Utah’s Republican Governor, Spencer Cox, has signed into law a bill that prohibits gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors, following a recent trend of states considering similar legislation. The law, which was quickly prioritized by Republicans controlling Utah’s legislature, bans transgender surgery for minors and disallows hormone treatments for those who have not been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
In his statement, Governor Cox justified the decision by calling for a halt in “permanent and life-altering treatments” until more research can determine their long-term consequences. The ACLU, along with other organizations, called the bill “damaging” and a violation of constitutional rights, arguing that it restricts access to evidence-based treatments for gender dysphoria and undermines the ability of doctors and parents to fulfill their obligations.
This law, signed by Governor Cox, was sponsored by Republican State Senator Mike Kennedy, who works as a family doctor and believes that the government should oversee healthcare policies related to gender and minors.