Global Courant 2023-05-02 09:37:02
Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma has banned all sex reassignment procedures for minors in the state, including irreversible sex reassignment surgeries and hormone therapies, joining at least 15 other states with similar laws.
The Republican governor signed SB 613 Monday, making it a felony for health care workers to give children under age 18 sex surgeries, puberty-suppressing drugs or hormone doses that suppress or delay normal puberty. It also prohibits the use of drugs or surgical procedures for the purpose of gender reassignment.
Violators may have their medical licenses revoked or face civil prosecution by a parent or guardian.
“Last year I called for a ban on all irreversible gender transition surgery and hormone therapies on minors, so I’m excited to sign this into law today and protect our children,” Stitt said. “We can’t close our eyes to what’s happening in our country, and as governor, I’m proud to stand for what’s right and ban life-changing transitional surgery on children in the state of Oklahoma.”
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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed SB 613 into law Monday, which restricts gender reassignment procedures for children up to age 18 in the state. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The law comes amid a broad wave of states across the country tackling the legality of gender reassignment procedures.
Republican-led states have pushed for restrictions or bans on such procedures, arguing that children under 18 — who are legally incapable of getting a tattoo, smoke or drink — are not old enough to think about the consequences of potentially life-changing decisions.
Democratic-led states have argued that the decision to reassign a child’s gender should be left to the child’s discretion, with or without the support of their parents or guardians.
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The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma and other civil liberties organizations have pledged to “take all necessary legal action” to prevent the Oklahoma law from being passed.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has called for a ban on all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies for minors. (Chris Kleponis/Polaris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
At least 16 states have now enacted laws restricting or banning underage sex surgery, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, South Dakota and West Virginia .
Ongoing lawsuits have blocked enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas.
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Nearly two dozen states are considering or debating bills this year to limit or ban sex reassignment procedures.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed child welfare officials to investigate reports of children undergoing gender reassignment as child abuse. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
In addition, Florida, Missouri, and Texas have banned or restricted medical procedures to change one’s gender through regulation or administrative orders.
A judge blocked Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order in part because it required child welfare officials to investigate reports of children undergoing gender reassignment as child abuse. These studies were blocked.
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Missouri is the only state to restrict such procedures for both children and adults. A federal judge has blocked these restrictions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
