This past month, Arkansas became the first state to explicitly ban gender affirming surgery and treatment for transgender youth. The Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act relies on the conservative thinking that transgender youth are simply “experimenting.” However, the implications of this bill are dire. There is a predicted rise in youth suicide and depression rates as youth will now be denied gender-affirming treatment until they turn 18.
The bill was initially vetoed by Republican Arkansas governor, Asa Hutchinson. He reasoned that it was a “vast government overreach.” The bill also fails to account for youth currently undergoing treatment. However it was overturned by the state legislature in a majority vote. Their rationale was that in some situations, the state needed to intervene to protect minors. Similar instances would include preventing minors from getting tattoos and smoking.
Despite compelling research indicating that gender affirming therapy yields best results when started younger, Arkansas chose to implement relatively transphobic ideologies. The act is explicitly called “Experimentation” despite this being far from the truth. This new bill also comes in a wave of transphobia regarding many states trying to bar transgender athletes from competing.
Overall, this wave of transphobia sweeping over the country inevitably sacrifices the lives of thousands of youth simply trying to embrace their identity.
Comments