As their public approval sinks lower and lower, the MAGA right is leaning harder and harder into policies of abject cruelty directed at vulnerable populations that have been turned into sacrificial scapegoats; that is especially true when it comes to immigrants and trans people. In the state of Kansas, for instance, Republicans just rammed through one of the most extreme anti-trans bills in the country. TRNN Editor-in-Chief speaks with journalist and LGBTQ+ policy analyst Erin Reed about how the new law is affecting trans Kansans and about the explosion of anti-trans policies around the country. 

Additional links/info: 

• Erin Reed website, Substack, Facebook page, Bluesky page, TikTok, and Instagram 
• Erin Reed, Substack, “Anti-Trans National Legal Risk Assessment Map: Feb 2026”
• Erin Reed, Substack, “"You outlaw it": Heritage Foundation President announces intent to outlaw all trans adult care”
• Sherman Smith & Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector, “Trans Kansans struggle with Legislature’s ‘cruelty’ as driver’s licenses are invalidated”
• Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector, “Trans men file lawsuit over Kansas law that restricts bathroom use and invalidates driver’s licenses”

Credits:

• Audio Post-Production: Alina Nehlich 

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