A new Georgia bill signed into law on Thursday by Governor Brian Kemp will prohibit most gender-affirming surgery and hormone replacement therapy for transgender persons under 18. Brian Kemp will be speaking on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Senate Bill 140 was approved by the Georgia legislature despite protests from Democrats and LGBTQ advocates. This bill has been one of the most controversial in Georgia’s 2023 legislative session. Kemp signed the bill privately, and without the ceremonial use by the governor to celebrate the signing of new laws.
Kemp stated in a statement that he appreciated the hours of respectful debate and deliberation of General Assembly members that led to the bill’s final passage. “As Georgians and parents, and elected leaders, it’s our highest responsibility to ensure the bright and promising futures of our children — and SB 140 is an important step towards fulfilling that mission.”
It is part of a national effort by conservatives restricting transgender athletes and gender-affirming services. Similar bills have been signed by the Mississippi governors, Utah governors, and South Dakota governors.
Opponents claim that the law violates parents’ rights and is unconstitutional. After Kemp signed the law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia stated that it would use “every legal tool at our disposal” in order to prevent it from becoming effective. At least temporarily, judges have blocked legislation restricting gender-affirming treatment for transgender youth in Arkansas or Alabama.
Under the Georgia bill doctors may still be allowed to prescribe medications to stop puberty. However, Republicans argue that restrictions on other treatments are necessary to keep children from regretting later. The law goes into effect July 1st and allows minors to continue hormone therapy.
Opponents claim the measure is based on disinformation and a desire for a new front to the culture war to please conservative Republican voter. They argue that it targets vulnerable children and interferes with private medical decisions.
A clause that protected physicians from civil and criminal liability was removed from the bill. This change was pushed by conservative groups, who wanted people who regret their treatment to have the right to sue their doctor. However, it is not clear how large this group might be.
Opponents claimed that the measure would harm transgender children and force physicians to disregard medical standards. Republicans were also accused of abandoning their previous advocacy for parents’ rights to choose.
Parents and transgender youth strongly lobbied against this bill in recent weeks. They warned that lawmakers were further marginalizing an already vulnerable group that is prone to take their own lives at alarmingly high rates.
Republicans denied wishing harm to anyone, saying that they were in the best interests of children and wanted counseling to be available to all.
