Oklahoma Governor Bans Gender Surgeries for Minors
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed SB 613 into law, making it illegal for healthcare workers to provide minors with gender surgery, hormone therapies, puberty-blocking drugs, or any medications or surgical procedures for the purpose of gender transition. It is now a felony for healthcare workers to provide such procedures, and violators can face legal action from a parent or guardian. Governor Stitt has said he is proud to stand up for what’s right and protect children from potentially life-altering transition surgeries.
“Last year, I called for a statewide ban on all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors so I am thrilled to sign this into law today and protect our kids,” adding, “We cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening across our nation, and as governor, I am proud to stand up for what’s right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma.”
According to Fox News, multiple other states including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and Utah, have passed laws restricting or banning gender surgery for minors. Florida, Missouri, and Texas have also taken similar measures via regulations or administrative orders, and may not be far behind.
Legal Challenges and Debates
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma and other civil liberty organizations have promised to take legal action to prevent the Oklahoma law from being enacted. Transgender rights activists argue that denying minors treatment is a form of “genocide,” while Republican-led states argue that children under 18 are not mature enough to make life-altering decisions, just as they are not mature enough to purchase alcohol or cigarettes.
Meanwhile, ongoing litigation has blocked the enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas, and nearly two dozen other states are considering or debating bills to restrict or ban sex reassignment procedures as updated science continues to be released showing the irreversible effects of hormone-blocking drugs, gender reassignment surgeries, and other gender conforming medical intervention.
Utah Lawmaker Faces Vandalism
Utah State Senator Mike Kennedy’s home was vandalized after he sponsored a bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors in his state. The bill has since been signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox, making Utah the latest state to restrict gender surgery for minors.
Republican-led states are still pushing for more restrictions on these irreversible medical procedures and drugs, while Democratic lawmakers argue that children should be able to make their own decisions, even without their parents’ or guardians’ support despite being a minor.
Controversial? I guess if you are an advocate for child abuse, or have lost the use of all your mental faculties, it could be controversial. Kind of like, should convicted murderers be incarcerated for intentionally killing someone?
What do you expect from the party known for its pedophilia? Most states have strong laws on the books of what age a teen can consent to sexual activity. The Feds peg it at 18 years old. How can a 12 year old “choose” to take life altering decisions that will forever change their body.
I am not transphobic, and have no problem with a person’s personal choices. But we are talking about minors who in every other decision making (contracts, sexual activity, etc) cannot fully consent until 18 years old. The states that are incorporating the trans restrictions are merely following age old common sense for the issue.