Politicians or Parents?

Who should decide on gender-affirming care for minors?

On Wednesday, lawmakers in Texas voted to join a number of other states in passing legislation banning or severely restricting gender-affirming health care for transgender minors.

If signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the bill would ban most minors from receiving puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy and surgery. Doctors who violate the law could lose their license to practice medicine.

Those minors who have already begun treatment would have to be weaned off any treatment.

There is an exception, with parental consent, for children born with physical or genetic sexual development issues.

Lawmakers say it’s about protecting children from the consequences of life-altering decisions. Opponents say the law is about politics, not protection. They say it’s not the Legislature’s place to decide proper health care, that blanket bans such as this don’t take each individual case into consideration and that such decisions for minors should be left to parents and physicians.

We want to know what you think? Is the Texas Legislature right to ban almost all gender-affirming care for minors? Or should parents and physicians make those decisions?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, May 24. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.

Last Week: Documenting the Undocumented?

Last week’s question was about states issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Should states issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants? Or are you against the idea?

■ They are gonna drive with or with out it so if by allowing them to get one helps the state (money wise) why not? Cuz they are not free… I’m js