FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2022
CONTACT
Lindsay Kee, 615-320-7142
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today a bill that would have prohibited gender-affirming health care for trans minors was sent to a general subcommittee, stopping it from proceeding any further this year.
SB 2696/HB 2835 would have also required government officials to report a student's gender or sexual identity to parents and encouraged mental health professionals to discriminate against LGBTQ youth.
A wealth of research shows that denying best-practice medical care and support to transgender youth can be life-threatening. Empirical data also shows that trans youth with untreated dysphoria experience vast differences in quality of life compared to their cisgender peers, but that medical transition can bridge this gap significantly.
Henry Seaton, ACLU of Tennessee transgender justice advocate:
"We applaud lawmakers' decision not to advance this dangerous bill, which would have led to the direct harm – and even death – of trans children across the state by making it impossible for them to access life-giving medical care that allows them to lead an authentic life. Stopping this bill is a huge step in the right direction for our young trans people, signaling that change is possible, that their lives are infinitely valued, and that they belong in the state of Tennessee. We will continue to push our government to value trans people in all aspects of life."
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