Georgia Senate bill bans some transgender care for youth

Sen. Sally Harrell, D-Atlanta, speaks in opposition of SB 140 in the Senate Chambers during Crossover Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. The bill prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

The Georgia Senate has passed a bill to bar some kinds of gender-affirming care in the state for anyone younger than 18, overriding impassioned pleas from a Democratic state senator who is the mother of a transgender son.

The 33-22 vote on Monday to pass Senate Bill 140, with all Republicans backing the measure, is part of a nationwide effort by conservatives to restrict transgender athletes, gender-affirming care and drag shows.

The bill, which advances to the House for more debate, would ban most gender-confirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for people under 18. However, unlike laws adopted in some other states, it would still allow doctors to prescribe medicines to block puberty.