TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — Kansas lawmakers have officially passed legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors.
The Kansas House voted 70-52 to pass a bill requiring the state’s medical board to revoke the licenses of doctors who provide gender-affirming care to minors, even though many professionals who deal with transgender youth see such care as vital for the preservation of mental health and to prevent suicides. The Senate then voted 23-12 to approve the measure, sending it to Gov. Laura Kelly.
The governor is expected to veto it, having promised LGBTQ youth during a Statehouse lobbying day last month that she would protect their rights and reject any measure “that aims to harm or discriminate against you.” Supporters do not have the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto.
Some Republicans argued that gender reassignment services come with harmful side effects for children.
“What happens here is when a child is confused of what is their gender, then gender reassignment clinics will often prescribe puberty blockers, and then after that, cross-sex hormones, and after that, possibly surgery. The side effects can be sterilization, permanent voice changes, cardiovascular problems, and we all know that children change their minds,” said Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita.
While some Republicans are backing the bill, Democrats argued that it’s another GOP-led attack on transgender youth in the state.
Rep. Lindsay Vaughn held back tears as she made an emotional speech on the House floor.
“When will we stop attacking trans kids? Where will we draw the line? Because people are dying, trans kids are dying. Gender-affirming care saves lives,” Vaughn said.
The Senate would need 27 votes to override the veto, and the House would need 84 votes.
