Montana State Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe recently came under fire for her comments during a floor debate regarding legislation to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors in the state. Seekins-Crowe, a Republican, suggested that she would prefer her daughter to commit suicide than to allow her to transition. While she did not explicitly state that her daughter identified as transgender, the comment drew backlash online and ignited the ongoing debate about transgender rights and medical care.
During her remarks in March, Seekins-Crowe spoke of her own experience as a parent to a suicidal daughter for three years. She stated that she was not going to give in to her daughter’s emotional manipulation and that she had to make the right decisions for her daughter’s life. Seekins-Crowe’s comments have since gone viral after an account called The Intellectualist shared it on Twitter, paraphrasing her statement and adding fuel to the already heated debate.
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California took to Twitter to criticize Seekins-Crowe’s speech. He strongly disagreed with her comments but also noted that it should not be the government’s role to make personal decisions for families. Meanwhile, Montana House Republicans voted to censure Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s first transgender legislator, after she spoke out against the anti-trans measure.
The issue of gender-affirming care for transgender minors has become a highly contentious topic in many states, with lawmakers introducing various bills to limit or ban access to such medical care. Seekins-Crowe’s comments have brought the issue to the forefront, with advocates for transgender rights condemning her remarks.
If signed into law, the Montana bill would ban gender-affirming medical care for minors, such as hormone therapy or surgery, and subject doctors who provide such care to legal action. Governor Greg Gianforte has signaled his intention to sign the legislation, although he has proposed amendments, which would force the bill to go back to the Legislature.
The ongoing debate over transgender rights and medical care highlights the need for continued education and understanding of transgender individuals and their experiences. As the conversation continues, it remains essential to ensure that all individuals, including transgender individuals, receive the care and support they need.