health care and other lgbtq rights take center stage in many states. we're taking a look at some of the most pressing issues facing trans americans from different perspectives to bring you insight into some of the country's most complex issues. according to the human rights campaign which supports and advocates for lgbtq issues there have been a record number of bills against the trans community. as of may this year, more than 220 bills targeting transgender and non—binary people have been introduced in state legislatures. 15 laws banning gender affirming care for transgender youth have been enacted. 45 bills banning transgender students from playing school sports were introduced, and 30 bathroom bills that target transgender people were filed this year. the human rights campaign also reports 20 states have enacted bans on gender affirming care for minors. almost all of these states have republican—led

legislatures, and only two have democratic governors — arizona and kentucky. in both those states governors katie hobbs and andy beshear have attempted to counter trans health care bans by signing executive orders which carve out protections for minors within their state. in response to these bans, reliably liberal states such as california and new york have passed shield laws protecting access to transgender health care. but how many adults and youth identify as transgender in the us? according to the ucla school of law's williams institute, a research center on sexual orientation and gender identity law, there are about 1.3 million adults in the united states that identify as transgender. that's about 0.5% of the entire adult population, but about 1.4% of youth ages 13—17 identify as transgender — the largest amount of all the age groups. for more on this, i spoke to us navy admiral rachel levine about transgender rights.

she is the assistant secretary for health for the us department of health and human services, and the highest ranking openly transgender us government official. admiral, thank you very much forjoining us in our studios today. you were confirmed by the us senate in 2021. since then how have you worked with then how have you worked with the us department of health and human services to protect and further lgbtqia+ rights? fine human services to protect and further lgbtqia+ rights? one of the priorities _ further lgbtqia+ rights? one of the priorities for _ further lgbtqia+ rights? one of the priorities for the _ the priorities for the department of health and human services and our secretary is health equity and that includes health equity and that includes health equity and that includes health equity for many communities, communities of colour in the united states but also for the lgbtqia+ community and so we have been working on many different fronts for health equity and to address health equity and to address health disparities for our community. health disparities for our community-— health disparities for our communi .~ . ., ., community. what are some of those disparities _ community. what are some of those disparities and - community. what are some of those disparities and how- community. what are some of| those disparities and how have you tackled that?— you tackled that? there are a number of — you tackled that? there are a number of different _

you tackled that? there are a number of different health i number of different health disparities we see in the lgbtqia+ community, challenges in terms of cancer screening for lesbian women, issues in terms of potential cancers for 93v terms of potential cancers for gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, of course, ending the hiv epidemic is critical. 0ne course, ending the hiv epidemic is critical. one of the things we have been doing now is trying to respond to many of the attacks that our community has faced in a number of states across the country. we has faced in a number of states across the country.— across the country. we will talk about _ across the country. we will talk about that _ across the country. we will talk about that in - across the country. we will talk about that in a - across the country. we will| talk about that in a moment across the country. we will - talk about that in a moment but i want to ask you what would you think the bided administration can do on a federal level to continue to protect those rights? we are workin: protect those rights? we are working across _ protect those rights? we are working across the _ working across the administration under the leadership of president biden and vice president harris for the advocacy for trying to protect equality for the lgbtqia+ community. i have spoken with some members of the department ofjustice who have been waking a legal perspective on a number of these laws that have passed. i know the

department of education is looking in terms of title nine protections for lgbtqia+ students in schools and we have been doing the same day in terms of considering regulations to protect health equity for the community. 50. equity for the community. so, what of the — equity for the community. so, what of the issues _ equity for the community. so, what of the issues that has risen to the political stage has been cheddira affirming care, particularly in youth, and that is something you have written as well and at least 18 have passed laws full this. do you think state legislators are the right people to regulate this question?— this question? no, i don't. this is really _ this question? no, i don't. this is really an _ this question? no, i don't. this is really an issue - this question? no, i don't. this is really an issue for. this is really an issue for families so, for gender and non— binary youth to be addressing with medical and psychological professionals. for example, much of the agenda affirming care for youth is done by expert children's hospitals and paediatricians so this is an issue between a young person and their family

