State Senate Committee Hears Comments on Bill to Ban Texas Gender Affirming Child Care

Austin, Texas. The State Capitol held a public hearing Thursday night on a bill that would ban several types of gender-affirming care for Texas children.

Senate Bill 14 bans puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transitional surgery for minors under the age of 18.

It will also revoke the licenses of doctors who provide such care to children and block the use of public funds in these institutions.

Proponents say it keeps kids from making life-changing decisions they’ll later regret.

“You can still care and believe that the child needs to get this problem resolved, but there are other ways to do it,” said Senator Donna Campbell (R-N.B.), the author of the bill, during a hearing on Thursday on SB 14 on the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Some Democrats on the committee fought back.

“Ninety-seven and a half percent of kids who say . “So why are we in government trying to get between them and their decision?”

Legislators heard both invited and public testimony, and by noon more than 100 people had signed up to speak.

“The medical professionals who did this to me abandoned me, and the trans community abandoned me,” testified Prisha Mosley, who supports SB 14. harm. stay.”

Opponents argue that gender-affirming care can save lives.

“Studies have shown that gender-affirming health care reduces suicidality, depression and anxiety, as well as increases self-confidence and body awareness,” said Dr. Megan Mooney, a licensed Houston-based psychologist who opposes SB 14. .

LGBTQ+ advocacy group Texas Equality held a rally against SB 14 at the Capitol earlier in the day. They believe that SB 14 is unfairly targeting transgender Texans.

The Senate State Affairs Committee did not vote on the bill on Thursday, but completed public appearances. The bill remains in committee and a vote may later be taken to bring it to the full Senate.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who presides over the Texas Senate, named SB 14 one of his top 30 priorities for the 2023 legislative session.

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