Arkansas

Arkansas family tries to navigate wave of anti-trans legislation

Published

1 year ago

June 7, 2023

Arkansas family tries to navigate wave of anti-trans legislation

Missouri on Wednesday became the 20th state to pass a law aimed at limiting transgender rights, bringing the total number of anti-trans laws passed this year to 66. That number shattered the record of 20 similar laws passed across 12 states in 2022.

Arkansas was the first state to enact a ban on gender-affirming care for young people. One Little Rock family is now dealing with the fallout as they raise their transgender teenage son.

Lizz Garbett, an operating room nurse, said that things were tough before her son, Simon, transitioned a few years ago.

“We couldn’t figure out what was going on, and it was not a happy place,” she said. “After he transitioned, our home got calm again. Everybody felt like themselves and I’ve been able to watch him blossom to his true self. And I never saw that before.”

Simon, now 17, first transitioned socially — cutting his hair and changing his clothes. He has since legally changed his name and started hormone replacement therapy. He has also become an activist for the rights of trans youth.

He said the work is “nerve-racking” and gives him a lot of anxiety, but that he has to do it.

Trans Youth From Over 16 States Gather At The Nation's Capitol For The First Trans Youth Prom — Simon Garbett, 17, who hails from Little Rock, Arkansas, dances with his mom Lizz Garbett during the “Trans Youth Prom” on May 22, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Getty Images

Simon said seeing the wave of anti-trans legislation passed in the last few years has been “really hurtful.”

“The people making this legislation don’t know trans people and haven’t met trans people,” he said. “And to be frank, they don’t know what they’re talking about.”

A new survey from The Trevor Project showed that half of transgender and nonbinary young people seriously considered suicide in the past year.

Simon told CBS News that his transition has improved his mental health.

“Before, I was suicidal,” he said. “I was miserable. I didn’t take pictures of myself. I didn’t take pictures of my face.”

Arkansas’ ban on gender-affirming care for young people is currently on hold after a federal judge temporarily blocked it in 2021. But the state has passed eight more laws this year restricting transgender rights.

Republican state Representative Mary Bentley sponsored some of that legislation. She denied that the laws were a message to transgender youth and their families that they aren’t wanted in Arkansas.

“We care,” she said. “Gender-affirming care is not decreasing suicide. In fact, cross-sex hormones and those are increasing the stress that folks go through.”

But at least 30 national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have objected to legislative restrictions on gender-affirming care, some noting improved mental health and lower suicide rates after its application.

Simon — who plays the French horn and wants to go to law school — said it all comes down to one distinct feeling.

“Just hate is the obstacle,” he said. “Just hate.”

Lizz Garbett said that being trans is “just a tiny little piece of who [Simon] is. And he just wants to be allowed to live his real, authentic self.”

A desire that’s being made more difficult than ever.

Janet Shamlian

Janet Shamlian is a CBS News correspondent based in Houston, Texas. Shamlian’s reporting is featured on all CBS News broadcasts and platforms including “CBS Mornings,” the “CBS Evening News” and the CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News’ premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service.

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Arkansas

Hogs Add Another Major Playmaker to Talented 2026 Class

Published

6 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Hogs Add Another Major Playmaker to Talented 2026 Class

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Razorbacks received good news on the recruiting front with the addition of four-star wide receiver Dequane Prevo, he announced Sunday night on Instagram.

The 5-foot-10, 160 pound speedster committed to Arkansas over offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Oregon and many others. Prevo is the No. 292 ranked prospect in the class of 2026, No. 47 receiver and No. 40 player in the state of Texas.

He ran a 22-second 200-meter dash as a freshman at the football factory known as Liberty-Euylau in Texarkana, Texas. Prevo has shown to be a playmaker at wideout catching 62 passes for 1,355 yards and 20 touchdown receptions.

Arkansas’ current 2026 class is off to an exceptional start ranked in the top ten nationally with four 4-star prospects headlined by Durant, Oklahoma defensive end Colton Yarbrough. 4-star passer Jayvon Gilmore, 4-star safety Adam Auston and 4-star safety and two-time MaxPreps all-American Tay Lockett are also notable commitments for the cycle.

With the addition of Prevo, Arkansas’ 2026 class keeps the Razorbacks firmly in the top 10 of 247sports composite recruiting rankings for next year’s cycle. The Hogs’ 2023 class soared as high as No. 3 early on during the 2023 class but after a few evaluation periods its class ended up a respectable No. 22 including a No. 11 ranked transfer portal haul.

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Arkansas

How to Watch: Mizzou Basketball Hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Published

14 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

How to Watch: Mizzou Basketball Hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff

The Missouri Tigers have been rolling through their non-conference schedule. After a loss on the road to Memphis to open the season, Missouri has won the first four games of a 10-game stretch at home.

Sunday, Missouri will take on Arkansas Pine-Bluff in one of its final two matches before it faces another high major opponent: California in the second annual SEC-ACC challenge on Dec. 3.

Here’s how to watch and find Sunday afternoon’s matchup for the Missouri Tigers.

Who: Missouri Tigers (4-1, 0-0 SEC) vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff Golden Lions (1-5, 0-0 SWA)

What: Missouri’s sixth game of the 2024-’25 season

Where: Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

When: Sunday, November 24, 4:00 p.m.

TV: ESPN+, SECN+

Radio: Tiger Radio Network

Series: Missouri leads 3-0

Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2023: Missouri opened the season with a 101-79 win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Five different players scored over 15 points for Missouri, including Sean East II, Nick Honor, Noah Carter, Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates.

Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers handled business in a 91-56 win over Pacific. Guard Caleb Grill continued a hot streak, leading the team with 25 points, including 21 from three-point makes. Grill also notched a career-high with five steals.

Last Time Out, Arkansas Pine-Bluff:The Golden Lions fell on the road to Texas Tech, losing 98-64. Arkansas Pine-Bluff shot 52.1% from the field while Texas Tech shot 59.7%. The Golden Lions were led by guard Christian Moore with 20 points.

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Arkansas

Business people | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

23 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Business people | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Drew Waack has been appointed as mortgage adviser for United Federal Credit Union in Rogers. Waack is based at United’s Promenade branch, 2000 S. Promenade Blvd. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from John Brown University and an associate of arts and sciences degree from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Makyla Jackson has been hired by Kutak Rock LLP as an associate in the firm’s commercial litigation practice and will be working in the firm’s Fayetteville office. Jackson earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, and a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Kayla Sherrill has been hired by Kutak Rock LLP as an associate for the firm’s litigation practice and will be working in the firm’s Rogers office. Sherrill earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, and a bachelor of science from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Chelsey Deel has been hired as associate professor of pathology for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Deel earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and her medical degree at the University of Texas Heath Science Center at San Antonio.

Alexis Gillett has been hired as associate professor of anatomy for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Gillett received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, her doctorate of physical therapy from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and her doctor of education in educational leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Stephen Nix has been hired as assistant professor of pathology for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Nix received his bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

Trager Hintze has been hired as assistant professor of pharmacology for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Hintze received his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Southern Virginia University and his doctor of pharmacy from Idaho State University.

Briefs are for people in Northwest Arkansas who are new hires, were promoted, received an award from outside their organization or received a certification. Email: [email protected] Information must be received by noon Wednesday prior to the Sunday the item is to be published.

Hintze