Write for what is Right
Welcome to Inkshed, the TransScribing LLC blog of Scarlett Nicholson. This is one of the places where I write. I want to be able to write stories and positive things that help individuals aspire to be the best version of themselves. I want to focus on the importance of mindset and its impact on daily life short and long term alike. I want to be able to share experiences and encouragement that people find motivating to live, break down barriers, and explore new horizons. I want to write about songs, albums, shows, films, books, performers, and artists that I am passionate about, why they touch me so deeply, and potentially infect readers with those same passions or inspire them to speak of their own passions. I want to help people find the beauty in the world that they may have to travel great distances to see and remind them that there are things of beauty right outside their window. However, I think it may be a while before I am able to enjoy writing what I want (like fiction, poetry, and nonfiction) as my pen is needed elsewhere.
In 2021, there were 82 bills introduced across the United States at the state level targeting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals; that is almost as many as were introduced the four years prior from 2017 through 2020. A year later, in 2022, it nearly doubled to 142 pieces of legislation introduced. From there, it skyrocketed to over 600 bills introduced in 2023 and again in 2024. 2025 didn’t see the assault slack off much either, with 575 bills introduced targeting trans folk. Keep in mind, the majority weren’t passed, but the lawmakers rework and rewrite them, then bring them back to the table as a new bill.
For perspective, in 2023, 77 bills became law and another 46 in 2024. Many of these laws ended up in court injunctions and under appeal (where several still are), while dozens were found unconstitutional. Regardless, one thing is clear; there is a coalition of legislators across the United States whose agenda is focused on harming the 1% of the population that is transgender rather than looking for ways to address issues that are felt commonly across the population of American society regardless of class, race, or gender.
As if the last three years hadn’t been bad enough, as of April 1st, 2026 there have been 747 bills introduced at the state level that directly impact transgender individuals if they are passed. On the Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31), Idaho Governor Brad Little signed Idaho House Bill 752 into law, banning transgenders from using bathrooms that align with their gender. Meanwhile, Ohio House Representative Josh Williams (whose Ohio House Bill 249, commonly referenced as the Ohio Drag Ban Bill, I testified in opposition of two weeks ago before it was fast-tracked on the House floor and passed the following week) introduced a similar bill in Ohio. At the same time, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vetoed five anti-LGBTQ bills proving not all politicians are out to get transgender, as there are many that are constantly standing up and fighting on the behalf of transgender, LGBTQ, women, and other minorities. I can’t let them fight alone.
As long as necessary, I will use this blog as a platform to call out any potentially discriminative legislation and I will encourage and teach people to raise their voice to their representatives and senators, and to their friends and family to do the same. I will not lay down and watch as legislators try stripping humanity away from the constituents they are supposed to be protecting. With any luck, I can squeeze some of the things I really want to write about along here and there along the way.