Movement Advancement Project (MAP), an organization that tracks policies on LGBTQ+ issues and voting, reported that bans on gender-affirming care are just the tip of the iceberg that is a “coordinated effort to eliminate LGBTQ+ people of all ages from public life.” The MAP’s five-part report on the national trend, entitled Under Fire, notes that states are restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth and adults; passing religious exemptions to deny medical care for LGBTQ+ people; increasing the difficulty of obtaining accurate identity documents listing trans people’s correct gender identity; censoring coverage of LGBTQ+ issues in schools; and increasing the targeted harassment and violence of queer people, all while eroding voting rights. Overall, MAP found that states with the highest rankings for LGBTQ+ equality also have the highest rankings for democracy and voting rights. Similarly, most states that score poorly for LGBTQ+ equality also score lower on democracy and voting rights. MAP pointed out that 11 states have voter ID laws and bans on ballot drop boxes, and nine states allow their legislatures to interfere in elections. Numerous states have gerrymandered districts that make it harder to elect pro-LGBTQ+ legislators and vote out anti-LGBTQ+ ones. Naomi Goldberg, MAP’s Deputy Director and LGBTQ Policy Director said, “As horrifying political attacks continue targeting LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender people, it’s critical that we also keep advocating for voting rights and the principles of democracy that help us to move forward an inclusive vision for the world.” #Queer Up Politics