SB 16: Transgender Medical Treatments and Procedures Amendments

We oppose this legislation that bans physicians from performing affirming surgical procedures on transitioning minors. This bill also implements a moratorium, which in effect would be a ban, on future access to hormone treatment for new minor patients starting on May 3, 2023. This would deny access to life-saving care for transgender youth and cause irreparable harm to their physical and mental well-being. Further studies of hormone treatment, as required in this bill, are unnecessary as there is already a wealth of scientific evidence and consensus among major medical and professional organizations supporting hormone treatment for transgender youth. Additional requirements on providers under this bill place unnecessary burdens on providers and may discourage them from providing care for transgender youth.

The ACLU of Utah opposes this legislation and its restrictions on providing gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The bill, as amended, would have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of transgender youth in our state.

Status

Active

Session

2023

Bill number

S.B. 16

Position

Oppose

Understanding the Facts About Trans Youth Care

Are people under the age of 18 too young to consent to this care?

No, because trans youth are not making these decisions on their own.

Psychologists, psychiatrists, family physicians, and specialists work together with trans youth and their families to determine the best treatment for that young person. For minors, parents consent to treatment.

Is gender-affirming care too risky for young people?

All health care carries risks, and it is up to patients and their doctors to weigh those risks against the dangers of doing nothing.

Trans youth face severely high rates of mental distress and suicide, and gender-affirming care is the only evidence-based care proven to help.

What other options for care is their for transgender youth?

The only medically supported intervention for transgender people is to affirm their gender identity. 

Being transgender is not something that can or should be changed by external forces. That is why care must remain between the patient, their parents or guardians, and the individual medical professionals on the patient's care team, not politicians.

Being a kid is hard enough. We don’t need politicians making it even harder for kids who are transgender and singling them out for increased bullying and harassment. 