A statement from Planned Parenthood on HB 470 passing out of committee this morning
Extremist lawmakers in the Kentucky General Assembly are wasting no time in progressing one of the most egregious attacks on trans youth in the country.
Today, House Bill 470 advanced out of a specially called Judiciary Committee with 14 yes and 7 no votes. It is now headed to the House Floor for a full vote, which could take place as early as today.
HB 470 is a far-reaching bill that not only prohibits gender affirming care for individuals under the age of 18, but also threatens a broad range of health care providers with disciplinary actions and lawsuits. This could impact the ability to provide life-saving mental health counseling for suicidal youth.
Areas of HB 470 that aim to erase trans youth from the state of Kentucky include, but are not limited to: prohibiting courts from granting requested name changes or gender changes on birth certificates if the purpose is to affirm a minor’s gender; forced outing and de-transitioning of trans youth involved in the justice system by prohibiting the Department of Juvenile Justice from acknowledging a trans minor’s gender identity; and prohibiting all public funds from covering such procedures.
“The intent of this legislation is to mandate state-sanctioned gender policing of youth, “ said Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. “This bill ignores medicine, ignores science, and ignores humanity. It is beyond cruel and part of a nationwide, coordinated attack that puts trans kids in the center of their conservative culture war. Kentuckians want their kids to thrive and live full authentic lives, and for trans youth that means the ability to access gender affirming care.”
Gender affirming care for youth is safe, common, and life-saving, despite the misinformation spread by anti-trans activists. Anti-trans organizations, politicians, and influencers have spent years spreading sensationalized, inaccurate, stigmatizing information about gender affirming care. The American Medical Association has repeatedly opposed bills like HB 470, making clear that it is “imperative that transgender minors be given the opportunity to explore their gender identity under the safe and supportive care of a physician.”
Planned Parenthood is adamantly opposed to HB 470 because people of all gender identities deserve civil and human rights, including the right to high-quality, affordable, and nonjudgmental health care, as well as accurate information about their health care options.
Editor’s note: HB 470 also requires teachers and school counselors to out students to their parents, including for just asking questions or commenting about the student’s sexuality.
--30--
