Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has recently approved restrictions on gender transition treatments for individuals under the age of 19, joining other conservative states in enacting regulations for “gender-affirming” procedures for minors. This move has sparked concern, particularly among advocates of more widespread access to these procedures.
The new law, called the Let Them Grow Act, mandates that transgender individuals under the age of 19 must complete 40 hours of therapy before being granted puberty blockers or hormonal prescriptions. Additionally, there is a seven-day waiting period before minors can receive these prescriptions. Once they have access to puberty blockers or hormonal prescriptions, minors are required to undergo one hour of therapy every three months to assess their mental health.
Governor Pillen, a Republican, defended the law by stating that it aims to protect children from making potentially irreversible decisions that they may not fully understand the consequences of. He emphasized the importance of allowing children to grow up and develop to their full potential.
However, critics argue that the law is harmful to transgender minors who may require gender-affirming care. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska released a statement condemning the law, asserting that it ignores the concerns raised by affected young people, their families, and their medical and mental health providers. They argue that gender-affirming care is often recognized as life-saving and endorsed by major medical organizations.
Nebraska is not the only state implementing restrictions on transgender procedures for minors. Conservative states such as Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida have gone even further by making it a felony to provide gender-transition prescriptions or perform surgical procedures for minors. On the other hand, several states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and New York, have enacted laws protecting these procedures and prescriptions for transgender individuals.
The debate surrounding transgender rights and access to gender-affirming care continues to divide the nation. While some argue for the protection of children from potentially irreversible decisions, others advocate for the recognition of transgender individuals’ rights to necessary medical procedures. As more states take a stance on this issue, it remains to be seen how the landscape of transgender healthcare will evolve.
