Georgia bans most gender-affirming care for trans youth
28.03.2023 - 01:55
/ qvoicenews.com
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill into law that bans most gender-affirming care for transgender minors, making that state the latest to target trans youth in legislation. Photo: Office of Gov. Brian Kemp
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill into law that bans most gender-affirming care for transgender minors, making that state the latest to target trans youth in legislation.
Kemp, a Republican, signed Senate Bill 140 on Thursday, banning surgery and hormone treatment for people under 18 who want to use it for gender transition, while allowing the use of puberty blockers.
Youth using hormone therapy before July 1, when the law goes into effect, can stay on the treatment.
All the major medical groups say genital surgery is not recommended for minors, but the other treatments are appropriate.
Violating the law is punishable by revocation of a doctor’s license.
Kemp didn’t host a signing ceremony for the legislation. He made an announcement on Twitter.
Kemp said he supported the bill to save children. Many lawmakers around the county have used the same justification for legislation that targets trans minors and restricts families, parents, and their doctors from making personal medical decisions.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Carden Summers, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he was “tickled” that Kemp quickly signed the bill — It passed the legislature Tuesday.
Summers said SB 140 was not a “zero-tolerance” bill like other states had passed, but Democratic politicians and LGBTQ+ activists said it will hurt young people, and the American Civil Liberties Union’s Georgia chapter promised to sue.
Democrat state Sen. Josh McLaurin added: “Kids will commit suicide. Kids will feel like they’re not being