North Dakota legislators recently advanced a number of anti-transgender bills in their latest legislative session, including a bill that would make it illegal to provide gender-affirming health care to minors. The bill would make gender-affirming surgery a Class B felony, with up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000, and make provision of puberty blockers or hormone treatment a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 360 days in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.
North Dakota lawmakers also passed two bills barring transgender girls and women from participating in female sports, one affecting K-12 public schools and the other dealing with public colleges and universities. Opponents said the legislation is unnecessary, and that transgender students have been playing sports consistent with their gender identity for decades, with rules in states across the country that balance fairness and inclusion for everyone.
Medical organizations, however, do not consider gender-affirming treatments experimental, and LGBTQ+ advocates and allies point out that they are often lifesaving. “Gender-affirming care is suicide prevention,” said Democratic Rep. Karla Rose Hanson. “You might not understand why a person feels this way. You might not agree with their choices to identify differently, but let parents make these decisions for their kids.”
The anti-trans legislation in North Dakota follows similar legislation in other states, including Alabama and Arkansas, where laws are currently blocked by court action, and most recently, South Dakota and Utah (by legislation) and Florida (through action by medical boards). Advocates for transgender rights have condemned these bills, stating that they are discriminatory and unjustified, and that they harm vulnerable populations.
