Today we’re talking about the wave of anti-trans legislation that lawmakers are pushing through at virtually all levels of government.

Over 500 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community have been introduced this year alone — that’s a record number. On the show today, independent journalist and trans rights activist Erin Reed breaks down the swath of legislation seeking to restrict the rights of trans people, what gender-affirming care actually means and the political and economic implications of these bills. Plus, what gives Reed hope for the future of the trans community in the United States.

In the News Fix: Guest host Amy Scott discusses the latest trends in the housing market, including what’s happening with home prices and new construction. Plus, new research looks at how ChatGPT impacts employee productivity. We’ll get into how creative industries might grapple with AI tools in the workplace.

Later, one listener shares how volunteering unexpectedly changed their life. Plus, a tip for cat lovers. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from Yanely Espinal, host of Marketplace’s new “Financially Inclined” podcast.

• • “Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures” from the American Civil Liberties Union

• • “2023 anti-trans bills” from Trans Legislation Tracker

• • “Missouri due to be first state to restrict adult gender-affirming care” from NPR

• • “Trans Adults Officially Being Detransitioned In Missouri: ‘I’m Scared And Don’t Know What To Do'” from Erin Reed’s Substack

• • “Anti-Trans and Anti-Abortion Activists Use the Same Playbook” from Intelligencer

• • “Majority of Americans reject anti-trans bills, but support for this restriction is rising” from PBS NewsHour

• • “Factors Leading to ‘Detransition’ Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Analysis” from LGBT Health

• • “Tennessee’s anti-drag law comes with economic costs” from Marketplace

• • “U.S. home prices rise for first time in 8 months, Case-Shiller says” from MarketWatch

• • “US New-Home Sales Unexpectedly Increase to a One-Year High” from Bloomberg

• • “Storytellers at a Los Angeles planetarium join the union representing Broadway actors” from NPR

• • “Office Overachievers Won’t Be Happy About ChatGPT, Study Says” from Gizmodo

Do you have an answer to the Make Me Smart question? We want to hear it. Leave us a voice message at 508-U-B-SMART, and your submission may be featured in a future episode.