Rep Gabe Firment (R) Grant Parish
The Republican controlled House approved a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing gender transition procedures on minors. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment said several surrounding states have passed similar bans and several European countries also restrict gender-affirming care.
“England, Sweden, and Finland have completely reversed course on this issue, and are now recommending counseling and watchful waiting as opposed to the use of dangerous and experimental drugs and invasive and irreversible surgeries.”
But the American Academy of Pediatrics supports gender-affirming healthcare. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry made the point that this point of care can be life saving for an individual with gender dysphoria.
“The level of suicide amongst these children is four times higher than other children. Did you know that?”
Gender transition procedures include hormone treatments, gender reassignment surgery or puberty blockers. Firment said these types of treatments can lead to sterilization and loss of sexual function.
“Children do not have the maturity or the mental capacity to fully understand the consequences of these experimental procedures.”
But Gretna Representative Joe Marino said this legislation actually harms transgender youth.
“If you really want to help kids, first of all just acknowledge that they exist, that transgender kids are seen, they belong, and they are loved.”
Firment’s “Stop Harming Our Kids Act” was approved on 71-24 vote mainly along party lines. It’s one of four major anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the Legislature.
Comments