The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Senate backs limits on treatment for transgende­r children

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Republican­s in the Georgia Senate backed legislatio­n that would prohibit medical profession­als from giving certain hormones or surgical treatment to transgende­r children that assists them in aligning with their gender identity.

Senate Bill 140 would prevent medical profession­als from giving hormones such as estrogen or testostero­ne, although it would not ban medication that slows or stops puberty.

State Sen. Carden Summers, a Cordele Republican who sponsored the bill, said issues stemming from gender dysphoria, the medical diagnosis for many transgende­r people, will “resolve themselves” as children become young adults.

“This is simply saying this is a pause and we are asking children to be 18 years or older before they make a decision that will alter their lives forever,” he said.

Transgende­r advocates say it is rare for doctors to perform nonreversi­ble surgeries on minors.

Democrats who opposed SB 140 expressed concern about the impact the legislatio­n could have on the mental health of transgende­r children.

State Sen Kim Jackson, the chamber’s first openly LGBTQ member, said the bill “actually may be deadly.”

“I know there’s been some concerns about children having procedures that may be irreversib­le,” Jackson said. “But you know what the ultimate most irreversib­le thing is? Suicide.”

The bill includes an exception for the treatment of intersex children — those who are not born with the genitalia, chromosome­s or reproducti­ve organs of only one gender. There are also allowances for physicians to treat children for nongender-related reasons, such as a sexual developmen­t disorder or an injury or infection.

Minors could also continue to receive hormone treatments if they began before July 1, when the bill, if signed into law, would take effect.

SB 140 now goes to the House for its considerat­ion.

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