The “Let Them Grow” bill draws many divided witnesses
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska) – Dozens of people marched through the halls of the Capitol Wednesday afternoon to testify on what is being called the “Let Them Grow Act”.
The bill, LB 574, addresses controversial transgender issues.
It would ban gender-altering procedures on minors, and it’s a subject that has elicited strong emotions from people on both sides of the testimony.
State Senator Kathleen Kauth, who introduced the bill, said it would protect children with gender dysphoria from harmful procedures.
“As adults, we understand that a child’s brain is not fully formed and cannot understand the consequences of making irreversible medical decisions,” Kauth said.
The bill would ban puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender reassignment procedures until a person turns 19, making it illegal for doctors to perform such procedures or prescribe hormone or puberty blockers to anyone under the age of 19. 19 years.
Doctors who break the law could be punished by the state licensing board, and the parent or patient could sue the doctor in civil court if they regret the procedure.
A witness, Luka Hein, proves that regret.
“I was just a teenager who needed real help, not surgery,” Hein said. “I needed the chance to grow up safely, but it was taken away from me in the name of gender-affirming care.”
Doctors opposing the bill said giving minors access to drugs like puberty blockers, which are reversible, helps them make decisions about gender reassignment surgeries.
“By buying them and their family valuable time to make decisions about whether or not they should get additional treatment without feeling rushed into making a decision,” said Dr. Elizabeth Constance.
Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, OutNebraska and the ACLU hosted a rally in the Capitol rotunda in support of trans youth and access to gender-affirming care with approximately 100 people in attendance.
Those naysayers said decisions about procedures should be left to the patient, his parents and his doctors.
The Sarpy County – Latest News:
Omaha Local News || Nebraska State News || Crime and Safety News || National news || Tech News || Lifestyle News