and their doctor and other medical professionals and i don't feel that it should be addressed in state legislation is governors. addressed in state legislation is governm— addressed in state legislation is governors— addressed in state legislation is governors. why has it risen to this political _ is governors. why has it risen to this political level? - is governors. why has it risen to this political level? there i to this political level? there are many — to this political level? there are many articles _ to this political level? there are many articles that - are many articles that highlight this as a strategy along big takes on washington for political and ideological purposes, that the lgbtqia+ community had made so much progress in the past, particularly about marriage equality, is that they are trying to use the issue of these vulnerable youth and their families and these vulnerable youth and theirfamilies and medical their families and medical providers theirfamilies and medical providers as a issues. d0 their families and medical providers as a issues. do you think there — providers as a issues. do you think there is _ providers as a issues. do you think there is space - providers as a issues. do you think there is space for - think there is space for questions about that kind of care and how that should be dealt with on a federal level? i think it should be in the medical community and the psychological community about how to address that. we are trying to educate for those

youth and their families at the federal level and there is been worked out at the justice department in terms of regulations. we are trying to get a regulation regarding the affordable care act that says that when you cannot discriminate on the basis of sex it includes sexual identity and so all our focus is sex it includes sexual identity and so all ourfocus is in terms of health equity. and so all our focus is in terms of health equity. imagine some of the _ terms of health equity. imagine some of the attacks _ terms of health equity. imagine some of the attacks at - terms of health equity. imagine some of the attacks at the - some of the attacks at the lgbtqia+ community is facing. what worries the most about what you are saying? we know that trans- _ what you are saying? we know that trans- youth _ what you are saying? we know that trans- youth have - what you are saying? we know that trans- youth have a - what you are saying? we know| that trans- youth have a higher that trans— youth have a higher rate of mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety and an increased rate of suicidal ideation and even attempts. there is nothing inherent with being transgender or being lgbt? that would predispose a young person towards those mental health challenges. it is the bullying. it is the discrimination and harassment those youth and

those families have that can predisposed towards both mental health challenges. these laws and actions be taken by states are exacerbating an already big challenge and so i want to make it really clear — gender affirming care is medical care. gender affirming care is mental healthcare. gender affirming care is literally suicide prevention care. it is a well—established part of medicine. it is done according to standards of care published by wpath, the world professional association for transgender health, with new guidelines in september of 2022, and it is being done by paediatricians and other paediatricians and other paediatric experts throughout the country at children's hospitals. the governments of the states should not get in the states should not get in the way between a young person and their family and the way between a young person and theirfamily and their doctor. they should not be involved in that. aha,

doctor. they should not be involved in that.— involved in that. a final question _ involved in that. a final question for _ involved in that. a final question for you - - involved in that. a final question for you - you | involved in that. a final. question for you - you are involved in that. a final- question for you - you are the question for you — you are the first opened trans woman to be conferred by the senate. how has your story informed your role? ~ ., , ,., has your story informed your role? . , ., has your story informed your role? ~ , ., ., role? well, i was so proud and honoured _ role? well, i was so proud and honoured to — role? well, i was so proud and honoured to be _ role? well, i was so proud and honoured to be the _ role? well, i was so proud and honoured to be the first - role? well, i was so proud and honoured to be the first and i role? well, i was so proud andi honoured to be the first and so my goal is i don't want to be the last, and so what i want to do in my public—health capacity is to really work for health equity for all communities add health equity including the lgbtqia+ community. thank you so much for— lgbtqia+ community. thank you so much forjoining _ lgbtqia+ community. thank you so much forjoining us _ lgbtqia+ community. thank you so much forjoining us on - lgbtqia+ community. thank you so much forjoining us on the - so much forjoining us on the show, admiral. the buy back my pleasure. it was great to be here. we just heard admiral levine talk a little bit about health care in the trans community. at least 30 leading professional medical associations have issued statements supporting care for transgender people and youth. but americans have mixed views on how to handle health care for transgender youth. according to a pew research center poll last year, about 46% of us adults would favour making it illegal for health care professionals to provide youth with gender transition care. when it comes to

