It's already a record year for anti-2SLGBTQ bills in the U.S. Here are some of the rights rolling back

There's already been a bombardment of bills put forward in U.S. state legislatures so far this year affecting the rights of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people — and there are few signs of the onslaught easing up. 

Groups tracking such legislation have documented hundreds of bills affecting 2SLGBTQ people: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lists at least 474 bills on its tracking website, while the Trans Legislation Tracker has a tally of 541.

There are a range of restrictions affecting gender-affirming care for minors — even for adults in some cases — bathroom use, identification, drag performances and education. Dozens of these bills have already passed and been signed into law, though court challenges have prevented some from going into effect.

Wednesday is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, meant to honour the strength and resilience for 2SLGBTQ communities and the ongoing pursuit of equal rights worldwide. 

But this year it will be marked with a renewed fight for their rights as many U.S. legislatures roll back what advocates say is years of progress.

Here are some of the strictest and most controversial laws enacted across the U.S. so far this year.

Watch | States offering refuge from anti-transgender legislation:

Utah was the first state in 2023 to put a law on the books banning puberty-blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for transgender people under that age of 18. A total of 16 states have banned gender-affirming care for minors at this point in year.

Legislation hasn't just increased in number; in several states, some have increased in severity. 

In Alabama, Arkansas and Idaho, physicians and other gender-affirming care providers could be convicted of a felony for offering care to a minor, even though it's considered rare.

In Idaho, it could lead to a 10-year prison sentence. It's a similar punishment in Alabama, though the age limit is 19 in that state compared to 18 in most other states that passed such legislation. The penalty is up to 15 years in Arkansas. In Florida, gender-affirming care for youth is already banned but will soon be a criminal offence as well, once Gov. Ron DeSantis signs recently passed legislation into law. The state could also temporarily take custody away from a parent "in certain child custody enforcement proceedings" if a child "has been subjected to or is threatened with being subjected to sex reassignment prescriptions or procedures," the legislation reads.

Texas began conducting "child abuse" investigations into parents believed to be seeking gender-affirming care for their children last year, at the behest of the state's attorney general, until a court injunction halted such investigations last September. 

Efforts to put restrictions on gender-affirming care are not just limited to care provided to minors. Missouri lawmakers considered extending the age limit for gender-affirming care to anyone under 25. They have already passed legislation that would prevent such care being covered by Medicaid in the state.

The everyday rights of transgender and gender-diverse people are coming under threat as well, with laws that limit access to bathrooms.