A few days ago, a study indicated that the United States was the "most permissive" country in the world with sex change operations on minors. Utah Governor Spencer Cox is proving them wrong by announcing a ban on gender reassignment surgeries in children except in exceptional cases that are "clinically necessary."
This law, called S.B.16, is set to take effect on May 3. Utah is the first state to ban transgender surgeries on minors. Cox, a Republican, clarified his reasons for moving this legislation forward:
More and more experts, states and countries around the world are pausing these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences.
Today we signed SB 16, Transgender Medical Treatment and Procedures. pic.twitter.com/ER9UXsWewD
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) January 28, 2023
He added:
While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures.
In addition, the governor of Utah limited hormone therapy in children:
A health care provider may provide a hormonal transgender treatment to a minor only if the health care provider has been treating the minor for gender dysphoria for at least six months.
