US-Bundesstaat Arkansas: Republikaner wollen Kurzhaarfrisur für Mädchen unter Strafe stellen

Arkansas Republican Lawmakers Introduce Controversial Bill

In a controversial move, Arkansas Republican lawmakers Mary Bentley and Alan Clark have introduced a bill aimed at criminalizing certain expressions of gender identity among minors, including specific hairstyles and clothing choices. Known as Bill 1668, this legislation seeks to enforce the „Vulnerable Youth Protection Act“ inspired by the Trump administration, fundamentally denying transgender identities and labeling them as „confusion.“

Key Provisions of Bill 1668

• Proposes a staggering 15-year statute of limitations.
• Allows courts to impose damages of up to $15 million on individuals, such as hairstylists and educators, who support a child’s gender expression.

Arguments Surrounding the Legislation

Bentley argues that the legislation protects children from being coerced into understanding gender ideologies they are not ready for. However, experts label the bill as unconstitutional, pointing out violations of free speech rights.

Reactions from Civil Rights Organizations

Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, have condemned the bill as „state-sanctioned bullying.“ This development adds to Arkansas’s track record of stringent laws against transgender rights, continuing a broader cultural battle in the U.S. against the recognition of diverse gender identities.

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