The restriction on HRT and gender-affirming surgery for transgender minors were signed into law on Saturday by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, making Utah the first state to forbid such treatment in 2023.
In particular, Senate Bill 16 forbids “sex-characteristic surgical procedures on a minor to effectuate a sex change” and “hormonal transgender treatment to new patients who were not diagnosed with gender dysphoria” before the bill went into effect. These restrictions apply to trans youth seeking medical care in Utah.
Additionally, as part of SB16, the Department of Health and Human Services must “make recommendations to the Legislature” after conducting “a systematic evaluation of the medical data supporting hormonal transgender therapies.”
The measure, according to Cox, is not “perfect.” Still, more and more specialists, states, and nations are delaying these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help identify the long-term effects.
While acknowledging that those who disagree with us won’t find much solace in what we have to say, Cox continued, “We genuinely hope that as we try to understand better the science and implications underlying these surgeries, we can treat our transgender families with more compassion and respect.”
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“Trans kids are kids – they deserve to grow up without relentless political attacks on their life and health care,” the Utah branch of the ACLU tweeted in response to the bill. The group stated, “We will defend that right.” “We notice you. We Are With You.”
Until this past weekend, Cox had not publicly expressed his backing or criticism of the legislation. The governor previously garnered attention in 2022 when, citing suicide rates, he vetoed a law that prohibited trans athletes from participating in girls’ sports.
Cox once stated in a letter to the state’s legislative leaders, “Rarely has so much dread and wrath been aimed at so few.” “I cannot comprehend their plight or the reasons behind their emotions. However, I hope they live, “Added him. The legislature ultimately overrode Cox’s veto.
Early gender-affirming care is essential to the overall health and wellbeing- of trans and nonbinary youth, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “as it allows the child or adolescent to focus on social transitions and can increase their confidence while navigating the healthcare system.”
The battle over trans-Americans’ rights hasn’t stopped, as more and more states are passing laws that limit or outright ban access to healthcare, forbid trans persons from playing sports that correspond with their gender identities, and more.
According to experts, a trans youth’s access to gender-affirming care may be a matter of life or death. While the average youth suicide rate in the U.S. is 9%, a 2022 UCLA study found that over 51% of female-to-male respondents had attempted suicide. This finding was made in a study published in the journal Pediatrics.
According to studies, gaining access to medical transition services can significantly enhance the quality of life for transgender people. Gender transition improved the overall wellbeing of trans respondents in 93% of the studies, according to a What We Know Project study of 56 peer-reviewed articles.
Nevertheless, according to The Hill, more than a quarter of states tried to pass legislation that would severely limit or altogether prohibit access to gender-affirming care for trans adolescents in 2022.
Additionally, at least nine states, including Utah, have already pre-filed 20 laws that focus on transgender medical care. Keep an eye on us for more information like this, Digitalnewsexpert.com.
