Gov. Dan McKee signs three bills into law for LGBTQ+ community

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Dan McKee wrapped up Pride Month with a bang, signing bills relating to name changes and codifying gender-affirming care into law.

The three bills were signed into law on Thursday at Thundermist Health Center in Woonsocket.

One outlines the process for changing your name, the second focuses on removing barriers to obtain HIV medication, and the last creates a legal shield for healthcare providers to give care to the trans community and people in need of reproductive health.

“The PrEP bill, it’s really the first in the country to remove that barrier of cost to get access to PrEP. It’s a total game changer for eradicating HIV. The name change bill is going to make people just – so much more accessible to change their name.” Polly Crozier, the Director of Family Advocacy at GLAD told ABC 6.

“And the shield bill sends a powerful message that Rhode Island really stands for patients, for providers, for protecting our healthcare system.” Crozier continued.

Each of the bills could have massive impacts on making life a little easier for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“The name change bill is so significant especially for our patients who we help through the process of legal name change. And they encounter barriers at multiple steps from the publication requirement that is now no longer in effect to the expense of it.” said Ryan Fontaine, the Trans Health Education and Policy Specialist at Thundermist.

“It is really, really great to see that our legislature and our governor has come together so quickly to make this happen.” said Fontaine.

All of this comes as other states continue to clamp down on reproductive freedoms and support for gender-affirming care.

Bills across the country, including one in Wyoming set to go into place on July 1st.

“In recent years across the country we have seen vitriol and hate, especially targeted towards the trans community, and attacks right here at home. But here in Rhode Island we are showing that we reject this by passing this bill here.” said Rep. Tiara Mack of District 6.

Each of these bills go into effect as of signing, doubling down on Rhode Island’s commitment to the queer community.