BREAKING: Georgia legislature BANS child sex changes

On March 17, 2023, SB 140 passed the state house with an amendment that allows for doctors to be sued civilly and criminally for violating the law. On Tuesday, the bill passed with the amendment in the State Senate and is heading to Governor Brian Kemp's desk, where he is expected to sign. Monday Trans Rights activists filled the capital as the Governor issued remarks in support of the bill.

There are critics on both sides of the argument. One being that the bill fails to block the use of puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria. Some argue that doctors won’t prescribe puberty blockers without the ability to put them on cross-sex hormones at 16, so the bill still meets the intent. The bill also allows for treatments for this where deemed “medically necessary”, and some feel this will be used as a loophole for doctors. On the other side, there are arguments that this takes away “life-saving” treatment from these children.

The controversial bill passed by a vote of 31 to 21, along party lines with 4 non-votes.

Melissa Jackson, the chief operating officer and Georgia chapter lead for No Left Turn In Education who had this to say “We are very pleased today that the Georgia Senate prioritized the safety and well being of our minor children over ideological perspectives that are not grounded in science. No Left Turn in Education would have also liked for the bill to prohibit puberty blockers for minor children. Hopefully next session the Georgia Assembly can strengthen this bill by providing these important protections.”

Many countries around the world have begun to reverse course on their treatments. In the United Kingdom, they determined that evidence for transitioning minors is “very low.” the United States has been slow to acknowledge the adverse effects these drugs may have on minors.

However, the passage of SB 140 in Georgia comes on the heels of Florida and Kentucky passing a similar bill last week, and seven other states have passed similar measures to protect minors this year. The Human Rights Campaign has a list of 340 bills across the country that they see as “anti-trans” legislation..

This also comes as Detransitioner Chloe Cole officially filed a lawsuit against the doctors who allowed her to begin transitioning at just 13 years old. This week Layla Jane, another detransitioner, also announced her letter of intent to sue the same doctors as Cole for performing a double mastectomy on her at 13.

Georgia State Senator Carden Summers was reached for comment.