowed when he was running for president but immediately began to implement upon taking office.

People like Roberts occupy the seats of power in the federal government. And the idea of banning gender-affirming care and kneecapping trans folk’s ability to live their lives is gradually taking hold in red states across the country. Roberts knows he can’t take such a radical step right now, but he wants to keep hammering away until trans people effectively lose the right to exist. He calls it “radical incrementalism,” and it’s happening all around us.

Meanwhile, here in exceptional little ol’ Vermont, a measure that would protect the rights of trans folk is apparently dying of neglect.

Update: Apparently it’s not. Scroll down to see a Comment posted by Sen. Nader Hashim, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He says the measure moved out of his committee and is headed to the Senate floor. Good to hear. Why didn’t I find it? I searched for the bill and portions of its title on the Legislature’s website and found no trace of the bill whatsoever. It’s the first time the search function has failed to produce any sign of a bill.

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