Delaware
Delaware lawmakers seek to enshrine protections for gender-affirming care
Bill aimed at starting a discussion, unlikely to advance
Delaware residents who receive gender-affirming care and the doctors that provide it can breathe a sigh of relief if a bill aimed at protecting those who seek gender-affirming care and the doctors that provide it passes.
The bill, introduced by Rep. DeShanna Neal (D-District 13) last week, tacks on gender-affirming care protections to existing protections for those who receive or provide abortions.
“I filed House Bill 230 because we are seeing other states weaponizing their laws against the transgender community, and we should be clear that we will not let those other states’ laws prevent people from seeking gender-affirming care in Delaware,” Neal said in a statement.
The bill would prevent out-of-state people from suing a patient who received gender-affirming care in Delaware and the doctors that provided that care. It would also prevent insurance companies from penalizing doctors providing gender-affirming health care so long as they are not breaking Delaware’s laws.
Kelly Nichols, a nurse practitioner who provides gender-affirming care like hormone therapy to patients at Planned Parenthood clinics in Delaware, said the bill is extremely important given the wave of anti-transgender legislation around the country.
“It’s really important in the face of that that we have protections as providers here for patients who may be traveling here to seek care,” Nichols, the associate medical director at Planned Parenthood of Delaware, said in an interview.
The country’s major medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, all support gender-affirming health care.
Despite that support, Neal wrote in a statement that they won’t be pushing the bill forward in the House Health & Human Development committee this year, adding that the bill would start a useful discussion about transgender health care protections. They did not reply to an email asking for an interview and a House Democratic Caucus communications staffer said it was hard to nail legislators down because the legislature is in session.
Neal’s move came after opposition from Senate Republican leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker and Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn. The two senators claimed that the bill would erode parental rights in a statement, which has become a standard talking point for Republicans across the country. Two representatives for the Senate’s Republicans did not respond to an email and multiple phone calls requesting an interview with the legislators.
The senators added that children are “rarely” held liable for crimes because their brain is still developing – and so is their body – so, they claim, it makes little sense to allow them to undergo “irreversible changes” to their body.
In fact, teens rarely undergo surgery before 18. Doctors must agree that a patient, child or not, needs the physical transition care. Each surgery has different guidelines associated with it, and the major medical associations all fully support gender-affirming care and oppose bans.
Teens who receive gender-affirming care are much less likely to die by suicide, according to an observational peer-reviewed 2022 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In the cohort the study examined, youth were 73% less likely to attempt suicide.
The senators also say the legislation erodes parental rights, a claim that has become the standard talking point for Republicans across the country who see gender-transition care and children’s ability to explore their gender – especially at school – critically.
Neal said they will spend their legislative break, from July 1 into 2024, building support for the bill and educating residents about transgender healthcare.
The bill also gives the state more tools to combat legislation in other states preventing healthcare for transgender people: It allows Delaware to hear child custody cases for kids in Delaware for gender-affirming care from states that ban the care; it prevents Delaware from turning over people that broke another state’s ban; it allows anyone sued in another state for getting or helping someone receive gender-affirming care to countersue them in Delaware; and prevents trans patients’ records from being shared without their consent.
“Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with the reaction of some in Delaware already,” Neal said in the statement, “more dialogue is needed. I look forward to future discussions regarding the importance of protecting the rights of those seeking gender-affirming care in Delaware.”
Delaware
Wilmington, Del. leaders paint city’s first rainbow crosswalk
Mayor John Carney signs Pride proclamation
Wilmington, Del. city leaders and community members gathered to paint the first rainbow crosswalk in the city on June 24, after Mayor John Carney signed a proclamation to declare June as Pride month.
The crosswalk was painted at the intersection of 6th and Union Streets near Crimson Moon, the only LGBTQ bar in New Castle County.
“This is not just paint on pavement — it’s a statement,” said Mayor Carney. “This crosswalk is a symbol of visibility and belonging. It reflects our promise that Wilmington is a place where everyone, regardless of who they are or who they love, should feel safe, seen, and supported.”
