BB, MSW, LGSW

Bill sponsors include Rep Tom Brinkman (614.644.6886) and Rep Paul Zeltwanger (614.644.6027) PLEASE make your voices heard on this esp if you are an OH resident! (h/t @ChangeTheVerb for sharing these numbers!!)

In addition to calling the numbers above you can also tweet these two reps: @GoBrinkman and @pzelt (h/t @prinniedidit for sharing!)

Hi fam couple quick things since I keep getting slammed on these: no, it's not necessarily a HIPAA issue bc HIPAA applies differently to minors/parents. However, it is a violation of professional ethics codes. It would ask professionals to choose between ethics vs. laws.

Also, I understand it is not a law yet. It is currently a bill with potential to become law, unlikely as it is to pass. However, I hope enough people speak out against it, that it dies in committee before it gets any further. I want this bill to die swiftly and loudly.

I worry if it gains even the slightest bit of traction (like making it out of committee) other states more conservative than OH will see it as a bat signal & suddenly this isn't just 1 bill proposed in 1 state but a trend throughout states that may have an easier time passing it.

Further, regardless of the likelihood of this becoming law, I want people, especially trans/nb/gnc youth, to see and know that there are people (LOTS of them!) willing to speak out against this. People deserve to know who has their back.

The suicide rates for trans youth are SKY HIGH, and I want to be undeniably clear where we stand on this issue, even if it never goes anywhere past this stupid bill, because I see it as a legitimate life/death issue.

Y’all I’m trying my best to read and acknowledge all the replies and quote tweets and answer questions and such here but there are so many, if I miss yours I’m so sorry! I’m used to my “popular tweets” getting like... 10 likes.

Some folks are quoting trans suicide rates & saying we need this law so parents know if their kids are suicidal. Trust that therapists of COURSE alert necessary caregivers if there is risk of harm, but I can tell a parent I’m worried about harm w/o outing my client w/o consent.

Some folks also saying this law is good so parents can support their kids. Again, trust our professional judgment. If a kid wants/consents to bringing parents in the loop and if it seems supportive/safe to do so, I’m not advocating we DISCOURAGE kids from coming out to parents.

Point is: these situations are contextual, many factors are at play, & a couple major ones are consent & safety—bc of these critical variables & bc trans/nb/gnc kids are already at high risk of harm, blanket laws like this are dangerous &antithetical to ethics/purpose of therapy.

sidenote: for everyone saying “you’ve never been to jail” “nah you wouldn’t do this” etc - no I’ve never been to jail & I don’t WANT to go, but as someone said yesterday I’d rather go to jail than to a child’s funeral. And if you think I’m exaggerating on that, you don’t know me.

Ok y'all I really think this is going to be my last thought on all this but I need to say: I appreciate the dialogue/support/etc but ultimately I am a cishet woman - don't expect trans/nb/gnc folks to do all the emotional labor for you but DO center/uplift/listen to their voices.

The responses of "hero" & "queen" are v sweet but I'm honestly not special & my voice truly isn't the most important in this conversation - I'm just a random person whose tweet somehow went viral. Support orgs like @TrevorProject @ACLU &local orgs that support trans/nb/gnc folks.

Also remember not to center white folks in this; trans/nb/gnc POC are at highest risks for violence/homelessness/etc. Keep these folks at the center of these conversations & increase therapist training AND representation to acknowledge/shift white privilege in the MH field.