A political spectacle at the expense of trans lives in Wyoming

The Wyoming Legislature convenes on Feb. 9

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Wyoming has long been proud of its rugged individualism, small-government conservatism and our ethos of live and let live. But in recent years, particularly for transgender residents like myself, that image has begun to feel like a cruel illusion. The state where I once felt safe, bought my first home and coached the youth of our community, has now become a place unrecognizable to me. What has caused this seismic shift? A legislature that has turned itself into a spectacle, ignoring real issues that affect everyday Wyomingites in favor of culture-war nonsense.

For years, the Wyoming Legislature has targeted trans people under the guise of “protecting” women in public spaces, ensuring fairness in sports, and safeguarding free speech. This session that sentiment is on steroids. 

The larger issue at hand is the cruelty behind these anti-trans bills, not to mention the sheer volume. These measures are not about policy — they are about ensuring that transgender people, especially transgender women, do not have the right to exist in public spaces. The message is clear: Our humanity is up for debate, and our visibility is something to be legislated out of existence.

For example, House Bill 72, “Protecting Women’s Privacy in Public Spaces Act,” is the epitome of a direct attack on trans women, forcing us into men’s restrooms, prisons and locker rooms — jeopardizing our safety and dignity. The intent is clear: You don’t belong, you can’t exist, and your authenticity isn’t welcome.

But I am not just a headline or a statistic. I am a person with deep roots in Wyoming that stretch across the state. I was born in Rock Springs, grew up on the south side of Rawlins, attended high school in Douglas and then graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

It feels so wrong to be told I don’t belong here when my roots in Wyoming run so deep. My connection to this place isn’t just about where I live — it’s about the memories that shaped me. I think of my Grandma Juanita making coffee over a campfire as the sun rose over the Medicine Bow Mountains, filling the crisp morning air with warmth and the scent of home. Moments like those anchor me here. No matter what anyone says, I know in my soul that I am a daughter of Wyoming.

At Wyoming Equality, my colleagues joke that I’m a grumpy old Republican man because of how I coach — no bellyaching, no excuses, and I expect respect and personal responsibility. My boss says I should be sitting in a coffee shop, grumbling about “kids these days.” But that’s how I was raised — to be tough, resilient and hold myself to high standards. I carry those values into everything I do. As the first person in my family to go to college, I wanted to set an example for my four younger siblings, showing them that we can rise above expectations and build something bigger for ourselves.

Growing up with a single mother, I learned what it means to be a Wyoming woman. I was taught to work hard, provide for those I love, contribute to my community and hold my family close. I’ve laughed and cried with them, celebrating our victories and holding each other up through our hardest moments. That bond is unshakable, just like my love for this state.

Some of my best memories are with the friends I made in elementary school in Rawlins. We’ve driven thousands of miles on Wyoming highways, belting out terrible covers of Whitney Houston songs at the top of our lungs. No matter where life takes us, those moments — of joy, freedom and deep connection — will always be a part of who I am.

When asked if I felt safe stopping for gas in Chugwater or to have a meal at a roadside diner someplace between Cheyenne and Rock Springs, I’ve always responded “Of course, this is my home.” 

I don’t say that anymore. The Freedom Caucus has whipped up a frenzy of misinformation against people who look like me. They’ve painted us as predators, and you know what we do to predators in Wyoming. They’ve loaded the gun and I have to wonder when it will go off. Who will it hit?

I’m just like you, neighbor. My life is full and meaningful, and yet, lawmakers insist on reducing it to a political talking point. 

Instead of focusing on real, pressing issues like the economy, education and health care access, legislators are flooding the docket with redundant, performative measures meant to attack the LGBTQ+ community. 

It’s all the same song and dance, repackaged under different bill numbers and catch titles to give the illusion of productivity and used as a mechanism to secure their next election rather than actually helping Wyomingites.

These politicians are wasting taxpayer money. 

There is a massive cost paid by you, the taxpayer — every proposed bill costs a minimum of $14,000. Every hour spent repeatedly debating the same discriminatory policies is an hour not spent addressing Wyoming’s teacher shortages, lack of reproductive health care access or our struggling economy. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus — who claim to champion limited government — had no problem demanding a costly special session last year when they didn’t get the legislative outcome they wanted. Their idea of “limited government” seems to end at controlling people’s bodies, reducing personal freedom to the knowledge of a person’s genitals. Their hypocrisy is staggering.

Beyond the financial waste, the harm these bills cause to real people cannot be overstated. Transgender individuals in Wyoming, especially young people, are watching their government treat them as political pawns. They see their identities debated as if they are theoretical and their rights bargained away for votes. The message from our lawmakers is clear: If you’re trans in Wyoming, your life, dignity and existence are up for debate.

I have spent my whole life advocating for Wyoming’s LGBTQ+ community, testifying against these bills, and speaking out against the dangerous rhetoric that fuels them. 

But each session, it becomes harder to watch the place I love become less like home. Many trans people I know have already left, seeking safety in places where they are not vilified by their own representatives. I have stayed because I believe in Wyoming and the values it once stood for. But the question remains — will our legislators ever return to focusing on the real needs of the state, or will they continue this taxpayer-funded sideshow at the expense of our most vulnerable communities?

We cannot sit idly by while lawmakers attempt to reshape it into something unrecognizable. Now is the time to get involved — pay attention to the bills being introduced, attend legislative sessions and speak up for the values that truly define both you and me as Wyomingites. Tell your stories to your legislators, share a meal with those you may not always agree with and use your voice and your vote to reclaim Wyoming’s spirit of fairness and freedom. Together, we can ensure that our state remains a place where everyone — regardless of gender identity — has the right to live, work and thrive in peace.