requiring health care insurance companies to cover transition medical care, 44% of adults oppose doing that, while 27 percent of adults would favour covering this form of medical care. we heard admiral levine mention wpath, the world professional association for transgender health. for the medical perspective, i spoke earlier to the president of wpath, dr marci bowers, a gynaecologist and surgeon who specializes in gender affirmation surgeries. doctor bowers, great to have you on the programme. what are the steps to providing gender affirming care responsibly? irate affirming care responsibly? we all want affirming care responsibly? - all want what is best for our children and that means whether they are in childhood or adolescence or adulthood. they are still our children. and when a child presents as a gender diverse the important

thing is not tojudge gender diverse the important thing is not to judge and see where your child is at. fortunately most medical communities have professionals who are knowledgeable in the areas of gender diversity and they should assess a child, so obviously want to rule out things that can be confounding like mental health issues. you also want to be responsible and making sure the rest of their lives are in order. but gender affirming care refers to meeting the individual where they are, so whether that is with pronouns even, just a simple matter of respect is really all that is required. and then letting the individual explore their feelings.- explore their feelings. doctor bowers, explore their feelings. doctor bowers. if — explore their feelings. doctor bowers. if i — explore their feelings. doctor bowers, ifi could _ explore their feelings. doctor bowers, if i could jump - explore their feelings. doctor bowers, if i couldjump in - explore their feelings. doctor bowers, ifi couldjump in - l bowers, if i could jump in — want ask about what acts to gender affirming care that got a lot of coverage. there is

talk about puberty blockers with young children. what considerations do you think parents orfamilies considerations do you think parents or families should take before deciding for the child to take them?— to take them? well, i think sometimes _ to take them? well, i think sometimes - _ to take them? well, i think sometimes - and _ to take them? well, i think sometimes - and this - to take them? well, i think sometimes - and this may| to take them? well, i think. sometimes - and this may be to take them? well, i think- sometimes - and this may be a sometimes — and this may be a problem with the medical community to — is that sometimes parents feel under pressure that puberty is that this cliff that their child might be going off, let's say, if they are presenting early enough where the onset of puberty would be an issue and the important thing is itjust to take time. this is not a race. this is not a rush. it does not necessarily mean waiting until adulthood or whatever, bills that limit options for children during adolescence are not going to harm —— are going to harm, not help children and families. you to support _ help children and families. you to support the _ help children and families. you

to support the use _ help children and families. you to support the use of puberty blockers in certain cases? every case is individual and thatis every case is individual and that is an important component to the standard of care. wpath has laid out guidelines by which an individual is evaluated and mental health professionals and paediatric endocrinologist, we all follow these guidelines so they need to be individualised and there is not a rush to doing blockers. there is not a rush or doing hormones. but puberty blockers offer a unique opportunity to delay puberty in a way that gender could be further explored. so, they are not — and they are reversible. i want to ask you a question because you are the first woman to have a transgender history

while performing a transgender surgery. how does that impact you before, during and after a procedure? it you before, during and after a procedure?— procedure? it allows me to relate well _ procedure? it allows me to relate well and _ procedure? it allows me to relate well and to - procedure? it allows me to relate well and to hold - procedure? it allows me to| relate well and to hold also procedure? it allows me to l relate well and to hold also a credibility. i know what it was like to be a gender diverse child, adolescent and an adult. i read my day i had to wait until adulthood, i read my day i had to wait untiladulthood, but i read my day i had to wait until adulthood, but had i had the opportunities and the support, i am quite sure i would have pursued things much earlier. ., ., ., earlier. you to some of the beds that _ earlier. you to some of the beds that we _ earlier. you to some of the beds that we are _ earlier. you to some of the beds that we are seeing . earlier. you to some of the beds that we are seeing in | earlier. you to some of the - beds that we are seeing in some states for gender affirming care. what do you think the consequences are going to be for young people in those estates?— for young people in those estates? ~ ., ., ., estates? we are in a mental health crisis _ estates? we are in a mental health crisis anyway - estates? we are in a mental health crisis anyway for - health crisis anyway for adolescence and these bills, make no mistake, they are not designed to protect children. these are cruel. this is legislated cruelty. and it is

