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Alabama passes bill that makes some transgender health care a felony


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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: People protest US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he plans to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals from serving in any capacity in the US military, in Times Square, New York City, New York, USA, July 26, 2017. REUTERS /

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By Maria Caspani

(Reuters) – Alabama lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill that would criminalize sex-affirmative health care for transgender youth, with the threat of 10 years in prison for providers provide medical services.

The act, passed 66-28 by the state House of Representatives on the last day of the legislative session, is the latest in a series of measures in Republican-led states dealing with transgender youth. gender.

The American Civil Liberties Union called it the first bill of its kind to make healthcare for transgender youth a felony and said it would challenge the bill in court if the Republican governor Peace Kay Ivey signed into law.

The bill http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableIosystemments/2022RS/PrintFiles/SB184-eng.pdf would make it a felony penalty with up to 10 years in prison for providing services Medical care includes hormone treatment, puberty blockers, and sex reassignment surgery for minors.

Minority Democrats tried to counter the bill in part by arguing that it contradicted Republican principles about the role of government.

“This is not a small government; this is not a conservative bill,” Democratic Representative Neil Rafferty told the panel.

But Republican Representative Wes Allen likened the initiative to legislation that prevents minors from getting tattoos or buying nicotine-containing products.

“We make decisions in this body to protect children from decisions that could permanently harm them,” says Allen.

Ivey has not said whether she will sign the bill, but last year she signed an injunction banning transgender athletes from participating in school sports. Ivey’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The bill would also require school staff to disclose to a parent or legal guardian that “a minor’s perception of his or her gender or gender identity is inconsistent with the minor’s gender identity.”

Last week, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill banning irreversible sex reassignment surgery for minors.

Mainstream mental health and medical experts say sex-affirming care saves lives by reducing the risk of depression and suicide. According to medical experts, sex reassignment surgery for people under the age of 18 is extremely rare and will only take place after many years of treatment as long as the patient’s wishes do not change.

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly opposed the bill and called on Ivey to veto it.

“This act targets vulnerable young people and puts them at great risk of physical and mental harm,” said Mark Del Monte, the academy’s executive director, in a statement. . “The criminalization of medically necessary, evidence-based services is very dangerous.”

The Alabama state senate also passed a bill requiring public school students to use bathrooms or locker rooms that match the gender on their original birth certificates. An amendment has been attached to the bill, which must now return to the House of Commons for a vote, to ban classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in certain classes.

Transgender rights have emerged as one of the top issues in the culture war ahead of midterm congressional elections in November. Lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills across agencies. state legislatures, most of which concern transgender youth.

Many Republicans and conservative activists promote the legislation as safeguards for children and parents’ rights. Opponents, including Democrats and LGBTQ+ organizations, say the law is harmful, unnecessary and unfair targeting vulnerable and underrepresented communities.



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