After the signing, the mayor joined At-Large City Council members Latisha Bracy and James Spadola, the Public Works Department, LGBTQ leaders, and community advocates in painting the crosswalk vibrant rainbow colors.
Mayor Carney said Council member Bracy helped “lead the charge” of this initiative in an Instagram post. At the event, Brady said the crosswalk was “a long time coming” and that it had been requested several years ago but did not get done until now.
“There’s nothing more American than letting people be who they are,” Council member Spadola said during the proclamation ceremony.
The Delaware Pride Festival in Dover lost 57% of its corporate funding this year, according to The News Journal, due to backlash over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Delaware is currently pushing legislation to codify same-sex marriage into the state Constitution. The amendment passed through the Senate on June 10 and is awaiting consideration from the House.
Delaware
Del. governor signs order to protect gender-affirming care
Directive to safeguard personal data of patients, providers
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed an executive order to protect gender-affirming care on June 20 at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, followed by the first meeting of the newly formed LGBTQ commission, which will work to protect the rights of LGBTQ Delawareans.
Executive Order 11 makes Delaware a shield state for providers of gender-affirming care. It prohibits state agencies from cooperating with investigations, subpoenas, or legal actions by other states against individuals or providers involved in care that is legal in Delaware.
Gender-affirming care refers to a range of medical, psychological, and social services that are designed to support transgender and nonbinary individuals towards aligning their outward characteristics with their gender identity.
“Across the country, people are being punished for seeking or providing gender-affirming care,” said Meyer in a press release. “In Delaware, we cherish privacy, dignity, and the right to make personal medical decisions. Everyone deserves the freedom to access healthcare rooted in science and compassion.”
CAMP Rehoboth Communications Director Matty Brown said the center was “honored” to be the location for the signing. He said the atmosphere was “emotionally charged” and “joyous” with many “tears of joy.”
“CAMP Rehoboth applauds this executive order,” Brown told the Washington Blade. “This is a clear signal to all Delawareans that all are welcome to thrive here … We know that medical care should be between the provider and the patient, so we are so excited to see Gov. Meyer uphold that.”
State Rep. DeShanna Neal spoke at the event and told a story of her fight with the state to get gender-affirming care for her trans daughter.
“I want to thank Gov. Meyer for his actions today and helping me keep a 20-year promise to my daughter and all the families that this fight has helped,” said Neal.
At least 14 other states and D.C. have passed similar protective laws designed to shield providers and patients from laws in states where gender-affirming care is restricted or criminalized.
“Transgender Delawareans and those traveling here for care can now breathe a little easier,” said Cora Castle, chair of the LGBTQ Commission. “This executive order reflects what science and medical experts have made clear for years: gender-affirming care is lifesaving. It also shows what happens when people with lived experience are trusted to help shape policy — we lead with both empathy and evidence. Delaware is proving what it means to protect all its people.”
Milton, Del., will host its Pride Fest this Saturday with the theme “Small Town, Big Heart.” The town’s population of just over 3,000 is in its sixth year hosting Pride.
The event is hosted by Sussex Pride and Milton Theatre and will take place from 4-8 p.m. in the area surrounding the theater. Admission is pay-what-you-can and proceeds will support the Milton Theatre’s education wing campaign, an initiative dedicated to expanding arts education and creating spaces for the next generation of performers and artists.
The musical act schedule includes Goldstar at 4 p.m., Magnolia Applebottom and Friends at 5:30 p.m., and Mama’s Blacksheep at 6:45 p.m. There will be vendors, food trucks, and a Kids Fest with an inflatable obstacle course.
“In our little corner of the world, LOVE leads the way! Milton Pride 2025 is a celebration for EVERYONE — neighbors, families, allies, and friends — because acceptance, kindness, and community belong to us all,” Milton Theatre’s website reads. “Whether you’re here to cheer, learn, or simply feel the joy … you’re welcome exactly as you are. Let’s come together and celebrate Milton, a SMALL TOWN … with a BIG HEART!”
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