meant to delight these children access to care and basically punish them for expressing gender diverse feelings. so, it has been a real devastating blow to the more than 50,000 children in states where these bands have already been enacted and families are scrambling for what to do. these are families that what the best for their children. they are not trying to pull the child along. they are just trying to seek medical care. fist are just trying to seek medical care. �* are just trying to seek medical care. ~ ., , care. at the same time as we are seeing — care. at the same time as we are seeing this _ care. at the same time as we are seeing this movement, i care. at the same time as we - are seeing this movement, there was a report released by the williams institute sewing that the number of young people who identify as transgender has nearly doubled in recent years. why do you think we're seeing that phenomenon? there are many that question now, that they somehow believe media or social circles, or social media for extending this, but really, these are

real numbers and it's a fact that the world is diverse. genitalia are diverse, in their formation, and there are many examples where genitalia actually are neither male nor female, so the diverse numbers of inputs that go into generate entity, that is the maleness and femaleness that one feels internally, of course there will be diversity, so at this point in history, we are realising that there are a number of people who do feel differently than their assigned gender at birth. it's nothing to be scared of. there is still to be scared of. there is still to be scared of. there is still to be male and female, most people are going to be at the extremes of the binary, but this generation is showing us that there is a larger number than we thought that actually lies somewhere in between that fits with other measures in

nature. . , , nature. really interesting conversation, _ nature. really interesting conversation, thank - nature. really interesting conversation, thank you | nature. really interesting. conversation, thank you so nature. really interesting - conversation, thank you so much forjoining us. conversation, thank you so much forjoining us— forjoining us. thank you for havin: forjoining us. thank you for having me. _ forjoining us. thank you for having me, thank _ forjoining us. thank you for having me, thank you - forjoining us. thank you for having me, thank you for i forjoining us. thank you for - having me, thank you for taking on this challenge. meanwhile, laws focusing on trans youth athletes have also made headlines across the us. back in april, us house republicans voted to prohibit transgender student athletes from competitng on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. the legislation would put violators at risk of losing taxpayer dollars. supporters say it is necessary to ensure competitive fairness and support female athletes disadvantaged by having to compete against those whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth. the legislation is not expected to be pass the democratic—controlled senate, and would not make to president biden's desk to sign into law. we have seen more than a dozen states ban transgender states ban tra nsgender athletes, states ban transgender athletes, and one of the states had legislation enacted in that

—— enacted in that bill in march. live now to republican state senator wendy schuler, who introduced a bill banning transgender women and girls from female—desginated high school sports in wyoming. that bill passed in march.2. thanks forjoining us this evening. why was it important to you to ensure that transgender women and girls don't compete in female sports in high school? the don't compete in female sports in high school?— in high school? the real reason is personal— in high school? the real reason is personal to _ in high school? the real reason is personalto me, _ in high school? the real reason is personal to me, to _ in high school? the real reason is personal to me, to some - is personal to me, to some degree. i was one of those female athletes that was born onto the side loads and i have to watch my brothers, cousins, all of the males in my life compete and i didn't have that opportunity, because there wasn't anything for the girls, so finally when i was in couege so finally when i was in college the bill was passed and i was able to compete for the university of wyoming in a number of sports, it was like the whole world opened up for me, and from that point on, after i graduated i went into coaching as well as teaching

and i coached both females and males, and ifelt like it was probably the greatest legislation as females that we could have had pastored our country, it provided us a level playing field, giving us the same opportunity as the man, it was amazing, so i have always been an advocate, i taught for many years in coast for many years for girls, and it was great for them to have their own opportunities, so that was really my personal reason. what really my personal reason. what is the specific _ really my personal reason. what is the specific challenge - really my personal reason. what is the specific challenge that you saw that transgender women and girls would bring to that achievement as he described it? when i had constituents reach out to be about it, they felt like they have gone to other states are completed, and we saw examples on our own state of both middle school and high school level where some of our

