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Georgia Senate OKs changes to bill banning some gender-affirming care for trans youth

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  March 21, 2023 4:57pm EDT
Georgia
FOX 5 Atlanta

Georgia bill to ban some treatments for trans youth heads to Kemp's desk

A bill to ban some treatments for transgender youth is now headed to the governor's desk. The State Senate voted to agree to the House's version of Senate Bill 140 Tuesday.

ATLANTA - The Georgia Senate has approved the House's changes to a bill that would restrict some gender-affirming care.

SB 140 now heads to Gov. Brian Kemp's desk where the governor is expected to sign the bill into law.

Most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18 would be banned in Georgia under the measure. Doctors could still prescribe medicines to block puberty under the bill.

"What we're doing here is we're preventing minors under 18 years old from having irreversible changes in their lives," said state Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah.    

Opponents said the measure would hurt transgender children by requiring physicians to violate medical standards of care. They also said it would block parents from doing what they think is best for their children.

"In other states, we've seen bills like these are just the beginning. They're going to continue to get worse," said Adam Phillips, a transgender 15-year-old from Savannah.  

Republicans denied that they wished anyone harm, saying they had the best interest of children at heart, and wanted people to be able to obtain counseling. Supporters insisted the Georgia measure would protect children from making irreversible decisions before they have fully matured.

RALLY FOR TRANS RIGHTS TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE GEORGIA CAPITOL

Protesters pushback on transgender bill for those under 18

A bill working its way through the Georgia Legislature would prevent some gender-affirming care for those under 18 if passed by both chambers and signed by the governor. Monday, protesters showed their opposition to the measure.

The measure is part of a nationwide effort by conservatives to restrict transgender athletes, gender-affirming care and drag shows.

Judges have temporarily blocked laws limiting the treatment of transgender youth in Arkansas and Alabama, and opponents have suggested that such a law would be found unconstitutional by federal and state courts in Georgia.

Governors in Mississippi, Utah and South Dakota have signed similar bills.

"I do hope that the governor will think long and hard about the full implications of this politically-motivated bill that Georgians do not want," said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality.  

Supporters say transgender youth can then decide to pursue further measures after they are adults. But opponents say such an enforced pause is harmful.

Some conservative groups have been pushing for harsher restrictions, including bans on puberty blockers and criminal penalties for doctors who violate the bill.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.