FILE - Dylan Brandt speaks at a news conference outside the federal courthouse in Little Rock, Ark., July 21, 2021. Brandt, a teenager, is among several transgender youth and families who are plaintiffs challenging a state law banning gender confirming care for trans minors. The nation’s first trial over a state’s ban on gender-confirming care for children begins in Arkansas on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, the latest fight over restrictions on transgender youth championed by Republican leaders and widely condemned by medical experts. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)
In Arkansas, on October 17th, the first trial on a state-wide ban proposed by Republican Leaders on gender-conforming care starts. The US District Judge had blocked the Arkansas law banning treatments for transgender youth, the Arkansas House Bill 1570, and a West Virginia ban on trans athletes in women’s sports last year. These were a few of the laws that were enacted last year by Republicans. The West Virginia law was signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice and was criticized by the Justice Department as unconstitutional. This ban was also supported by many major medical groups and the state Chamber of Commerce.
Lawmakers had overridden Gov. Asa Hutchinson's veto of the legislation. Hutchison who had also signed many laws that provided restrictions on transgender youth had argued this law went too far. Proponents of the law, such as republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. argue that it is within a state's right to regulate medical practices within the state and argues it protects people under 18 from making "life-altering, permanent decisions"
Last year Hutchinson also was quoted as saying “The act was too extreme and did not provide any relief for those young people currently undergoing hormone treatment with the consent of their parents and under the care of a physician. If the act would have been more limited, such as prohibiting sex reassignment surgery for those under 18, then I suspect the outcome would have been different.” This implies that these laws are possible and can target transgender people but just through different wording.
Similar laws have been blocked in Alabama and Texas and A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August upheld Moody’s preliminary injunction blocking the ban’s enforcement. But the state has asked the full 8th Circuit appeals court to review the case. This law may serve as a precedent for either side if it is upheld or declared unconstitutional and will have major effects wether or not it is declared unconstitutional.
https://apnews.com/article/health-arkansas-e56522c378fee681f155eb775566ea39
2 comments:
I find it funny that even with parental consent, kids cannot make decisions that they see fit for themselves. Adolescents in these states shouldn't be prohibited from making decisions on their own. It would be dangerous for transgender youth in these states to stop receiving treatement for their hormones and unethical. I am happy that a lot of people see these laws as unconstitutional.
Although supporters of the ban claim that they're protecting transgender youth from receiving irreversible, permanent medical treatment, I believe that this ban contributes to the discrimination trans youth already face and causes more harm than good. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shares that without access to gender-affirming treatment, youth are more likely to be at risk for suicidal ideation and mental health issues. Similar to Josh, I'm glad that the Justice Department and Hutchinson agree that the ban is unconstitutional, however, it's disheartening to hear that a multitude of laws have been enacted against transgender individuals.
Post a Comment