Utah Bans Puberty Blockers and Gender Transitioning Surgeries for Minors

Utah governor Spencer Cox (R.), signed a bill Saturday prohibiting gender transition surgeries and the use of puberty blockers in minors.

Mike Kennedy, a state senator and family doctor, introduced the Transgender Medical Treatments and Procedures Amendments. “permanent and life-altering” Minors can receive gender transition treatments and the government bans all forms of puberty blocking drugs for those who are not yet diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

“While not a perfect bill, we are grateful for Sen. Kennedy’s more nuanced and thoughtful approach to this terribly divisive issue,” Cox stated this in a statement released Saturday. “More and more experts, states, and countries around the world are pausing these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences.”

Utah is the only state to have signed such a bill into law in this year’s calendar, but there are 10 other states with similar legislatures. prioritizing Similar bills were issued in the early weeks of their 2023 sessions.

“While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures,” Cox spoke.

The Republican-led Senate was passed with no opposition from the House. All Democratic representatives were opposed to the bill. As they voiced their opposition to this bill, Luz Escamilla (D.State Senator) and Jen Plumb(D.State Senator) wept.

“We will continue to work as a commitment of the Senate Democrats to work for good public policy,” Escamilla said.

American Civil Liberties Union of Utah petitioned The governor requested that the bill be vetoed, expressing concern. “the damaging and potentially catastrophic effects this law will have on people’s lives and medical care and the grave violations of people’s constitutional rights it will cause.”

“All of our intent is not to harm but to help. All of this is focused on the fact that we are trying to help children and families even though I deeply respect there are many that are not in agreement with that sentiment,” Kennedy In defense of the bill.