Arkansas
Arkansas bill targets ‘gender nonconforming’ haircuts for kids
Republican lawmakers in Arkansas have introduced a bill that would allow lawsuits against anyone who facilitates a minor’s social transition — including hairdressers and barbers who give gender-nonconforming haircuts, teachers who use a student’s chosen name that is different from their birth name and nonprofit organizations that offer support.
House Bill 1668, known as the “Vulnerable Youth Protection Act,” was introduced by Republican Rep. Mary Bentley and Sen. Alan Clark. If passed, the legislation would allow parents to sue anyone who supports a minor’s gender transition, with the statute of limitations lasting for 15 years.
The Context
Arkansas has been a leader in legislative efforts restricting transgender rights. In 2021, it became the first state to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors—a law that was struck down by a federal judge in 2023. Since then, more than two dozen states have enacted similar measures limiting medical care, sports participation and bathroom access for transgender individuals.
Nationally, transgender rights have become a flashpoint in the country’s culture wars. Some political analysts have suggested the backlash against these rights—embodied in the most viral ad of the presidential campaign—played a decisive role in Donald Trump’s victory.
What To Know
The Arkansas bill defines “social transitioning” as any act in which a minor adopts a gender identity different from their biological sex, including changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle and name. Under this definition, a barber, teacher or guidance counselor could face lawsuits for supporting a child’s gender identity.
It allows lawsuits to be filed up to 15 years after an incident, with damages ranging from $10,000 to $10 million in cases where a minor received gender-affirming care.
Critics argue the bill violates First Amendment rights and is designed to intimidate teachers, doctors, and even parents from supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming youth. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arkansas has condemned it as “state-mandated bullying.”
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Supporters claim the measure is necessary to prevent children from making irreversible decisions about their gender identity, while opponents see it as a direct attack on the rights of transgender youth and those who support them.
At a March 18 hearing, however, a representative from the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office acknowledged that parts of the bill may not withstand legal challenges due to restrictions on free speech.
“When you are criminalizing or, in this case, providing a civil cause of action for certain forms of speech, that has to pass a very, very high constitutional bar, and we have to be able to defend that in court,” the representative said.
What People Are Saying
Mary Bentley, Arkansas GOP State Representative, in a House Judiciary hearing: “This is about protecting children from being pushed into gender ideology. We need to ensure that kids are not being coerced into decisions they do not understand.”
The ACLU of Arkansas in a statement: “This bill seeks to deter life-saving healthcare through baseless lawsuits, forcing transgender youth into unsafe conditions.”
What Happens Next
The bill is still moving through the Arkansas legislature and is expected to face immediate legal challenges if it is passed into law. Civil rights groups, educators, and LGBTQ+ advocates say they will continue fighting the bill.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas softball will once again host an NCAA Regional, this time as the No. 5 overall national seed.
The Razorbacks (42-11) will be the top seed in Fayetteville and open the tournament against fourth-seeded Fordham (27-26) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Washington (36-18) is the two-seed and will face three-seed South Florida (42-15) that same day inside Bogle Park.
Arkansas is paired with the Durham Regional hosted by Duke (39-14) for a potential super regional. Arizona (35-16), Marshall (37-17) and Howard (28-17) are joining the Blue Devils in the regional.
This is the sixth consecutive season the Razorbacks will host a regional. It is also the program’s eighth straight NCAA Tournament berth under coach Courtney Deifel. Arkansas has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times, and more than half of those appearances have come under Deifel.
Arkansas ended the season No. 1 in the RPI despite finishing seventh in the SEC standings. The Hogs were eliminated by Alabama in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
Last year, Arkansas lost to SEC rival Ole Miss in the Super Regionals. The Hogs fell one win shy of reaching the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history. They are hoping to take that elusive next step this summer and book a trip to Oklahoma City in two weeks time.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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