female athletes were being left off the podium and left back at the starting date because we had some transgender athletes that were taking their place, and so that was the bottom line, they reached out to me. i would ask you about what your governor has said, mark gordon, a republican, he let the bill go into effect without signing it and he wrote the following, said why i support and agree with the overall goal of fairness and competitive female sports, i am concerned the band included in this legislation is overly draconian, discriminatory without attention to individual circumstances or mitigating factors and pays little attention to fundamental principles of equality. are you worried about the impact of this legislation on transgender women and girls? i this legislation on transgender women and girls?— women and girls? i certainly disauree women and girls? i certainly disagree with _ women and girls? i certainly disagree with our— women and girls? i certainly disagree with our governor l women and girls? i certainly i disagree with our governor and i have the greatest respect for him but i don't think this is draconian because my bill, i have a section in there that if

we are if this lawsuit comes forward as a result of our bell, we have a party or a fallback plan which basically says we will have a 5—member commission appointed by the association that will determine an individual basis who can compete in her card based on a variety of different issues. 5 variety of different issues. 's bill variety of different issues. '5 bill has drawn criticism, not only in wyoming but also beyond the. how do you feel about the criticism?— criticism? honestly, when you are a politician, _ criticism? honestly, when you are a politician, just _ criticism? honestly, when you are a politician, just like - are a politician, just like when i was occurrence, you get thicker skin. when i was occurrence, you get thickerskin. ifelt like when i was occurrence, you get thicker skin. i felt like i when i was occurrence, you get thicker skin. ifelt like i was doing the best thing i could for our biological girls and i will stand by that, i will advocate for them from now until the end of time, and it's nothing, i mean big, i have never coached a trans— athlete but i would treat that the same as they would any other athlete. ijust think it's a fairness and equity issue. we have one athlete, i give you one example, a trans— athlete

that broke the state track record, and that record was held by a girl from my high school and ifeel very held by a girl from my high school and i feel very strongly about that, i don't think that's fair, she's quite a bit larger, there are all those biological things that just takes the fairness and equity away. takes the fairness and equity awa . ., takes the fairness and equity awa. ., , ., away. you spoke about title known earlier _ away. you spoke about title known earlier in _ away. you spoke about title known earlier in the - away. you spoke about title known earlier in the bladed| known earlier in the bladed administration has proposed a rule change under title know that would prohibit schools from banning transgender athletes from competing teams consistent with the generate entities, and the remainder, title node states no person in the us shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of all be subjected to discrimination under any education programme or activity receiving federalfinancial assistance. are you worried your legislation might be ruled unconstitutional? i your legislation might be ruled unconstitutional?— unconstitutional? i don't think so, we unconstitutional? i don't think so. we had — unconstitutional? i don't think so. we had a _ unconstitutional? i don't think so, we had a number- unconstitutional? i don't think so, we had a number of- unconstitutional? i don't think| so, we had a number of people that weighed in on it, that

basically put the bill together and i look at what other states were doing and what might work betterfor us in the were doing and what might work better for us in the fallback plan i had takes care of the issues of people saying it's just an all—out band, there is nothing else for those trans— athlete. there really is. we have this fallback plan and i think that takes into account individual differences because you may have an athlete that is an individual sport that may not have an unfair advantage, where you may have an athlete in a team sport when there is a safety issue, and obviously there are some things in our bill for that.— bill for that. final question, what is your _ bill for that. final question, what is your message - bill for that. final question, what is your message to - bill for that. final question, - what is your message to trans- what is your message to trans— use, trans— athletes might targeted by this legislation? honestly, ifeel for targeted by this legislation? honestly, i feel for them, as targeted by this legislation? honestly, ifeel for them, as a former educator, i tried to respect every student and treated the same. i know there has to be a place for them, i had people ask me this during the year would be working the

