http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisstatereformatory-allouez-s445.jpgProposed laws would assign transgender inmates to housing units based on their birth sex rather than their gender identity and could lead to increased sexual victimization, harassment and abuse.

MADISON - Two Republican legislators are circulating bills that would lead to increased abuse and harassment, and reduced safety for transgender inmates in Wisconsin prisons (LRB 2543 and LRB 4202/1).

The Transgender Parent and Non Binary Advocacy Caucus (TPNAC Caucus) strongly condemns this proposed legislation. Representative Melissa Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove), co-chair of the TPNAC Caucus, released the following statement:

“Assigning transgender inmates to housing units based on their birth sex rather than their gender identity leads to increased sexual victimization, harassment and abuse. It is inhumane, disrespectful, and counter-productive. Both the federal government and other states have taken positive steps to ensure that transgender, non-binary, and intersex people who are incarcerated are housed and searched in a manner consistent with their gender identity. It is disappointing that my Republican colleagues continue to search for ways to discriminate against and marginalize the transgender community without regard to the dangerous consequences of their actions.”

Co-Chair Representative Ryan Clancy (D–Milwaukee) released the following statement:

“It’s hard to know where to begin with this one. Republicans continue to attack members of our trans community in every venue they can think of. They started with sports and have now brought our already dehumanizing and complex carceral system into the fray. Trans women are women. The authors clearly lack either a basic understanding of science or empathy for members of our community who are already targeted, marginalized or both.”