Kentucky’s Republican lawmakers are working to pass a bill that would restrict gender-affirming care for minors. On Wednesday, the Senate scaled back the bill, but GOP leaders are struggling to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions. The fate of the bill is still up in the air, as lawmakers have until Thursday to pass it and override a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
The bill has faced strong opposition from those who believe it is discriminatory and would harm transgender youth. Supporters of the bill argue that they are trying to protect children from making irreversible, permanent changes to their bodies that they may regret later in life.
The latest amendment, offered by Republican Sen. Danny Carroll, would allow nonsurgical treatment options for transgender youths with parental consent, including reversible puberty blockers. However, surgical medical treatments would still be barred under his language.
The bill also includes several other layers, such as allowing teachers to refuse to refer to transgender students by their preferred pronouns and requiring parents to be given notice and an opportunity to review materials before content relating to sexuality is taught at their children’s school.
This year, state lawmakers across the country have approved measures against LGBTQ individuals, including bills targeting trans athletes, drag performers, and gender-affirming care. Republican governors in Mississippi, South Dakota, and Utah have all signed bans on gender-affirming care for minors this year.
The transgender bill’s fate remains uncertain as Kentucky’s Republican leaders struggle to reach a consensus. The debate has sparked strong emotions from both supporters and opponents of the bill, highlighting the ongoing culture war issues surrounding transgender rights.