Gov. Kemp signs bill that bans some medical procedures for transgender children

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a controversial bill into law Thursday that bans doctors from providing certain medical procedures to children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The new law goes into effect in July.

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Doctors could lose their licenses if they provide hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery to children under 18. Doctors will still be permitted to provide puberty blockers.

The new law does not apply to intersex children.

“Parents should have the right to choose medical treatment for their children,” said Leondardo Hinnant.

Hinnant is 18 now. He started hormone treatment at 13 and had surgery at 15.

“This issue is really medical. It’s about what should be between a patient and a doctor and not the government. I don’t need a lawmakers to understand how I feel. All I need is me and my doctor to understand how I feel,” said Hinnant.

On the other side of the debate, Mack Parnell with Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition wrote:

“While we greatly appreciate the thoughtful work of the Georgia Legislature and Governor Kemp on this important issue, we are hopeful that in the future we will be able to strengthen language in the bill that could go even further in protecting our children.”

Republican Lammaker Carden Summers said Thursday afternoon that the bill prevents doctors from performing irreversible procedures on children.

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“We’re just trying to protect the children,” said Sen. Summers.

SB 140 is known as the Transgender Health Bill.

Georgia Equality’s Jeff Graham said lawsuits are likely the next step to stop the law.

“If they want to file suit, they’ll probably get a much stricter bill,” said Sen. Summers.

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