Legislators talk about LGBTQ+ issues in the new session

Local legislators met with constituents at Camp Rehoboth Jan. 16, sharing their thoughts on upcoming legislative issues facing the community.

Women’s reproductive rights, transgender protections and long-term care were top issues raised.

Although abortion is legal in Delaware, Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach, said a constitutional amendment would offer more protection for the procedure.

“We could do more by getting a constitutional amendment passed,” she said. “That would further protect our rights if the control flips to the other party.”

Other laws allow nurse practitioners and other licensed healthcare professionals to administer medicine for an abortion, and cover abortion by Medicaid.

On long-term aging, Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, said he’s looking into legislation that would provide protections for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

“We’re going to draft a bill,” he said. “There’s certainly attention that needs to be brought into long-term care, and it’s getting more focus now than it has before.”

On the possibility of federal cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration, Snyder-Hall said she believes Trump’s agenda is too ambitious and will be difficult to enact.

“They can’t do everything all at the same time. They’re going to have capacity problems. There's a lack of money, there’s a bureaucratic culture where people are used to going at a certain pace that [the administration] is not going to be able to overturn,” she said. “We’re facing a serious problem, but one thing we need to do in Delaware is slow them down.”

On transgender rights, Huxtable said there is a bill in the works that would protect providers of gender-affirming care the same way that abortion providers are protected.

Huxtable said the reality of politics at Legislative Hall is much different than what is portrayed on the federal level. He said he is able to work with Republicans across the aisle, even if they disagree on some issues.

“Don’t lose hope. Sometimes the best thing for you to do for your mental health is turn off that opinion news channel that you’re listening to because their goal is to amp you up, to make you feel crazy and that the world is coming to an end,” he said.