Nebraska lawmakers hear hundreds of sex-alteration proceedings

LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska) — Hundreds of Nebraska citizens gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday to testify on the controversial Let Them Grow Act.

LB 574 was introduced by Omaha Senator Kathleen Kauth.

It would ban anyone under the age of 19 from undergoing sex-altering procedures, including surgery and drugs.

Doctors, parents, and those who transitioned testified on both sides of the bill.

“The truth is, medical transition is experimental, it’s dangerous, and it doesn’t cure anything,” said Scott Newgent, who has undergone transition procedures.

Supporters of the bill have said children are too young to make irreversible medical decisions.

“Never before in history have so many young men been rushed to hormone blockers, chest binders and double mastectomies as they are now,” said Mario Presents with Gays Against Groomers. “Children are not an experiment, nor will we allow them to become lifelong drug addicts.”

But those in opposition said the decision was best left to families and doctors.

Isabella Manhart, who testified against the bill, said her younger brother is transgender.

He said suicide attempts in transgender youth are high and denying the procedures would push the numbers further.

“I’m not exaggerating when I say that gender-affirming health care helps save lives,” Manhart said. “That someone can look at my little brother and think he deserves less than the basic human right to access health care that supports his needs is absolutely heartbreaking.”

Supporters of the bill have said gender-altering surgeries and drugs are too experimental.

They said giving families time to consider options is better in the long run.

“Instead of flooding children’s bodies with puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and mutilating their bodies, let’s focus on providing better mental health care,” said Tiffany Frost.

Other supporters of the Let Them Grow Act have argued that society imprints trends and beliefs on young children, causing them to question their gender identity.

But Rachel Ogborn, a mother opposed to the bill, testified about her own experience with her transgender daughter.

“If anyone is imposing anything on her, it’s whoever passes this bill,” Ogborn said. “By denying her medical care, they would be forcing their ideals and desires on my daughter. It is not the job of any legislator to tell my children’s doctor that she cannot have health care ”.

Tags: drugs, gender affirming healthcare, gender altering procedures, isabella manhart, LB 574, Legislature, Let Them Grow Act, mario presents, Nebraska, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Transgender Bill, puberty blockers, rachel ogborn, scott newgent, Sen. Kathleen Kauth, sex-altering procedures, sex-altering surgery, surgery, tiffany frost, Transgender, transgender youth

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