1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

SB3438: The SAFE Home Act - A Harmful Proposal for LGBTQ+ Youth This proposed legislation SB3438, the SAFE Home Act, raises serious concerns about discrimination and potential harm to LGBTQ+ youth. Denying placements based on a prospective parent's support for a child's gender identity or declining gender-affirming care goes against widely accepted medical standards and human rights principles. It could lead to traumatic outcomes for already vulnerable children in the foster system. Moreover, defining sex strictly by reproductive anatomy is an outdated and harmful view that fails to account for the complex biological, social, and psychological factors involved in gender identity and expression. This narrow definition disregards the lived experiences and identities of transgender and non-binary individuals. I urge you to reject this bill, as it promotes discrimination, undermines the wellbeing of youth in foster care, and perpetuates outdated and harmful misconceptions about gender. Instead, policies should prioritize the best interests of the child, follow evidence-based practices, and uphold the human rights and dignity of all people, regardless of gender identity or expression.