Midterm elections in the USA: A little more rainbow

Americans didn't just vote blue in the midterms, but in rainbow colors: the election winners included numerous queer politicians. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire will be the Senate's first gay man, lesbian Rep. Sharice Davids will return to Congress, as will trans woman Sarah McBride. And these are just a few examples of the gender and sexual diversity of those elected.

However, the rights of queer people were only partially strengthened in the midterm elections. In addition to the congressional and Senate elections, referendums have taken place in various states. Among other things, those that concern the physical self-determination and other rights of queer people and women.

In Virigina, for example, people voted for same-sex marriage and a constitutional amendment, according to which a distinction will now be made between “sex” and “gender” – i.e. biological and social sex. But in addition to this social progress, voters primarily voted for restrictions on the rights of trans children.

In the states of Washington, Arizona, Nebraska and Colorado, the counts so far indicate that trans girls should be excluded from girls' school sports in the future. The supporters justify this with the alleged safety of girls. The ban already existed in Nebraska and is now to be enshrined in the constitution. In Washington, biological sex should not be proven through a birth certificate before physical education classes, but through a medical examination. A procedure that is highly controversial, and not just among medical professionals.

According to current figures, gender reassignment operations on minors will also be banned in Colorado. In addition, in the future, adult operations will no longer be allowed to be paid for using state or insurance funds. A similar request in Missouri was rejected.

There is a little progress in terms of women's physical self-determination. There were referendums on abortion rights in four states. As a result, three of them opted for a fundamental right to do so.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade in a historic decision in 2022, abortion rights have been a decision that rests with the individual states. As a result, more than twenty countries either banned abortions or made them extremely difficult. In states governed by Democrats, such as California and Michigan, the law was written into the state constitution.

In Nevada and Virginia, voters have now spoken out in favor of far-reaching liberalization. In Nevada, abortions will be legal until the fetus is capable of surviving outside the body of the woman giving birth - i.e. until approximately the 20th week of pregnancy. In Virigina, a fundamental right of reproductive freedom is to be enshrined. This means: The state is not allowed to refuse abortions; exceptions apply for the third trimester. In the last weeks of pregnancy, it may only be terminated if the mother's life is in danger.

In Missouri, a Republican proposal to allow abortions only up to the 12th week of pregnancy and only in cases of incest or rape was rejected. In Idaho, the choice was to legalize abortion until the fetus is viable and not punish medical professionals. 56 percent of voters voted against it.