Texas lawmakers proposed a bill to separate trans ******** from their families, labeling transgender care '***** *****'
The Texas state legislature is attempting to pass a bill that would separate trans ******** from their families for providing them with gender-affirming care.
SB1646 would prohibit parents from "administering or supplying, or consenting to or assisting in the administering or supplying of puberty suppression ************ **** or cross-sex hormone to a *****, other than an intersex *****, for the purpose of gender transitioning or gender reassignment."
The bill would change the state's definition of ***** ***** to include parents allowing trans minors to access hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and puberty blockers, two types of treatment commonly prescribed to trans minors by medical professionals.
Advocates like Adri Perez, a policy and advocacy strategist for the ACLU of Texas, say
the bill could cost trans ******** their lives if ******.
"Gender-affirming care is essential and life-saving care," Perez said in a video posted to Twitter. "Make no mistake,
restricting and even criminalizing access to healthcare for transgender people will cost lives."
Arkansas' state legislature ****** the country's first-ever transgender medical ban for minors on April 6, prohibiting trans youth from accessing puberty blockers, HRT, and surgeries. Approximately 17 other states like Florida and Louisiana are considering similar trans medical bans.
What makes the Texas bill unique is its proposed punitive measures focus on the families of trans ******** rather than medical providers. Texas is one of just two states (the other, New Hampshire) considering a trans medical ban that classifies gender-affirming care as ***** *****.
This could send trans ******** into the ****** care system if their families try to get them needed care.
Studies have shown that
the younger trans youth have access to gender-affirming care, the less likely they are to have depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations later in life.
Experts worry
if any of these bills pass, it could cause a mental health crisis for trans youth in these states.
"As you are removing access to medical care,
you're essentially saying 'we are okay with having these **** be at increased risk for suicide and self-harm and depression and anxiety,'" Dr. Alann Weissman-Ward, Medical Director for Plume,
previously told Insider.
