“Joey’s Bill”: An Interview with Joey McGlaughlin

By Emily Connelly

MaineTransNet’s volunteers and staff helped pass incredible legislation this year, including LD 535, affectionately known by the Policy team as “Joey’s bill,” officially named “An Act to Increase Access to Necessary Medical Care for Certain Minors.” This legislation makes it so 16 and 17 year olds can access gender affirming hormone therapy, without requiring parental involvement, provided that they can show they would be harmed by not receiving the therapy, and have received counseling. 

Joey McGlaughlin is a 17 year old from Washington County, and first joined MaineTransNet through its online youth programming in 2021. Then, he said: “I ended up getting connected with Quinn, and she offered me the policy internship, and I said yes!” Getting to be the policy intern was “a really great experience, and it’s been especially beneficial to my career and my own personal goals.”

As an intern, Joey helped with researching and coming up with ideas for possible ways MTN could craft laws to support the rights of transgender Mainers. One idea in particular helped launch LD 535. Joey explains, “Around the same time I joined youth programs, I started doing research and looked into what other states had, and what Maine had, for medical consent in terms of minors. I found something called the mature minor doctrine, in an article called ‘Overcoming the parental veto,’ and I looked into it and thought, is this possible in Maine? Why not! And that’s where the idea was born.”

Joey was involved in the research process, bouncing ideas back and forth and talking about who the bill should be drafted. Joey also was able to travel to the state house to testify in support of his bill. “Testifying was amazing! The entire process was exhilarating. It was a little bit nerve wracking with the timer, if I’m being completely honest. But it was so amazing, it made me feel really powerful - and like I mattered to the leaders of the state.” 

Joey’s testimony was indeed powerful, sharing his own experiences with needing to wait until an arbitrary deadline to receive critically important care. In his testimony, he stated “gender-affirming care is something everyone who needs it should have. Unfortunately, many do not. As of recently, I imagine we have all seen a lot of conversations happen in other states about how monumental numbers of kids will die by suicide if they don’t get the life-saving care they need, when they need it - especially if they have to wait until age 18. So, what about those who do have to wait until age 18 because their parents won’t sign for it?”

Joey said he got the news of the bill’s passing while at an appointment. “I had to go stand out in the hall and make some calls, and honestly, that was the moment I knew every minute of work had been worth it. It was incredible.” He’s thrilled that this legislation has passed now. “It’s so great, in a million ways that I cannot describe in words. I never thought this would happen! Honestly, I cannot believe it. Especially with the current political climate. It feels just really really good to have a win. Especially a win like this.”

When asked about his hope for the impact of this bill, Joey said, “I’m hoping for a reduction in suicide rates and depression among trans youth. It gives me a lot of peace to know that no teen will ever have to feel the pain of waiting again. Suffering through your teen years knowing what could have been, is a really hard burden to have. If this bill will prevent that for a lot of people, it would make me so happy to know that.” Joey went on to explain, “I have heard of teens from as far as Massachusetts talking about coming up here and receiving care from this bill, which is honestly so cool, and so amazing, to have reached that far.” The hope is, too, that others are inspired to ensure access to care for trans teens in their own states.

For any younger Mainers looking to be involved with MTN, Joey says to just jump in! “Send the email that’s been sitting in your drafts for a while, take that first step!” He encourages teens to try out MTN’s advocacy programs, and see what they offer for support and community — and where you might be inspired to dig in a little further. “I’m sure the policy team could always use more volunteers,” he said, “especially youth volunteers! Just getting connected is a great first step.”

For anyone looking to get involved with MTN, the website is a great resource for finding out more about how to join support groups, to volunteer, or learn more about internships. Joey’s internship was a great opportunity to learn more about government and policy — and helped prepare him for his planned degree in political science. 

Another great way to get involved is to make sure your voice is heard around issues important to you. Send Letters to the Editor to your local newspapers and write your state legislators about bills being debated that impact your life, or push your representatives in the Senate and Congress to put forth their own supportive bills. You can also submit written or spoken testimony about specific bills in the upcoming legislative sessions. Joey warns that the Maine State testimony submission process is a little complicated! If you need help, the Policy team at MTN is a great resource to help with writing convincingly and to get the attention of state leaders.

Here’s looking forward to a future full of teens getting the care they need, learning to advocate for themselves and others, and getting the guidance and support from their community at MTN and beyond.