#queerty

Lawmakers in Wisconsin are currently debating a piece of anti-trans legislation. Assembly Bill 104 (AB104) is a legislative proposal that aims to prohibit gender transition medical interventions for individuals under 18 years of age.

On Wednesday, the assembly’s Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Carelegislature hosted a hearing. Members of the public showed up to give testimony both for and against the bill.

ACLU Wisconsin says the event went on for over eight hours. Some people had to wait all afternoon to ensure they could voice their opinions.

A speech from one elderly man has now gone viral. ‘Larry’ says he turned up to support the legislation. He had to wait in the overflow room to have his moment to speak.

“First of all, I’d like to apologize to you people,” Larry says when he finally gets his chance to address lawmakers. “I was invited here to give my support for bill 104. I have a very little knowledge of gay people and things like that there. So when I came here, my eyes were opened. I was one of the critics that sat on the side and made the decision there was only two genders, so I got an education that was unbelievable.

“And I don’t know just exactly how to say this but my perspective for people have changed. So I don’t want to take up no more of your time. I’d like to apologize for being here and I learned a very lot about this group of people.”

As Larry gets up to leave, others in the room applaud him.

ACLU Wisconsin has shared the video on its social media channels.

“What a great man. The world needs more Larrys”

“This made me cry,” was one well-liked reply on TikTok. “He showed up. He listened. He learned. He changed his perspective. And then he spoke publicly. That is truly remarkable in this climate. Bravo Larry! I’d love to buy you a beer.”

Another said, “He could’ve just left. But he still chose to speak and publicly admit he had been ignorant on something and had since changed his mind. What a great man. The world needs more Larrys.”

On Instagram, someone else said, “Feeling so honored to have been able to witness his change of heart! This man sat in the overflow room for hours waiting their turn and got to witness beautiful and vulnerable testimony (as well as a lot of unhinged and illogical statements). We love to see growth!”

Someone else said, “There she is, that’s the America I remember.”

AB 104 is sponsored by 30 Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin. The state house has 54 GOP Reps against 45 Democratic. The upper house has 18 GOP senators against 15 Democrats.