Georgia Lawmakers Threaten the Rights and Lives of Trans Youth by Voting to Ban Their Health Care

Photo: ACLU of Georgia Facebook page

ATLANTA — Ignoring the warnings of parents, medical providers, and transgender youth themselves, Georgia’s House of Representatives advanced a bill today that would ban gender-affirming health care for anyone under 18. Next, the bill goes back to the state senate to vote on an addition that subjects physicians to harsh penalties if they provide this care for transgender and nonbinary youth. A vote could happen as soon as Monday and the bill could then be sent to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp.

“This is one more example of Georgia lawmakers interfering with medical decisions that people should be able to make in consultation with their own families and their own physicians,” said Andrea Young, executive director of the ACLU Georgia. “The idea that these youth are being pushed into harmful therapies is an insult to their parents who are working very hard to get the best care for their children and to the doctors who are dedicated to providing that care. Politicians harm us all when they interfere with medical judgment and block access to standard-of-care treatment and therapies.”

A letter signed by more than 500 medical providers across Georgia who work with and support transgender and nonbinary youth, highlighted the harmful impact of SB 140. Similar measures have been roundly condemned by leading pediatric and public health experts, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Similar laws passed in Arkansas and Alabama are currently enjoined by federal courts.

Source:  ACLU of Georgia