Utah has become the first state of 2023 to restrict minors from receiving gender-affirming care. The bill, signed by Governor Spencer Cox on Saturday, bars minors from accessing puberty blockers, hormones, and surgical procedures related to gender affirmation.
Governor Cox stated that legislation that concerns minors demands a “careful consideration and deliberation.” He acknowledged that the bill was not perfect, but said it was a “more nuanced and thoughtful approach” to a highly controversial issue.
Governor Cox also mentioned that various states and countries are temporarily pausing gender-affirming care for new patients, pending additional research to understand the long-term effects of such treatments. Other states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, and Tennessee, have already passed measures limiting access to gender-affirming care for minors.
Despite the ban, Governor Cox has pledged to provide more resources to organizations that support the transgender community in Utah. He said, “we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures.”
The new law prohibits doctors from performing surgical procedures on minors for the purpose of gender reassignment. It also mandates medical providers to consider alternative treatments and to evaluate any physical or mental health conditions before providing gender-affirming care. Starting January 1st of next year, providing hormonal treatment to a transgender minor without proper certification will be considered “unprofessional conduct.”
The LGBTQ Victory Institute, which works to promote LGBTQ representation in government, vehemently criticized the ban, saying it was a result of the lack of LGBTQ representation in government. Currently, Utah has only one openly LGBTQ state lawmaker.