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Republicans cite “science” as why they oppose the #EqualityAct - a bill that would extend federal civil rights protections to all #LGBTQ Americans.
As a physician and researcher, I can tell you science firmly disagrees with their position. #medtwitter https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/politicians-dont-get-to-use-science-to-oppose-the-equality-act/
As a physician and researcher, I can tell you science firmly disagrees with their position. #medtwitter https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/politicians-dont-get-to-use-science-to-oppose-the-equality-act/
Rigorous research has shown that #trans antidiscrimination laws result in a decrease in suicidality. States that implemented these laws saw a 39% drop in suicidality among #trans people. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32374362/
Adolescent suicidality dropped in states that passed marriage equality, likely due to broad societal impact that improved social climates and subsequently mental health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28241285/
Another study showed that laws permitting refusal of services to #LGBTQ people based on "moral" grounds substantially increase mental health problems. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29799924/
The GOP says the #EqualityAct would increase sexual assaults, but studies show that #trans inclusive bathroom policies decrease sexual assaults against #trans people and do not increase sexual assaults against cisgender people. See links to studies here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/politicians-dont-get-to-use-science-to-oppose-the-equality-act/
GOP senators also claim that the #EqualityAct would hurt women's sports by allowing #trans athletes to compete on teams that match their gender identity. This isn't true, as I recently explained for @sciam: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trans-girls-belong-on-girls-sports-teams/
In summary, if GOP Senators are going to continue opposing the #EqualityAct, it is time they admit that their opposition isn’t based on science. It’s based on the regressive view, not shared by most Americans, that #LGBTQ people don’t deserve equal protection under the law.