bell, where could they compete? maybe they could have their own lead, their own area for them to compete and i'm not sure what the answer is but i want them to feel like they are respected and understand in my estimation that this bill is strictly about fairness and having a level playing field and there has to be something for them, and there has to be something forthem, i'mjust and there has to be something for them, i'm just not sure what the answer is. b, for them, i'm just not sure what the answer is.- what the answer is. a very interesting _ what the answer is. a very interesting conversation, l what the answer is. a very - interesting conversation, state senator wendy schuyler, great to have you with the programme today to. —— tonight. earlier on friday, the us supreme court ruled that the constitutional right to free speech allows certain businesses to refuse to provide services for same—sex weddings. the court ruling in favor of a web designer who cited her christian beliefs in challenging a colorado anti—discrimination law. presidentjoe biden in statement said he was worried the decision

could "invite more discrimination against lgbtq plus americans." earlier this month president joe biden hosted the largest pride celebration in pride celebration in white house history. white house history. more than 1,500 guests picnicked on the white house south lawn as biden called for new measures to protect the civil rights and safety of lgbtq plus americans. he also urged congress to pass the "equality act" that would amend the 1964 civil rights act to include proections for sexual orientation and gender idenity, alongside race, religion, sex and national origin.biden made clear that his adminstration stands with the lgbtq plus community. the us vice president kamala harris made a surprise visit to the stonewall inn a day after new york's governor signed a bill to protect transgender youth. harris�*s visit marked the first by a sitting vice president to the iconic landmark. the stonewall inn was the site of thejune 1969 riots largely credit as a turning point in the modern gay rights movement. harris also echoed the administration's support for the lgbtq community, saying

during the event "we are fighting for the ideals of our country. we believe in its promise of equality and freedom. we are not going to be deterred, we're not going to tire. we're not going to throw up our hands — we're going to roll up our sleeves. thank you for watching a special show. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. after what we had on friday it's hard to believe that this tune could be the warmest on record. across north yorkshire temperatures were around 60 degrees in afternoon, some other parts were colder still. we will find more sunshine over the weekend the start ofjuly in this clearest light with the thicker lower cloud moving away, taking the rain away as well, we will be left with a north—south split with sunnier, warmer weather in the south, the shower was continuing further north and we will have stronger winds as well. it could be a cloudy start to many but we will see the showers in

the midlands, the southeast moving away, sunny skies developing in the south but sunshine and showers will continue in northern ireland, scotland, frequent showers in the north and west of scotland where it will be quite windy, it may feel rather chilly but it may feel rather chilly but it it will feel like 18 degrees, 23 or 2a in the southeast, some of it warmer thanit southeast, some of it warmer than it was on friday. for the cricketers, they could be want showers left over for the start of play otherwise it looks like it will be a dry, with some sunshine, a bit breezy out there, mind you, and the winds are coming back all the way from iceland and greenland so it will never be particularly warm and that low pressure setting close to scotland will keep it windy and wet in the far north of the mainland. more showers to come on sunday across other parts of scotland, the odd one continuing in northern ireland and england but and the midlands, it should be a dry day, plenty of sunshine here. the winds may not be quite a strong on the sunday but if anything, those temperatures could actually be

a a degree also lower. heading into the beginning of the new week and that low pressure heading towards scandinavia keeps windy weather going across scotland, that weather front continuing to feed rain into northern scotland, more showers coming into the rest of the country and while england and wales may start dry, we could see some salary rain moving in from the west and that could arrive later on in the day for the start of wimbledon where temperatures will be around 21 degrees, so not a particularly warm start to the week ahead. it will take a while for the temperatures to rise and it is still unsettled over the week ahead with showers and longer spells of rain particularly in the north and the west.

iam i am julia with the catch up. tonight, a drop on abidin's plan, dietary concerns and chances to work down under. but first, tiktok vowed to take down videos that tonight climate change although it appeared they could be struggling. guidelines say anything that undermines struggling. guidelines say anything that undermines well—established scientific well—established scientific consensus would be bad from the consensus would be bad from the platform but the bbc flag loads platform but the bbc flag loads of videos doing just that and of videos doing just that and after a day almost 95% were after a day almost 95% were still up, getting millions of still up, getting millions of

years. tiktok says it years. tiktok says it is working to combat misinformation but some creators have warned of