FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2023
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Governor Abbott Signs Dangerous Bill Banning Transgender Affirming Care for Youth
(Austin, TX) – This weekend, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 14, a disastrous bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, into law.
This bill, which goes into effect September 1st, has several implications for Texas minors. It prevents access to gender-affirming surgeries, puberty blocking medication, and hormone therapies. Additionally, health care professionals who provide gender-affirming care to transgender youth will have their licenses revoked.
Those already receiving medical care would be able to wean off their medications over time and “in a manner that is safe and medically appropriate” with the help and advice of their doctor. Fourteen other states have enacted similar restrictions, but Texas would be the largest state to do so. There are nearly 3,400 transgender youth between the ages of 13-17 in Texas, making up about 1% of that age range’s population.
In response, Travis Evans, Southern Regional Director at Young Invincibles said:
“It is devastating to see legislators use politics as a weapon to overrule the bodily autonomy of young Texans. Senate Bill 14 is detrimental to the well-being of trans youth and young people across the state. Nearly one in five transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in the last year, removing access to gender affirming care will only negatively impact LGBTQ+ Texans.
Legislators have tried several attempts to regulate and refuse care to transgender Texans. This bold act of transphobia is repulsive and disheartening. No one should have to leave their own state to be able to access the medical services they need to be who they are and live their fullest lives.
Criminalizing gender-affirming care is putting trans youth at risk and sending the message they are not welcome in their home state. Trans youth belong and they deserve equal access to the health care services they need.
Young Invincibles opposes any effort to create barriers to health care access for young people. The health and well-being of Texas youth should be a priority, not restricting access to life-saving care. We cannot allow politicians to try to legislate trans youth out of existence.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org