The Pink Times
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    World NewsShow More
    Scottish Government Moves Transgender Woman Convicted of Rape Out of All-Female Prison
    January 26, 2023
    Lithuania’s Anti-LGBTQ Propaganda Law Ruled Violative of Human Rights
    January 26, 2023
    Prime Minister Kishida’s Cautious Approach to Same-Sex Marriage in Japan
    January 26, 2023
    Tony Dungy’s Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric: A Pattern of Intolerance
    January 26, 2023
    The Need for Self-ID Laws in Germany: A Step Towards Recognizing Transgender Rights
    January 26, 2023
  • Rights
    • Law
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Media
    Rights
    Show More
    Top News
    Kenyan LGBTQ activist’s body found in metal box
    January 6, 2023
    LGBTQ students would get new protections under Biden plan
    June 24, 2022
    ‘Love is love:’ Chile legalizes same-sex marriage in historic vote
    December 9, 2021
    Latest News
    Scottish Government Moves Transgender Woman Convicted of Rape Out of All-Female Prison
    January 26, 2023
    Lithuania’s Anti-LGBTQ Propaganda Law Ruled Violative of Human Rights
    January 26, 2023
    Prime Minister Kishida’s Cautious Approach to Same-Sex Marriage in Japan
    January 26, 2023
    The Need for Self-ID Laws in Germany: A Step Towards Recognizing Transgender Rights
    January 26, 2023
  • Culture
    • Activism
    • Art
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • Photography
    • Religion
  • Life
    • Education
    • Health
    Life
    Show More
    Top News
    LGBTQ students would get new protections under Biden plan
    June 24, 2022
    Analysis: Sex education becomes battlefield in U.S. culture war over LGBT+ rights
    September 8, 2021
    The different sexual orientations, and why the fight for rights continues
    September 9, 2021
    Latest News
    Discrimination and Harassment in Micanopy: A Small Town’s Struggle with LGBTQ+ Rights
    January 25, 2023
    Closing the Gap: Addressing HIV Prevention for Heterosexual Communities
    January 18, 2023
    The Feline Fascination: Is there a Link between Lesbians and Cats?
    January 16, 2023
    A Queer Reading of David and Jonathan: Challenging the Heteronormative Narrative
    January 15, 2023
  • Money
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • Sports
  • Shop
  • Support Us
Reading: Transgender youth reemerge as statehouse focal point in Utah
Share
Aa
The Pink Times
Aa
Search
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Rights
    • Law
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Media
  • Culture
    • Activism
    • Art
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • Photography
    • Religion
  • Life
    • Education
    • Health
  • Money
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • Sports
  • Shop
  • Support Us
Follow US
The Pink Times > Rights > Politics > Transgender youth reemerge as statehouse focal point in Utah
PoliticsUnited States

Transgender youth reemerge as statehouse focal point in Utah

The Pink Times
The Pink Times January 19, 2023
Updated 2023/01/19 at 6:21 PM
Share
Utah State Sen. Mike Kennedy, second from left, speaks with reporters on the opening day of the Utah Legislative Session at the Utah State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Kennedy, a Republican family doctor sponsoring the Utah proposal, told reporters that it didn't make sense that health care policy related to gender and youth, which is at times irreversible, would be subject to no government oversight. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Utah lawmakers wasted no time this week before returning to an issue that has become a popular topic in GOP-led statehouses: Trying to limit medical options doctors are allowed to provide transgender youth.

On the second day of the legislative session, a committee began considering a policy that would stop minors from receiving gender-affirming health care — including surgery or puberty blockers. They also began considering a proposal to require schools to notify parents when kids want to change which pronouns they go by, and another that would limit when transgender people under 18 can change the sex listed on their birth certificates.

Each measure advanced through the committee on a 5-2 party line vote.

The proposals reflect how lawmakers in red states continue to make matters related to gender, sexuality and youth central to their legislative agenda. As LGBTQ Americans become increasingly visible in popular culture, some social conservatives have rallied around issues such as the bathrooms that transgender kids can use, sports teams they are allowed to play on and the health care their doctors can prescribe.

This year, 11 states have introduced proposals that would enact restrictions on doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, hormones or surgery to transgender kids and teens, regardless of what their parents want. Republicans on Tuesday introduced a transgender health care proposal in South Dakota, where one supportive lawmaker called puberty a “natural cure” for gender dysphoria.

State Sen. Mike Kennedy, a Republican family doctor sponsoring Utah’s proposal, said it didn’t make sense that health care policy related to gender and youth — which is at times reversible and other times irreversible — would be subject to no government oversight.

He acknowledged the topic was emotional for the families of transgender youth, yet said it was government’s responsibility to address issues of children’s consent and development.

“Caring for our children does not mean riding the latest radical wave,” he said. “We must ask questions: Does the child understand the long-term ramifications of their decision?”

