PIERRE, SD — A group of South Dakota Republican lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that would eliminate gender-based health care for transgender youth, pushing the state to join with at least another dozen are considering anti-transgender legislation this year.
South Dakota’s bill, unveiled at a Capitol news conference, aims to prevent children under 18 from accessing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy or surgery that allows them to express their gender different from the sex on the birth certificate. It would also punish doctors who provide care by revoking their medical licenses and taking them to civil court.
South Dakota Republicans have long considered bills to limit the health care, school facilities and sports teams that transgender youth can access. Laws banning transgender girls and college-age women from participating in sports that match their gender went into effect after the Legislature passed it last year.
While other proposals aimed at transgender youth have had mixed success at the Republican-controlled Statehouse, critics say even the introduction of these proposals sends a message. harmful to transgender children.
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“Gender affirmative care is an important part of helping transgender youth succeed in school, establish healthy relationships with their friends and family, and really, really stay true to who they are.” theirs,” said Democratic Representative Erin Healy.
But Republican Representative Jon Hansen, one of the lawmakers pushing for the bill, argued that puberty is a “natural cure” for gender dysphoria, which is the painful feeling of expression. someone’s gender doesn’t match their gender identity.
“This is a mental health issue that needs to be addressed,” said Republican Representative Bethany Soye, the bill’s lead sponsor.
Samantha Chapman, advocacy manager for South Dakota’s ACLU, said in a statement that lawmakers who proposed the bill were spreading “lies and misinformation” about transgender people.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health said last year that teenagers with gender dysphoria can start taking hormones at 14 and possibly have some surgeries at 15 or 17. The group acknowledges the potential risks but says it is unethical to refuse early treatment, which can improve psychological well-being and reduce suicide risk.
Still, conservative state lawmakers around the country have targeted transgender healthcare. Last year, Arkansas and Alabama passed similar bans. But both were blocked by federal court.
“Every year, South Dakota legislators target transgender youth,” Chapman said. And every year, the transgender community is hurt while meaningful issues go unresolved.”
