Republican efforts to limit gender reassignment treatments hit a roadblock in three states on Wednesday. Kansas lawmakers failed to overturn a Democratic governor’s veto on a bill banning minor care, the Justice Department sued Tennessee over a new ban, and Missouri judges ruled out transgender people. Temporarily blocked enforcement of emergency rules restricting treatment of children. and adults.
Nationwide, transgender rights have emerged as a crucial legislative issue this year, with Republicans enacting sweeping new restrictions in the states they control. Laws or policies have been passed in recent months banning or severely restricting the use of puberty blockers, sex reassignment hormones and sex reassignment surgery.
In recent weeks, new bans have been signed in Idaho, Indiana and North Dakota, and similar policies are being considered in other states.
But Wednesday’s vote in the Kansas Senate led Laura to a bill that would revoke the medical licenses of doctors who provided gender reassignment care to children and allow those who received that treatment as children to sue them. Governor Kerry’s veto was upheld… In Missouri, a state judge blocked the new restrictions, which were due to go into effect Thursday, until at least Monday evening.
And in Tennessee, the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit, claiming that a ban on transsexual care for minors signed into law earlier this year by Republican Governor Bill Lee violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. rice field.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark said, “The right to discuss one’s health and medically approved treatment options with family members and physicians is a right that everyone, including transgender children, should have, especially those with depression. It puts them at serious risk of illness, anxiety and suicide.” The head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement.
Lee called the lawsuit “at its worst, federal overreach” and said the state would defend the law in court.
As Republicans push for new restrictions on transgender rights, such as banning access to restrooms and sports teams, the measures will allow children to make life-changing medical decisions they may later regret. It claims to be protected from dropping
Kansas Republican Senator Mark Stephens said, “Unfortunately, sometimes when parents go astray, when the health care system goes astray, we in the legislature have to be the last line of defense. .
But LGBTQ rights groups have criticized the policy as a bigoted attack and contrary to best medical practice.
Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, support transsexual care, and the ban poses serious mental health risks to young people, violating not only their rights but those of doctors and parents. said.
The Republican-majority Kansas legislature was unable to overrule Mr. Kelly’s veto on banning transsexual care, but both houses of Congress voted for another, among other things, to call for prisons to have separate facilities. Voted to overturn Kelly’s opposition to the bill. For inmates based on the sex assigned at birth.
Most of the national changes came through legislation, but Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey tried to use the state’s consumer protection law to limit transitional measures. It was to enter into force on February 6, 2024. Unlike many other attempts this year to limit gender reassignment treatments, Bailey’s restrictions would have applied to minors as well as adults. .
Bailey, who took office in January and is aiming to run for election by the end of his term, said when he announced the rules this month, there should be sufficient guardrails around transitional care. effects and risks.
The Attorney General’s rule did not seek to prohibit transitional care, but required that new patients undergo at least 18 months of treatment by a psychologist or psychiatrist before undergoing puberty-blocking drugs or surgery. We have imposed restrictions that include
After hearing debate on the rule Wednesday afternoon, a state judge has postponed enforcement until at least Monday evening. He said he needs time and plans to issue a ruling by Monday in response to a request for a temporary restraining order from an LGBTQ advocacy group.
Emily Cochrane contributed to the report.