Oklahoma becomes 16th Republican state to outlaw puberty blockers and sex change surgery for children under 18
- It is now a felony for health care workers to give children puberty-blocking drugs
- Oklahoma joins at least 15 other Republican states with laws banning such care
Oklahoma has become the 16th Republican state to outlaw puberty blockers and sex change surgery for children under 18.
Republican Gov Kevin Stitt signed a bill on Monday that makes it a felony for healthcare workers to provide pharmaceutical interventions for children with gender dysphoria.
There are concerns among Republican lawmakers about the lack of long-term safety data, which has seen other countries like the UK and Scandinavia restrict access too.
Mr Stitt, who was reelected in November, made the ban a priority of this year’s legislative session, saying he wanted to protect children.
Transgender advocates and parents of transgender children say such care is essential and improves patients’ mental health.
Stitt signed bills last year that prohibit transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams and prevent transgender children from using school bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity.
He said in a statement released after the signing: ‘Last year, I called for a statewide ban on all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors, so I am thrilled to sign this into law today and protect our kids.
‘We cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening across our nation, and as governor, I am proud to stand up for what’s right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma.’
The bill Stitt signed on Monday makes it illegal to provide gender-transition medical care for anyone under the age of 18. Such treatment can include surgery as well as hormones and drugs that suppress or delay normal puberty.
Several civil liberty organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, have promised to ‘take any necessary legal action’ to prevent the law from taking effect.
