The Georgia Senate on Tuesday voted to ban most medical treatments that help transgender kids affirm their gender identity. Senate Bill 140 now heads to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for his signature on a measure that’s drawn some of the most emotional debate of the session.
The bill was approved by the Senate 31-21 on party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. The measure would prohibit providing hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery to minors. Doctors and health care providers who don’t comply could lose their licenses and potentially be exposed to criminal or civil liability.
Opponents of SB 140 cited the consensus of nearly every major medical and mental health association in favor of gender-affirming health care. They also cite the potential harm the ban could cause to transgender youth. And a group of over 500 medical professionals across Georgia released an open letter last week expressing their opposition to the bill.
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