Tennessee passes anti-trans bill to ‘intimidate families of transgender youth’
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Lawmakers in Tennessee have passed a controversial anti-trans bill that LGBTQ+ organizations in the state say is designed to intimidate families of transgender youth. The bill, known as S.B. 2782, prohibits adults from taking children to other states to obtain gender-affirming care without their parents’ consent.
The legislation, which has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates, appears to be rooted in a baseless conspiracy theory that suggests trans adults are attempting to “turn” children trans by kidnapping them. In reality, it is seen as yet another attack on the LGBTQ+ community by the state of Tennessee, which recently allowed officials to refuse to solemnize marriages without providing a reason.
The bill, which is now awaiting the governor’s signature, amends a previous ban on gender-affirming care for minors that was implemented in 2023. It imposes civil penalties on any adult who aids an unemancipated minor in receiving out-of-state gender-affirming care without parental consent.
Despite the controversial nature of the bill, it does contain exemptions for parents, guardians, and individuals with parental or guardian consent. Additionally, transport personnel such as bus drivers, airline pilots, and ride-share app drivers are also exempted from the provisions of the bill.
The bill passed the Tennessee House of Representatives by a margin of 63-16 and had previously been approved by the Senate with a vote of 25-4. An earlier version of the bill reportedly included criminal penalties for adults, but these were removed during committee discussions.
In response to the passing of the bill, LGBTQ+ charity leaders have emphasized to parents of trans and non-binary youth that the law does not prohibit them from seeking gender-affirming care for their children out of state. Many LGBTQ+ parents have been forced to travel outside of Tennessee to access such services since the state implemented its initial ban on gender-affirming care.
Molly Quinn, executive director of OUTMemphis, expressed support for families seeking gender-affirming care for their children, stating, “OUTMemphis has provided navigation assistance for families seeking gender-affirming care for youth since the ban on care for minors passed last year. Above all, we want these families to know help is available and that you don’t have to fear leaving the state to get your child the care that they need.”
OUTMemphis and Campaign for Southern Equality released a joint statement reassuring families that trans and non-binary children can still legally receive gender-affirming care at clinics located out-of-state.
Adam Polaski, communications and political director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, condemned the bill as an attempt to intimidate families of transgender youth. He stated, “It’s obvious that the Tennessee legislature is trying to intimidate families of transgender youth – piling additional fear onto the mountain of financial and logistical burdens that parents are grappling with in the face of the existing healthcare ban in Tennessee. But we want to be clear: This development does not block parents from travelling with their child out of state to access the healthcare they need and deserve.”
The passing of this anti-trans bill in Tennessee has sparked significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and organizations, who are urging continued support for families seeking gender-affirming care for their children. Despite the challenges posed by such legislation, efforts are being made to ensure that transgender and non-binary youth continue to receive the necessary care and support they deserve.
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