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When Harm Moves Early, So Must We!
- Carol Tappenden
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
As we head into Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, it’s worth remembering that the struggles King named were not only about visible injustice. They were about systems that exhaust people through delay, bureaucracy, and the steady normalization of harm. That dynamic is very much at play right now.
This has been a hard week for the trans community. Not because of a single decision, but because pressure is coming from multiple directions at once: legislatures, courts, school boards, and public narratives that frame exclusion as inevitable. When harm moves this way, it is meant to wear people down.
Our role is to slow that momentum, make sense of what’s happening, and act early.
Below is what moved this week, why it matters, and how to engage.
🏛️ Federal Policy Watch
Supreme Court Hears Cases on Student Athletes
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in cases challenging state laws that bar transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. The cases focus on whether these bans violate federal civil rights protections, including Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
At issue is not just athletics, but whether states can single out transgender students for exclusion in public education. While the cases center on sports participation, the Court’s reasoning could influence how broadly states are allowed to regulate or restrict transgender students’ access to school programs and protections.
No ruling has been issued.
What happens next:
The Court will consider the arguments over the coming months
A decision is expected later this year, most likely in late spring or early summer
Until then, lower court rulings and state laws remain in effect, and legal uncertainty continues
Why this matters now:
Even without a decision, Supreme Court arguments shape behavior. Legislators are introducing bills based on anticipated outcomes. School districts are adjusting policies out of fear of future liability. Trans students are already experiencing the impact of that uncertainty.
It is important to be clear: the law is not settled, and no new nationwide rule has been issued.
📰 Read more:
🌵 Arizona Legislative Update
Legislative Session: Week 1
The Arizona legislative session is just underway, and lawmakers have already introduced several bills that would significantly impact LGBTQ+ students, families, and access to care. Early weeks matter. This is when narratives are formed, sponsors test support, and pressure can still change outcomes.
🔴 HB 2600 — Parental Permission for Student Clubs
HB 2600 would require written parental permission for students in grades 6–8 to participate in any school club or organization.
While written broadly, this type of requirement is most often used to restrict access to Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs. GSAs are proven supports that reduce bullying and improve student safety. Requiring parental permission disproportionately harms students who are not safe being out at home, increasing isolation rather than protection.
🔴 HCR 2003 — Sports Ban Ballot Referral
HCR 2003 would expand Arizona’s existing ban on trans girls participating in school sports and send it directly to voters. Arizona already bans trans girls from school sports. This proposal escalates that exclusion and locks it in through a ballot measure.
Because this is a ballot referral, the Governor cannot veto it.
Key concerns:
Arizona already excludes trans girls; this entrenches that harm
Ballot measures strip nuance from complex issues
Once passed, these measures are extremely difficult to undo
🟢 HB 2217 — Expanding Civil Rights Protections
HB 2217 would explicitly include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in Arizona’s civil rights laws. At a moment when other bills seek to narrow protections, this bill moves in the opposite direction.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Show up early. Early pressure changes outcomes.
📝 Request to Speak (RTS)
Arizona’s RTS system allows community members to register opposition and submit comments that become part of the official legislative record.
Log into or activate your RTS account
Register opposition to SB 1586 and HCR 2003
Leave a brief comment in your own words
You do not need perfect language. Clear opposition matters.
🏫 School Board and District Updates
Paradise Valley Unified School District
Previously, we report on a Paradise Valley Unified School District music teacher who was publicly targeted after students heard “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan during a music class. According to reporting, a conservative group objected to the song’s lyrics and contacted the district, framing the incident as inappropriate for school.
The issue was again raised during public comment at Thursday night’s Paradise Valley Unified governing board meeting. Multiple speakers criticized the teacher and the district calling for the teacher's dismissal. The matter was not listed as an action item, and the board did not vote on or formally discuss any disciplinary action related to the incident.
This kind of targeting creates fear, chills inclusive teaching, and ultimately harms students. Just Schools stands with educators who are doing their jobs with care and integrity. Schools should be places where teachers are supported, not subjected to intimidation campaigns that turn public comment into a tool for harassment.
We are monitoring closely and will keep the community informed if this appears on a future agenda or escalates.
📰 Read more and watch:
🗳️ Weekly Civic Power Series
Part 8: What to Do After a Policy Passes (and Why the Fight Isn't Over)
When a harmful policy passes, it can feel like the moment for action has ended. That reaction is understandable — and it’s exactly what these policies rely on.
But passage doesn’t end the fight. It changes it.
Most harm happens after a vote, through interpretation, over-enforcement, and fear-based decisions made quietly. That’s where community pressure still matters.
After a policy passes, power shows up by:
Pressing for the narrowest possible interpretation
Watching how districts and agencies implement the policy
Documenting harm and inconsistencies early
Supporting students and educators navigating the fallout
Bottom line: A policy passing doesn’t mean the damage is inevitable. Staying engaged after the vote is often how the worst impacts are prevented.
Next Week - Part 9:
When the Work Feels Endless, Remember What You're Actually Building
🧾 Discrimination & Harassment Complaint Form
Queer students continue to face discrimination, slurs, and harassment from peers and even faculty. Documenting these incidents matters. Each report ensures state officials can’t ignore the problem. Bullying and discrimination harm students’ education, mental health, and safety.
Stand With Students
Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen at school. Your involvement, whether as a Hall Monitor, volunteer, or donor – keeps that promise alive. Get involved today!
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