“We can’t allow social policy to outpace science,” he added, arguing for more research on gender dysphoria and noting how medical fields in countries such as Finland and Sweden have tightened regulations governing transgender youth health care.

Questions about transgender youth and their health care dovetail with another growing Republican priority: parental rights. Jeri Brummett, a transgender woman and member of the Salt Lake County Republican Party, called the proposal excessive governmental intervention into individual medical decisions.

The bill, she said, “purports to protect transgender minors from their doctors and parents, yet its real effect is to place this Legislature and our state government between parents, their children and their doctors.”

Greg Walker, a Utah parent whose daughter has identified as transgender “since she could talk,” said it was disheartening to see the health care decisions his family and their doctors have made politicized.

At each juncture – before she went on puberty blockers or estrogen, for example — the Walkers and their doctors thoroughly deliberated and relied on experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics to understand “the risks of doing it and not doing it.”

Walker said he was particularly concerned about the disproportionately high suicide rates for transgender youth and of the potential harm that could result in the absence of treatment.

“As a parent. my first priority is to take care of my child and make sure my child’s safe,” Walker said.

In Utah, where a majority of residents and politicians are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lawmakers have for years focused heavily on social issues, including pornography and alcohol. Last year, the Republican-supermajority Legislature enacted a ban on transgender kids in girls sports. It was subsequently challenged in court and put on pause. While the case undergoes review, a commission of experts is making eligibility decisions for transgender youth.

One concern that arose during discussions about eligibility decisions was the use of birth certificates to verify athletes’ sex because transgender people routinely apply to change them. The Utah Supreme Court affirmed their right to make the changes two years ago.

State Sen. Dan McCay, a Republican who led the charge for last year’s youth sports ban, said limiting the changes would help Utah enforce its youth sports policy and only affect minors. Opponents who testified at the hearing said identification document changes were an individual liberty issue and deeply emotional for transgender people who don’t want to out themselves on a daily basis.

TAGGED: GOP, transgender, Transgender youth, Utah

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts and more!
Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
The Pink Times January 19, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit VKontakte Telegram Email
Share
Previous Article Provorov was ‘free to decide’ to boycott Pride Night, says NHL
Next Article Jacinda Ardern’s Legacy: Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights in New Zealand
The High Cost of Drag Race: Queens Reveal How Much They Spent to Compete
Drag
Scottish Government Moves Transgender Woman Convicted of Rape Out of All-Female Prison
Law United Kingdom
Hot Photos of Ryan Gosling: The Ultimate Heartthrob
Movies People
Lithuania’s Anti-LGBTQ Propaganda Law Ruled Violative of Human Rights
Europe Law
Prime Minister Kishida’s Cautious Approach to Same-Sex Marriage in Japan
Asia Pacific Politics
Ad image
Join us!

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Shop with Pride

  • Haus and Hues Pride Artwork Rainbow Wall Art - Gay Pride Decor Rainbow Poster, Rainbow Office Decor, Pride Poster, Pride… $15
  • Lorrifal 925 Sterling Silver Colorful Pave Sparkling Cubic-Zircon Rainbow Simple Promise Ring Jewelry Gifts for Women… $15
  • 4 Pack Rainbow LGBT Pride Ring for Gay & Lesbian Stainless Steel LGBTQ Pride Wedding Engagement Adjustable Band for Men… $9
  • UTSANG Transgender Pride Rainbow LGBTQ Flag 3x5 Outdoor with Sewn Stripes Gay Pride Flags Heavy Duty Nylon for Pride… $13
  • Nylry 6mm Titanium Stainless Steel Rainbow Ring LGBT Pride Ring for Gay&Lesbian LGBT Ring for Wedding Engagement Size 6… $4

Related articles

LawUnited Kingdom

Scottish Government Moves Transgender Woman Convicted of Rape Out of All-Female Prison

The Pink Times The Pink Times January 26, 2023
Asia PacificPolitics

Prime Minister Kishida’s Cautious Approach to Same-Sex Marriage in Japan

The Pink Times The Pink Times January 26, 2023
SportsUnited States

Tony Dungy’s Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric: A Pattern of Intolerance

The Pink Times The Pink Times January 26, 2023
Previous Next

Most Viewed Posts

  • Be prepared to fall in love with Greg Austin: A visual journey
  • Alejo Ospina’s Sizzling Photos: The Gay Adult Film Star Taking Social Media by Storm
  • Watch: Jinkx Monsoon Delivers Masterful Jennifer Coolidge Impersonation on Late Night with Seth Meyers
  • What is the meaning behind the various LGBTQ+ flags?
  • Channing Tatum: The All-Around Entertainer and Sex Symbol – A Photographic Exploration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=88&v=PeJ19GBzJdA&ab_channel=ThePinkTimes
The Pink Times
Follow US

All rights reserved

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts and more!

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?