Tennessee Lawmakers Approve Bill to Penalize Adults Assisting Minors in Accessing Gender-Affirming Care
In a groundbreaking move, Tennessee lawmakers have approved a bill that criminalizes adults who assist minors in accessing gender-affirming care without parental consent. This first-of-its-kind proposal is now awaiting Governor Bill Lee’s signature, and supporters are confident that he will sign it into law.
The bill, which closely mirrors a previous “anti-abortion trafficking” proposal, aims to prevent adults from aiding young people in obtaining abortions without permission from their parents or guardians. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the broad application of the legislation, warning that even simple acts like discussing websites that provide gender-affirming care or helping a young person travel to a state with more lenient restrictions could be penalized.
This latest move is part of a larger trend in Tennessee, which has seen the enactment of more anti-LGBTQ+ laws than any other state since 2015. Over the past few months alone, the state has passed more than 20 bills that target LGBTQ+ rights. These include measures such as banning the use of state funds for hormone therapy or sex reassignment procedures for inmates (excluding those currently receiving hormone therapy) and requiring public school employees to disclose transgender students’ identities to their parents.
One particularly controversial law signed by Governor Lee earlier this month allows LGBTQ+ foster children to be placed with families that hold anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. This has led to criticism from advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign, who describe Tennessee lawmakers’ actions as a “staggering assault on their own constituents.”
Governor Lee, a Republican, has not publicly commented on either the gender-affirming care bill or the anti-abortion trafficking proposal. However, given his track record of supporting similar legislation, supporters are optimistic that he will sign both bills into law.
The passage of this bill in Tennessee is significant not only for the state itself but also for the broader LGBTQ+ community. It sets a precedent that could potentially be followed by other conservative states looking to restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors. As such, it is likely to spark further debate and legal challenges in the future.
In conclusion, Tennessee lawmakers have approved a bill that penalizes adults who assist minors in accessing gender-affirming care without parental consent. This move is part of a larger trend of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the state, positioning Tennessee as the leader in enacting such laws since 2015. The implications of this bill extend beyond Tennessee, potentially inspiring similar actions in other conservative states. As the LGBTQ+ community and its allies continue to advocate for equal rights, it remains to be seen how these laws will shape the future landscape of gender-affirming care for minors.
