Now that my reprint week is over, and I am nearly caught up on my blog, I am going with straight-up shares with literal or no commentary for the next week or more, except, maybe, for Music Monday.
The goal is always that the blog is sustainable, so I would like to get caught up and get ahead.
When I saw this news item on my RSS feed, I was appalled, disgusted, and sadly, not surprised.
This action is vile and hateful.
Utah just became the first state of 2023 to ban gender-affirming care https://t.co/QTbWBkPyk7 via @MotherJones
— gmrstudios (@gmrstudios) January 29, 2023
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/01/utah-just-became-the-first-state-of-2023-to-ban-gender-affirming-care/
Utah Just Became the First State in 2023 to Ban Gender-Affirming Care
It’s probably not the last.
by Julia Lurie
On Saturday, Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation banning gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth and placing an indefinite moratorium on hormone treatment for minors who haven’t yet been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
While Utah is the first state of 2023 to limit gender-affirming care, it is not likely the last: A barrage of state bills brought by Republican lawmakers this year seeks to control the lives of transgender children. More than 150 such bills are being considered in at least 25 states, according to the New York Times, including proposals to ban transitional health care, restrict drag shows, and prevent teachers from using the names and pronouns that match the gender identities of their students.
Some of the bills, which are backed by longtime GOP operatives and Christian nationalist groups, have nearly identical language, suggesting a common template. Those organizing the legislative push include the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Family Policy Alliance, the American Principles Project, and the Heritage Foundation.
“This is a political winner,” said Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, a conservative think tank, according to the Times. Schilling argued that more midterm voters might have come out had Republicans not “shied away” from the issue.
Last year, Gov. Cox made headlines when he vetoed a bill that would have limited the participation of transgender kids in school sports. But in a statement about the recent legislation, he argued for pausing “permanent and life-altering treatments.” He added, “While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, 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.”
Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association, agree that gender-affirming care is key to improving health outcomes for transgender individuals, especially youth. Such care is associated with dramatically reduced rates of suicide, depression and anxiety, and substance use.
In a letter on Friday, the ACLU of Utah urged Cox to veto the bill. “By cutting off medical treatment supported by every major medical association in the United States, the bill compromises the health and well-being of adolescents with gender dysphoria,” it read. “It ties the hands of doctors and parents by restricting access to the only evidence-based treatment available for this serious medical condition and impedes their ability to fulfill their professional obligations.”
Sen. Mike Kennedy, the Republican lawmaker and family physician who sponsored the bill, expects the legislation to be litigated. “I’m afraid that I’m going to be working on this for the rest of my political life,” he said on the state Senate floor.
A legal review by Utah’s state legislature, obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune, suggested that the legislation could be deemed unconstitutional if brought before a federal court.
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2302.02 - 10:10
- Days ago = 2771 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
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